CINXE.COM
Deuteronomy 20:13 When the LORD your God has delivered it into your hand, you must put every male to the sword.
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Deuteronomy 20:13 When the LORD your God has delivered it into your hand, you must put every male to the sword.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/deuteronomy/20-13.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/05_Deu_20_13.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Deuteronomy 20:13 - Laws of Warfare" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="When the LORD your God has delivered it into your hand, you must put every male to the sword." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/deuteronomy/20-13.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/deuteronomy/20-13.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/deuteronomy/">Deuteronomy</a> > <a href="/deuteronomy/20.htm">Chapter 20</a> > Verse 13</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad13.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/deuteronomy/20-12.htm" title="Deuteronomy 20:12">◄</a> Deuteronomy 20:13 <a href="/deuteronomy/20-14.htm" title="Deuteronomy 20:14">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/20.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter"> (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/20.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />When the LORD your God delivers it into your hand, put to the sword all the men in it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/20.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />When the LORD your God hands the town over to you, use your swords to kill every man in the town.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/deuteronomy/20.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And when the LORD your God gives it into your hand, you shall put all its males to the sword,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />When the LORD your God has delivered it into your hand, you must put every male to the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/20.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And when the LORD thy God hath delivered it into thine hands, thou shalt smite every male thereof with the edge of the sword:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/deuteronomy/20.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And when the LORD your God delivers it into your hands, you shall strike every male in it with the edge of the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/deuteronomy/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />When the LORD your God gives it into your hand, you shall strike all the men in it with the edge of the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />“When the LORD your God gives it into your hand, you shall strike all the men in it with the edge of the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/deuteronomy/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“When the LORD your God gives it into your hand, you shall strike all the men in it with the edge of the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/deuteronomy/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And Yahweh your God shall give it into your hand, and you shall strike all the males in it with the edge of the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/deuteronomy/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />When the LORD your God gives it into your hand, you shall strike down all the men in it with the edge of the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/deuteronomy/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When the LORD your God hands it over to you, strike down all its males with the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/deuteronomy/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When the LORD your God hands it over to you, you must strike down all its males with the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/deuteronomy/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />and when Jehovah thy God delivereth it into thy hand, thou shalt smite every male thereof with the edge of the sword:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/deuteronomy/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />and when the LORD thy God delivereth it into thine hand, thou shalt smite every male thereof with the edge of the sword:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/deuteronomy/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />When the LORD your God hands the city over to you, kill every man in that city with your swords.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/deuteronomy/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Then, when the LORD your God lets you capture the city, kill every man in it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/deuteronomy/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The LORD your God will deliver it into your control, and you must execute every male. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/deuteronomy/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />When the LORD your God has delivered it into your hand, you must put every male to the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/deuteronomy/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The LORD your God will deliver it over to you and you must kill every single male by the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/deuteronomy/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />and when the LORD your God delivers it into your hand, you shall strike every male of it with the edge of the sword:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/deuteronomy/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And when the LORD thy God hath delivered it into thy hands, thou shalt smite every male of it with the edge of the sword:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/deuteronomy/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />When Yahweh your God delivers it into your hand, you shall strike every male of it with the edge of the sword; <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/deuteronomy/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and your God YHWH has given it into your hand, and you have struck every male of it by the mouth of the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/deuteronomy/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and Jehovah thy God hath given it into thy hand, and thou hast smitten every male of it by the mouth of the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/deuteronomy/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Jehovah thy God gave it into thy hand, and thou didst cut off every one of its males by the mouth of the sword.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/deuteronomy/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And when the Lord thy God shall deliver it into thy bands, thou shalt slay all that are therein of the male sex, with the edge of the sword, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/deuteronomy/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And when the Lord your God will have delivered it into your hands, you shall strike down anyone who is in it, of the male gender, with the edge of the sword,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/deuteronomy/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />and when the LORD, your God, delivers it into your power, put every male in it to the sword;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/deuteronomy/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />and when the LORD your God gives it into your hand, you shall put all its males to the sword.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/deuteronomy/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And when the LORD your God has delivered it into your hands, you shall slay all its males with the edge of the sword;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/deuteronomy/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And LORD JEHOVAH your God shall hand it over into your hands; kill all of its males by the mouth of the sword:<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/deuteronomy/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And when the LORD thy God delivereth it into thy hand, thou shalt smite every male thereof with the edge of the sword;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/deuteronomy/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />until the Lord thy God shall deliver it into thy hands, and thou shalt smite every male of it with the edge of the sword:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/deuteronomy/20-13.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IRhBtZaVxJ0?start=5593" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/20.htm">Laws of Warfare</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">12</span>But if they refuse to make peace with you and wage war against you, lay siege to that city. <span class="reftext">13</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">When the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā (N-mpc:: 2ms) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">your God</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: ū·nə·ṯā·nāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms:: 3fs) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">has delivered it</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: bə·yā·ḏe·ḵā (Prep-b:: N-fsc:: 2ms) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">into your hand,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5221.htm" title="5221: wə·hik·kî·ṯā (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConjPerf-2ms) -- To smite. A primitive root; to strike.">you must put</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">every</a> <a href="/hebrew/2138.htm" title="2138: zə·ḵū·rāh (N-msc:: 3fs) -- A male. Properly, passive participle of zakar, but used for zakar; a male.">male</a> <a href="/hebrew/6310.htm" title="6310: lə·p̄î- (Prep-l:: N-msc) -- Mouth. From pa'ah; the mouth, whether literal or figurative; specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially according to."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2719.htm" title="2719: ḥā·reḇ (N-fs) -- A sword. From charab; drought; also a cutting instrument, as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement.">to the sword.</a> </span><span class="reftext">14</span>But the women, children, livestock, and whatever else is in the city—all its spoil—you may take as plunder, and you shall use the spoil of your enemies that the LORD your God gives you.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/6-21.htm">Joshua 6:21</a></span><br />With the edge of the sword they devoted to destruction everything in the city—man and woman, young and old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/15-3.htm">1 Samuel 15:3</a></span><br />Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/31-7.htm">Numbers 31:7-8</a></span><br />Then they waged war against Midian, as the LORD had commanded Moses, and they killed every male. / Among the slain were Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba—the five kings of Midian. They also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/20-23.htm">2 Chronicles 20:23</a></span><br />The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction. And when they had finished off the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/10-11.htm">2 Kings 10:11</a></span><br />So Jehu killed everyone in Jezreel who remained of the house of Ahab, as well as all his great men and close friends and priests, leaving him without a single survivor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/9-16.htm">1 Kings 9:16</a></span><br />Pharaoh king of Egypt had attacked and captured Gezer. He had set it on fire, killed the Canaanites who lived in the city, and given it as a dowry to his daughter, Solomon’s wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/21-10.htm">Judges 21:10-11</a></span><br />So the congregation sent 12,000 of their most valiant men and commanded them: “Go and put to the sword those living in Jabesh-gilead, including women and children. / This is what you are to do: Devote to destruction every male, as well as every female who has had relations with a man.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/8-2.htm">2 Samuel 8:2</a></span><br />David also defeated the Moabites, made them lie down on the ground, and measured them off with a cord. He measured off with two lengths those to be put to death, and with one length those to be spared. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/18-1.htm">1 Chronicles 18:1-2</a></span><br />Some time later, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Gath and its villages from the hand of the Philistines. / David also defeated the Moabites, and they became subject to David and brought him tribute.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/13-15.htm">Isaiah 13:15-18</a></span><br />Whoever is caught will be stabbed, and whoever is captured will die by the sword. / Their infants will be dashed to pieces before their eyes, their houses will be looted, and their wives will be ravished. / Behold, I will stir up against them the Medes, who have no regard for silver and no desire for gold. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/50-21.htm">Jeremiah 50:21-22</a></span><br />Go up against the land of Merathaim, and against the residents of Pekod. Kill them and devote them to destruction. Do all that I have commanded you,” declares the LORD. / “The noise of battle is in the land—the noise of great destruction.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/9-5.htm">Ezekiel 9:5-7</a></span><br />And as I listened, He said to the others, “Follow him through the city and start killing; do not show pity or spare anyone! / Slaughter the old men, the young men and maidens, the women and children; but do not go near anyone who has the mark. Now begin at My sanctuary.” So they began with the elders who were before the temple. / Then He told them, “Defile the temple and fill the courts with the slain. Go forth!” So they went out and began killing throughout the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/11-20.htm">Matthew 11:20-24</a></span><br />Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. / “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. / But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/19-27.htm">Luke 19:27</a></span><br />And these enemies of mine who were unwilling for me to rule over them, bring them here and slay them in front of me.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/19-11.htm">Revelation 19:11-21</a></span><br />Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war. / He has eyes like blazing fire, and many royal crowns on His head. He has a name written on Him that only He Himself knows. / He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is The Word of God. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And when the LORD your God has delivered it into your hands, you shall smite every male thereof with the edge of the sword:</p><p class="hdg">thou shalt smite</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/31-7.htm">Numbers 31:7-9,17,18</a></b></br> And they warred against the Midianites, as the LORD commanded Moses; and they slew all the males… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/11-15.htm">1 Kings 11:15,16</a></b></br> For it came to pass, when David was in Edom, and Joab the captain of the host was gone up to bury the slain, after he had smitten every male in Edom; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/2-6.htm">Psalm 2:6-12</a></b></br> Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/deuteronomy/20-7.htm">Death</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/9-10.htm">Delivered</a> <a href="/genesis/37-21.htm">Delivereth</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-2.htm">Delivers</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/13-15.htm">Edge</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-21.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-7.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/16-14.htm">Male</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/16-16.htm">Males</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/13-17.htm">Mercy</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-15.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-11.htm">Smite</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-2.htm">Smitten</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-11.htm">Strike</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/13-15.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/15-23.htm">Thereof</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/deuteronomy/20-16.htm">Death</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-10.htm">Delivered</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-10.htm">Delivereth</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-10.htm">Delivers</a> <a href="/joshua/3-8.htm">Edge</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-10.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-6.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/23-1.htm">Male</a> <a href="/joshua/5-4.htm">Males</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-8.htm">Mercy</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/23-23.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/25-3.htm">Smite</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-1.htm">Smitten</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-4.htm">Strike</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-22.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-14.htm">Thereof</a><div class="vheading2">Deuteronomy 20</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/20-1.htm">The priest's exhortation to encourage the people to battle</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/20-5.htm">The officers' proclamation of who are to be dismissed from the war</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/20-10.htm">How to use the cities that accept or refuse the proclamation of peace</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/20-16.htm">What cities must be devoted</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/20-19.htm">Trees must not be destroyed in the siege</a></span><br></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><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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><b>When the LORD your God has delivered it into your hand</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the divine sovereignty and providence in the victories of Israel. The Israelites were to recognize that their success in battle was not due to their own strength or strategy, but because God had granted them victory. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God as the ultimate deliverer, seen in passages like <a href="/exodus/14-14.htm">Exodus 14:14</a>, where God fights for Israel. The phrase also underscores the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where God promises to deliver their enemies into their hands as part of His covenant blessings (<a href="/deuteronomy/7.htm">Deuteronomy 7:1-2</a>).<p><b>you must put every male to the sword</b><br>This command reflects the ancient Near Eastern context of warfare, where the complete destruction of enemy combatants was often practiced to prevent future retaliation and ensure security. The instruction to put every male to the sword was a common practice in the ancient world, intended to eliminate the military threat. In the context of Deuteronomy, this command is part of the herem, or ban, which was a form of divine judgment against the Canaanite nations for their idolatry and wickedness (<a href="/deuteronomy/9-4.htm">Deuteronomy 9:4-5</a>). This action was not merely a military strategy but a fulfillment of divine justice. Theologically, it prefigures the ultimate judgment of God against sin, as seen in the eschatological visions of Revelation. Additionally, it serves as a type of Christ's ultimate victory over sin and death, where He will put all His enemies under His feet (<a href="/1_corinthians/15-25.htm">1 Corinthians 15:25</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant God of Israel, who commands and guides His people.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, receiving instructions for warfare as they prepare to enter the Promised Land.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/canaanite_cities.htm">Canaanite Cities</a></b><br>The cities in the Promised Land that the Israelites are commanded to conquer.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The leader of the Israelites, delivering God's laws and instructions to the people.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/p/promised_land.htm">Promised Land</a></b><br>The land of Canaan, promised by God to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_sovereignty.htm">Divine Sovereignty</a></b><br>Recognize that God is sovereign over nations and history. His commands, even those that are difficult to understand, are part of His divine plan.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/holiness_and_judgment.htm">Holiness and Judgment</a></b><br>Understand that the command to destroy the Canaanite cities was part of God's judgment on their sin and a call for Israel to remain holy and separate from pagan practices.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god.htm">Obedience to God</a></b><br>Reflect on the importance of obedience to God's commands, even when they are challenging or counter-cultural.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_warfare.htm">Spiritual Warfare</a></b><br>Consider the spiritual application of this passage, recognizing that Christians are called to engage in spiritual warfare against sin and evil, using the "sword of the Spirit," which is the Word of God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/n/new_covenant_perspective.htm">New Covenant Perspective</a></b><br>Balance the Old Testament commands with the teachings of Jesus, who calls His followers to love their enemies and seek peace.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_deuteronomy_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 20</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_killing_in_war_considered_murder.htm">Is killing in war considered murder?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/did_god_command_genocide.htm">Did God order genocide? (Exodus 20:13 vs. Deuteronomy 7:2)</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_lamb_worship_reconciled_with_god-only.htm">How do we reconcile the universal worship of the Lamb (Revelation 5:13) with other parts of the Bible that emphasize worship of God alone (e.g., Exodus 20:3)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/did_people_worship_jesus.htm">Did people worship Jesus?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/deuteronomy/20-13.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">When the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your God</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">has delivered it</span><br /><span class="heb">וּנְתָנָ֛הּ</span> <span class="translit">(ū·nə·ṯā·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">into your hands,</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּיָדֶ֑ךָ</span> <span class="translit">(bə·yā·ḏe·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you must strike down</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהִכִּיתָ֥</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hik·kî·ṯā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5221.htm">Strong's 5221: </a> </span><span class="str2">To strike</span><br /><br /><span class="word">every</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">male</span><br /><span class="heb">זְכוּרָ֖הּ</span> <span class="translit">(zə·ḵū·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2138.htm">Strong's 2138: </a> </span><span class="str2">A male</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with the sword.</span><br /><span class="heb">חָֽרֶב׃</span> <span class="translit">(ḥā·reḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2719.htm">Strong's 2719: </a> </span><span class="str2">Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/20-13.htm">Deuteronomy 20:13 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/20-13.htm">Deuteronomy 20:13 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/deuteronomy/20-13.htm">Deuteronomy 20:13 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/20-13.htm">Deuteronomy 20:13 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/20-13.htm">Deuteronomy 20:13 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/deuteronomy/20-13.htm">Deuteronomy 20:13 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/deuteronomy/20-13.htm">Deuteronomy 20:13 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/deuteronomy/20-13.htm">Deuteronomy 20:13 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/deuteronomy/20-13.htm">Deuteronomy 20:13 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/deuteronomy/20-13.htm">Deuteronomy 20:13 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/deuteronomy/20-13.htm">OT Law: Deuteronomy 20:13 And when Yahweh your God delivers it (Deut. De Du)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/deuteronomy/20-12.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Deuteronomy 20:12"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 20:12" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/deuteronomy/20-14.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Deuteronomy 20:14"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 20:14" /></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>