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Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else may begin to live in it. <a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/20.htm">New Living Translation</a> “Then the officers of the army must address the troops and say, ‘Has anyone here just built a new house but not yet dedicated it? If so, you may go home! You might be killed in the battle, and someone else would dedicate your house. <a href="/esv/deuteronomy/20.htm">English Standard Version</a> Then the officers shall speak to the people, saying, ‘Is there any man who has built a new house and has not dedicated it? Let him go back to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man dedicate it. <a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Furthermore, the officers are to address the army, saying, “Has any man built a new house and not dedicated it? Let him return home, or he may die in battle and another man dedicate it. <a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/20.htm">King James Bible</a> And the officers shall speak unto the people, saying, What man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it. <a href="/nkjv/deuteronomy/20.htm">New King James Version</a> “Then the officers shall speak to the people, saying: ‘What man is there who has built a new house and has not dedicated it? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man dedicate it. <a href="/nasb_/deuteronomy/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> The officers also shall speak to the people, saying, ‘Who is the man that has built a new house but has not dedicated it? Let him go and return to his house, otherwise he might die in the battle and another man would dedicate it. <a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/20.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220The officers also shall speak to the people, saying, &#8216Who is the man that has built a new house and has not dedicated it? Let him depart and return to his house, otherwise he might die in the battle and another man would dedicate it. <a href="/nasb77/deuteronomy/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “The officers also shall speak to the people, saying, ‘Who is the man that has built a new house and has not dedicated it? Let him depart and return to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man dedicate it. <a href="/lsb/deuteronomy/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> The officers also shall speak to the people, saying, ‘Who is the man that has built a new house and has not dedicated it? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man dedicate it. <a href="/amp/deuteronomy/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a> The officers shall also speak to the soldiers, saying, ‘What man is there who has built a new house and has not yet dedicated it? Let him go and return to his house, otherwise he might die in the battle and another man would dedicate it. <a href="/csb/deuteronomy/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> “The officers are to address the army, ‘Has any man built a new house and not dedicated it? Let him leave and return home. Otherwise, he may die in battle and another man dedicate it. <a href="/hcsb/deuteronomy/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> The officers are to address the army, &#8216Has any man built a new house and not dedicated it? Let him leave and return home. Otherwise, he may die in battle and another man dedicate it. <a href="/asv/deuteronomy/20.htm">American Standard Version</a> And the officers shall speak unto the people, saying, What man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it. <a href="/cev/deuteronomy/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Then the tribal officials will say to the troops: If any of you have built a new house, but haven't yet moved in, you may go home. It isn't right for you to die in battle and for somebody else to live in your new house. <a href="/erv/deuteronomy/20.htm">English Revised Version</a> And the officers shall speak unto the people, saying, What man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it. <a href="/gwt/deuteronomy/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> The officers should tell the troops, "If you have built a new house but not dedicated it, you may go home. Otherwise, you might die in battle, and someone else will dedicate it. <a href="/gnt/deuteronomy/20.htm">Good News Translation</a> "Then the officers will address the men and say, 'Is there any man here who has just built a house, but has not yet dedicated it? If so, he is to go home. Otherwise, if he is killed in battle, someone else will dedicate his house. <a href="/isv/deuteronomy/20.htm">International Standard Version</a> "Furthermore, let the officials ask the army, 'Is there a man here who has built a new house but has not yet dedicated it? Let him go back home. Otherwise, he may die in battle and another man dedicate it. <a href="/net/deuteronomy/20.htm">NET Bible</a> Moreover, the officers are to say to the troops, "Who among you has built a new house and not dedicated it? He may go home, lest he die in battle and someone else dedicate it. <a href="/nheb/deuteronomy/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> The officers shall speak to the people, saying, "What man is there who has built a new house, and has not dedicated it? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it. <a href="/wbt/deuteronomy/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And the officers shall speak to the people, saying, What man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he should die in the battle, and another man should dedicate it.<div class="vheading2">Majority Text Translations</div><a href="/msb/deuteronomy/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Furthermore, the officers are to address the army, saying, “Has any man built a new house and not dedicated it? Let him return home, or he may die in battle and another man dedicate it. <a href="/web/deuteronomy/20.htm">World English Bible</a> The officers shall speak to the people, saying, “What man is there who has built a new house, and has not dedicated it? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/deuteronomy/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And the authorities have spoken to the people, saying, Who [is] the man that has built a new house and has not dedicated it? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in battle and another man dedicate it. <a href="/ylt/deuteronomy/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And the authorities have spoken unto the people, saying, Who is the man that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? -- let him go and turn back to his house, lest he die in battle, and another man dedicate it. <a href="/slt/deuteronomy/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And the scribes spake to the people, saying, What man who built a new house and consecrated it not? be shall go and turn back to his house, lest he shall die in the war, and another man shall consecrate it.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/deuteronomy/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And the captains shall proclaim through every band in the hearing of the army: What man is there, that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it. <a href="/cpdv/deuteronomy/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Likewise, the officers shall proclaim, throughout every company, in the hearing of the soldiers: ‘What man is there who has built a new house, and has not dedicated it? Let him go and return to his house, lest perhaps he may die in the battle, and another man may dedicate it. <a href="/nabre/deuteronomy/20.htm">New American Bible</a> Then the officials shall speak to the army: “Is there anyone who has built a new house and not yet dedicated it? Let him return home, lest he die in battle and another dedicate it. <a href="/nrsvce/deuteronomy/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Then the officials shall address the troops, saying, “Has anyone built a new house but not dedicated it? He should go back to his house, or he might die in the battle and another dedicate it.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/deuteronomy/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Then the scribes shall speak to the people, saying, What man is there who has built a new house, and has not dedicated it? Let him return and go to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it. <a href="/hpbt/deuteronomy/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And the Scribes will say to the people: 'Who is the man who built a new house and has not dedicated it? Let him return, let him go to his house, lest he be killed in war and another man will dedicate it.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/deuteronomy/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And the officers shall speak unto the people, saying: 'What man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it. <a href="/sep/deuteronomy/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And the scribes shall speak to the people, saying, What man is he that has built a new house, and has not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the war, and another man dedicate it. <a href="/parallel/deuteronomy/20-5.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IRhBtZaVxJ0?start=5516" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/20.htm">Laws of Warfare</a> …4For the LORD your God goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.” 5<a href="/hebrew/7860.htm" title="7860: haš·šō·ṭə·rîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Active participle of an otherwise unused root probably meaning to write; properly, a scribe, i.e. an official superintendent or magistrate.">Furthermore, the officers</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: wə·ḏib·bə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConjPerf-3cp) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">are to address</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: hā·‘ām (Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">the army,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">saying,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4310.htm" title="4310: mî- (Interrog) -- An interrogative pronoun of persons, as mah is of things, who?; also whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix.">“Has any</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: hā·’îš (Art:: N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">man</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1129.htm" title="1129: bā·nāh (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To build. A primitive root; to build.">built</a> <a href="/hebrew/2319.htm" title="2319: ḥā·ḏāš (Adj-ms) -- New. From chadash; new.">a new</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: ḇa·yiṯ- (N-ms) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">house</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">and not</a> <a href="/hebrew/2596.htm" title="2596: ḥă·nā·ḵōw (V-Qal-Perf-3ms:: 3ms) -- To train up, dedicate. A primitive root; properly, to narrow; figuratively, to initiate or discipline.">dedicated it?</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: yê·lêḵ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">Let him return</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: wə·yā·šōḇ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjImperf.Jus-3ms) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: lə·ḇê·ṯōw (Prep-l:: N-msc:: 3ms) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">home,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6435.htm" title="6435: pen- (Conj) -- Lest. From panah; properly, removal; used only adverb as conjunction, lest.">or</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: yā·mūṯ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">he may die</a> <a href="/hebrew/4421.htm" title="4421: bam·mil·ḥā·māh (Prep-b, Art:: N-fs) -- A battle, war. From lacham; a battle; generally, war.">in battle</a> <a href="/hebrew/312.htm" title="312: ’a·ḥêr (Adj-ms) -- Another. From 'achar; properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc.">and another</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: wə·’îš (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">man</a> <a href="/hebrew/2596.htm" title="2596: yaḥ·nə·ḵen·nū (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms:: 3mse) -- To train up, dedicate. A primitive root; properly, to narrow; figuratively, to initiate or discipline.">dedicate it.</a> 6Has any man planted a vineyard and not begun to enjoy its fruit? Let him return home, or he may die in battle and another man enjoy its fruit.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/luke/14-18.htm">Luke 14:18-20</a> But one after another they all began to make excuses. The first one said, ‘I have bought a field, and I need to go see it. Please excuse me.’ / Another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out. Please excuse me.’ / Still another said, ‘I have married a wife, so I cannot come.’ <a href="/matthew/22-4.htm">Matthew 22:4-5</a> Again, he sent other servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner. My oxen and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’ / But they paid no attention and went away, one to his field, another to his business. <a href="/1_corinthians/7-33.htm">1 Corinthians 7:33</a> But the married man is concerned about the affairs of this world, how he can please his wife, <a href="/proverbs/24-27.htm">Proverbs 24:27</a> Complete your outdoor work and prepare your field; after that, you may build your house. <a href="/nehemiah/6-3.htm">Nehemiah 6:3</a> So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it to go down to you?” <a href="/1_kings/8-66.htm">1 Kings 8:66</a> On the fifteenth day Solomon sent the people away. So they blessed the king and went home, joyful and glad in heart for all the good things that the LORD had done for His servant David and for His people Israel. <a href="/2_samuel/7-10.htm">2 Samuel 7:10</a> And I will provide a place for My people Israel and will plant them so that they may dwell in a place of their own and be disturbed no more. No longer will the sons of wickedness oppress them as they did at the beginning <a href="/isaiah/65-21.htm">Isaiah 65:21</a> They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit. <a href="/jeremiah/29-5.htm">Jeremiah 29:5</a> “Build houses and settle down. Plant gardens and eat their produce. <a href="/1_kings/4-25.htm">1 Kings 4:25</a> Throughout the days of Solomon, Judah and Israel dwelt securely from Dan to Beersheba, each man under his own vine and his own fig tree. <a href="/micah/4-4.htm">Micah 4:4</a> And each man will sit under his own vine and under his own fig tree, with no one to frighten him. For the mouth of the LORD of Hosts has spoken. <a href="/zechariah/3-10.htm">Zechariah 3:10</a> On that day, declares the LORD of Hosts, you will each invite your neighbor to sit under your own vine and fig tree.’” <a href="/1_corinthians/7-29.htm">1 Corinthians 7:29-31</a> What I am saying, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; / those who weep, as if they did not; those who are joyful, as if they were not; those who make a purchase, as if they had nothing; / and those who use the things of this world, as if not dependent on them. For this world in its present form is passing away. <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-3.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:3</a> a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to break down and a time to build, <a href="/1_thessalonians/4-11.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:11</a> and to aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And the officers shall speak to the people, saying, What man is there that has built a new house, and has not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it.the officers<a href="/deuteronomy/1-15.htm">Deuteronomy 1:15</a> So I took the chief of your tribes, wise men, and known, and made them heads over you, captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, and captains over fifties, and captains over tens, and officers among your tribes.<a href="/deuteronomy/16-18.htm">Deuteronomy 16:18</a> Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.<a href="/numbers/31-14.htm">Numbers 31:14,48</a> And Moses was wroth with the officers of the host, with the captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, which came from the battle… dedicated<a href="/nehemiah/12-27.htm">Nehemiah 12:27</a> And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps.<a href="/psalms/30-1.htm">Psalm 30:1</a> A Psalm and Song at the dedication of the house of David. I will extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/deuteronomy/20-3.htm">Battle</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/13-16.htm">Built</a> <a href="/numbers/6-12.htm">Dedicate</a> <a href="/numbers/18-6.htm">Dedicated</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/15-13.htm">Depart</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-12.htm">Die</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/15-20.htm">House</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/18-4.htm">New</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/16-18.htm">Officers</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-6.htm">Otherwise</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-2.htm">Speak</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/deuteronomy/20-6.htm">Battle</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-20.htm">Built</a> <a href="/judges/17-3.htm">Dedicate</a> <a href="/judges/17-3.htm">Dedicated</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-6.htm">Depart</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-6.htm">Die</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-6.htm">House</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/22-8.htm">New</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-8.htm">Officers</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-6.htm">Otherwise</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-8.htm">Speak</a><div class="vheading2">Deuteronomy 20</div>1. <a href="/deuteronomy/20-1.htm">The priest's exhortation to encourage the people to battle</a> 5. <a href="/deuteronomy/20-5.htm">The officers' proclamation of who are to be dismissed from the war</a> 10. <a href="/deuteronomy/20-10.htm">How to use the cities that accept or refuse the proclamation of peace</a> 16. <a href="/deuteronomy/20-16.htm">What cities must be devoted</a> 19. <a href="/deuteronomy/20-19.htm">Trees must not be destroyed in the siege</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/deuteronomy/20.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/deuteronomy/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/deuteronomy/20.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Furthermore, the officers are to address the army, saying, In ancient Israel, the role of officers was crucial in maintaining order and conveying God's commands to the people. This phrase highlights the importance of leadership and communication within the military context. The officers acted as intermediaries, ensuring that God's laws were followed, reflecting the theocratic nature of Israelite society where civil and religious duties were intertwined.“Has any man built a new house and not dedicated it? Building a new house was a significant event in ancient Israel, symbolizing stability and future prosperity. The dedication of a house involved a ceremonial act, often including prayer and offerings, to consecrate the dwelling to God. This reflects the cultural importance of acknowledging God's provision and blessing in personal and communal life. The act of dedication ensured that the home was set apart for holy purposes, aligning with the broader biblical theme of sanctification.Let him return home, This provision underscores the value placed on family and personal responsibilities in Israelite society. It reflects a compassionate aspect of the law, recognizing the importance of completing personal commitments before engaging in communal duties like warfare. This principle is consistent with the biblical emphasis on the family unit as foundational to society, as seen in other scriptures that prioritize family obligations (e.g., <a href="/1_timothy/5-8.htm">1 Timothy 5:8</a>).or he may die in battle and another man dedicate it. The concern here is both practical and spiritual. Practically, it acknowledges the reality of mortality in warfare and the potential for unfinished personal affairs. Spiritually, it reflects the belief that God is sovereign over life and death, and that one's life should be in order before facing the uncertainties of battle. This provision also serves as a reminder of the transient nature of life and possessions, echoing themes found in Ecclesiastes and the teachings of Jesus about the impermanence of earthly treasures (e.g., <a href="/matthew/6-19.htm">Matthew 6:19-21</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/o/officers.htm">Officers</a> Leaders or officials responsible for addressing the army and ensuring that the soldiers are prepared for battle, both physically and spiritually. 2. <a href="/topical/a/army.htm">Army</a> The collective group of Israelite soldiers preparing for battle, representing the people of God. 3. <a href="/topical/m/man_with_a_new_house.htm">Man with a New House</a> An individual who has recently built a house but has not yet dedicated it, highlighting a personal and significant life event. 4. <a href="/topical/d/dedication_of_the_house.htm">Dedication of the House</a> A cultural and religious practice where a new home is consecrated, signifying the importance of family and home life in Israelite society. 5. <a href="/topical/b/battle.htm">Battle</a> The context in which these instructions are given, emphasizing the reality of warfare and the need for readiness and focus.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/p/prioritizing_responsibilities.htm">Prioritizing Responsibilities</a> The passage emphasizes the importance of fulfilling personal and familial responsibilities before engaging in communal or national duties. This teaches us to prioritize our commitments and ensure that our personal affairs are in order before taking on additional responsibilities. <a href="/topical/f/focus_and_readiness.htm">Focus and Readiness</a> The instruction to allow those with unfinished personal business to return home underscores the need for focus and readiness in spiritual and physical battles. We are reminded to address distractions and ensure we are fully prepared for the tasks God sets before us. <a href="/topical/g/god's_care_for_individuals.htm">God’s Care for Individuals</a> This verse reflects God's concern for the individual well-being of His people, acknowledging personal milestones and ensuring that they are not overlooked in the pursuit of larger goals. It teaches us that God values our personal lives and commitments. <a href="/topical/c/community_and_support.htm">Community and Support</a> By allowing individuals to return home, the community supports each member's personal needs, fostering a culture of care and mutual support. This encourages us to be attentive to the needs of others within our community.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_deuteronomy_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 20</a> <a href="/q/bible's_view_on_house_dedication.htm">What does the Bible say about house dedication?</a> <a href="/q/who_is_known_as_the_weeping_prophet.htm">What does the Bible say about house dedication?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'you_shall_not_covet'_mean.htm">What does 'You Shall Not Covet' mean?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_psalm_15_5_align_with_deut._23_20.htm">Psalm 15:5 forbids charging interest; how does this align with other Old Testament passages that allow interest to foreigners (e.g., Deuteronomy 23:20)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/deuteronomy/20.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(5) And the officers.--The shoterim of <a href="/deuteronomy/16-18.htm" title="Judges and officers shall you make you in all your gates, which the LORD your God gives you, throughout your tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.">Deuteronomy 16:18</a>; the civil magistrates apparently. The organisation of Israel was not military, but military leaders were to be appointed for special services, as appears by <a href="/deuteronomy/20-9.htm" title="And it shall be, when the officers have made an end of speaking to the people that they shall make captains of the armies to lead the people.">Deuteronomy 20:9</a>, "they shall make captains of the armies." The captains of thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens were called shoterim (<a href="/deuteronomy/1-15.htm" title="So I took the chief of your tribes, wise men, and known, and made them heads over you, captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, and captains over fifties, and captains over tens, and officers among your tribes.">Deuteronomy 1:15</a>).(5-8) What man is there . . .--These questions show that, primarily, all Israelites of military age (20 to 50) were expected to attend the muster; then those who were unprepared for the campaign were suffered to depart. The only recorded instance of the observance of these rules is in <a href="/judges/7-3.htm" title="Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand.">Judges 7:3</a>, at the muster of Gideon's army. The proclamation "Whosoever, is afraid let him depart," sent away 22,000 out of 32,000 on that occasion, or rather more than two-thirds of the army!<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/deuteronomy/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 5-7. - The officers; the shoterim, the keepers of the genealogical tables (<a href="/deuteronomy/16-18.htm">Deuteronomy 16:18</a>). It belonged to them to appoint the men who were to serve, and to release those who had been summoned to the war, but whose domestic relations were such as to entitle them to exemption. If there was one who had built a house, but had not dedicated it, i.e. by taking possession of it and dwelling in it; or if there was one who had planted a vineyard and had not eaten of the fruit thereof; or if there was one who had betrothed a wife, but had not yet married her; - such were to be allowed to return home, lest they should die in battle, and it be left to others to consummate what they had begun. According to Josephus, this exemption was for a year, according to the analogy of <a href="/deuteronomy/24-5.htm">Deuteronomy 24:5</a>. Dedicated; probably formal possession was taken of the house by some solemn ceremony, followed by a festive entertainment. Vineyard. The Hebrew word (כֶּרֶם) here used designates "a field or park of the nobler plants and trees cultivated in the manner of a garden or orchard" (Ges.); so that not vineyards alone, but also olive yards and plots of the more valuable fruit trees may be intended. Hath not eaten of it; literally, hath not laid it open, made it common, i.e. begun to use it, to gather its produce for common use (cf. <a href="/deuteronomy/28-30.htm">Deuteronomy 28:30</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/31-5.htm">Jeremiah 31:5</a>). Trees planted for food were not to be used before the fifth year of their growth (<a href="/leviticus/19-23.htm">Leviticus 19:23</a>, etc.; cf. <a href="/deuteronomy/24-5.htm">Deuteronomy 24:5</a>). <a href="/commentaries/deuteronomy/20-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Furthermore, the officers הַשֹּֽׁטְרִים֮ (haš·šō·ṭə·rîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7860.htm">Strong's 7860: </a> A scribe, an official superintendent, magistrate are to address וְדִבְּר֣וּ (wə·ḏib·bə·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> To arrange, to speak, to subdue the army, הָעָ֣ם (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock saying, לֵאמֹר֒ (lê·mōr) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “Has any מִֽי־ (mî-) Interrogative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4310.htm">Strong's 4310: </a> Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix man הָאִ֞ישׁ (hā·’îš) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> A man as an individual, a male person built בָּנָ֤ה (bā·nāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1129.htm">Strong's 1129: </a> To build a new חָדָשׁ֙ (ḥā·ḏāš) Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2319.htm">Strong's 2319: </a> New house בַֽיִת־ (ḇa·yiṯ-) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> A house and not וְלֹ֣א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no dedicated it? חֲנָכ֔וֹ (ḥă·nā·ḵōw) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2596.htm">Strong's 2596: </a> To narrow, to initiate, discipline Let him return יֵלֵ֖ךְ (yê·lêḵ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> To go, come, walk home, לְבֵית֑וֹ (lə·ḇê·ṯōw) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> A house or פֶּן־ (pen-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6435.htm">Strong's 6435: </a> Removal, lest he may die יָמוּת֙ (yā·mūṯ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> To die, to kill in battle בַּמִּלְחָמָ֔ה (bam·mil·ḥā·māh) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4421.htm">Strong's 4421: </a> A battle, war and another אַחֵ֖ר (’a·ḥêr) Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_312.htm">Strong's 312: </a> Hinder, next, other man וְאִ֥ישׁ (wə·’îš) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> A man as an individual, a male person dedicate it. יַחְנְכֶֽנּוּ׃ (yaḥ·nə·ḵen·nū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2596.htm">Strong's 2596: </a> To narrow, to initiate, discipline <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/20-5.htm">Deuteronomy 20:5 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/20-5.htm">Deuteronomy 20:5 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/deuteronomy/20-5.htm">Deuteronomy 20:5 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/20-5.htm">Deuteronomy 20:5 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/20-5.htm">Deuteronomy 20:5 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/deuteronomy/20-5.htm">Deuteronomy 20:5 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/deuteronomy/20-5.htm">Deuteronomy 20:5 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/deuteronomy/20-5.htm">Deuteronomy 20:5 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/deuteronomy/20-5.htm">Deuteronomy 20:5 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/deuteronomy/20-5.htm">Deuteronomy 20:5 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-5.htm">OT Law: Deuteronomy 20:5 The officers shall speak to the people (Deut. De Du)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/deuteronomy/20-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Deuteronomy 20:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 20:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/deuteronomy/20-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Deuteronomy 20:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 20:6" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>