The priest - Not the high priest, but one appointed for the purpose, and called, according to the rabbis, “the anointed of the war”: hence, perhaps the expression of Jeremiah 6:4, etc. “prepare ye” (literally consecrate) “war.” Thus, Phinehas went with the warriors to fight against Midian (Numbers 31:6; compare 1Sa 4:4, 1 Samuel 4:11; 2 Chronicles 13:12). read more
Deuteronomy 20:2. The priest shall approach The Jews say there was a priest anointed for the purpose, whose office, as we may gather from Numbers 31:6, was to blow with the trumpet when they were preparing for battle. And shall speak to the people Probably exhorting them, in the most persuasive manner, to a courageous and undaunted performance of their duty, considering their cause as God’s, and relying on his protection and aid. read more
Rules for war (20:1-20)God’s people were to have confidence in the wars that lay before them, knowing that God was on their side. That did not mean they could be half-hearted or inefficient in the way they planned and fought. All had to give themselves fully to the task before them. Nevertheless, the law temporarily excused some people from military service, such as those who had recently committed themselves to something that could be ruined if they were suddenly called away to the battlefield... read more
faint. This and the following three words = Figure of speech Synonymia. App-6 . tremble = be excited. (Hebrew = make haste.) read more
Ver. 2. The priest shall approach, and speak unto the people— The Jews say there was a priest anointed for this purpose: his office was, to blow with the trumpets (Numbers 31:6.) when they were preparing for battle, and to exhort them, in the most persuasive manner, to a courageous and undaunted performance of their duty; to look upon their cause as God's own, and assure themselves of success under his divine aid and protection. See Selden de Success. in Pontif. lib. 2: cap. 1. The Romans, and... read more
2-4. when ye are come nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people—Jewish writers say that there was a war priest appointed by a special ceremonial to attend the army. It was natural that the solemn objects and motives of religion should have been applied to animate patriotism, and so give additional impulse to valor; other people have done this. But in the case of Israel, the regular attendance of a priest on the battlefield was in accordance with their... read more
War ch. 20These instructions deal with how Israel was to come into possession of the Promised Land (cf. Numbers 33:50-56). They are in the context of civil legislation because Israel did not have a standing army. Soldiers volunteered to go into battle as needed. Warfare and its prosecution are relevant to the subject of killing and thus to the sixth commandment. This section provided a "manual of warfare" for the Israelites outlining their attitude and approach to national enemies. [Note:... read more
Laws of Warfare1. Horses and chariots] The army of the Israelites was chiefly composed of infantry: see on Deuteronomy 17:16. 2. The priest] It is implied that the priests accompany the hosts of Israel into battle: see on Numbers 10:9. Hence the Heb. phrase ’to consecrate a war, or warriors,’ usually rendered to ’prepare’: see Joel 3:9 mg.; Isaiah 13:3.5-9. From Numbers 1:3 it would appear that all able-bodied men from twenty years of age were liable to military service. But the evils of... read more
(2) The priest.—There is no mention of the Levite here. The priest is named as a distinct personage. The words which the priest are to pronounce are, as it were, the blessing of Jehovah on the campaign. It follows that Israel could not lawfully go to war except when the blessing of Jehovah might be invoked. read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 20:2
The priest. Not the high priest or any one of the priests, but the military priest, the priest appointed to accompany the army, "the anointed for the war;" משׁיח המלחמה , as the rabbins designate him (cf. Numbers 21:6 ; 1 Samuel 4:4 ; 2 Chronicles 13:12 ). His business was to exhort the people, and to encourage them by reminding them that the Lord was their Leader, and would help them in the conflict. The formula of his exhortation is given in Deuteronomy 20:3 , Deuteronomy... read more