The officers dedicated it - See Exodus 5:6 note.Compare the marginal references. The expression is appropriate, because various ceremonies of a religious kind were customary among the Jews on taking possession of a new house. The immunity conferred in this verse lasted, like that in Deuteronomy 20:7 (compare Deuteronomy 24:5), for one year. read more
Deuteronomy 20:5-6. What man is there This and the following exceptions are to be understood only of a war allowed by God, not in a war commanded by God, not in the approaching war with the Canaanites, from which even the bridegroom was not exempt, as the Jewish writers note. Hath planted a vineyard This and the former dispensation were generally convenient, but more necessary in the beginning of their settlement in Canaan, for the encouragement of those who should build houses or plant... 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
man. Heb 'ish . App-14 . read more
"And the officers shall speak unto the people saying, What man is there who 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. And what man is there that hath planted a vineyard and hath not used the fruit thereof? let him go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man use the fruit thereof. And what man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? let him go and... read more
Ver. 5. And the officers shall speak unto the people— The priest was to pronounce the words in the former verse; after which, the officers were to go and repeat them at the head of the battalions. This is the opinion of the rabbis, particularly Abarbanel. These officers, probably, were those who waited upon the magistrates, and acted as heralds in the army. See Calmet. They were to make proclamation, allowing an exemption from the war to such as had newly built houses and were not yet settled... read more
5-8. And the officers shall speak unto the people—literally, Shoterim, who are called "scribes" or "overseers" ( :-). They might be keepers of the muster-roll, or perhaps rather military heralds, whose duty it was to announce the orders of the generals (2 Chronicles 26:11). This proclamation (Deuteronomy 20:5-8) must have been made previous to the priest's address, as great disorder and inconvenience must have been occasioned if the serried ranks were broken by the departure of those to whom... 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
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The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 20:5-10
Exemptions. Three classes were exempted from service in war, and one class was forbidden to take part in it. The exempted classes were: 1. He who had built a house, but had not dedicated it. 2. He who had planted a vineyard, but had not eaten of its fruit. 3. He who had betrothed a wife, but had not married her. The class forbidden to engage in the war was the class of cowards ( Deuteronomy 20:8 ). These regulations— I. HAD AN IMPORTANT BEARING ON THE ... read more