Deuteronomy 20:5-9

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 20:1-9

Israel was at this time to be considered rather as a camp than as a kingdom, entering upon an enemy's country, and not yet settled in a country of their own; and, besides the war they were now entering upon in order to their settlement, even after their settlement they could neither protect nor enlarge their coast without hearing the alarms of war. It was therefore needful that they should have directions given them in their military affairs; and in these verses they are directed in managing,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 20:5

And the officers shall speak unto the people ,.... What these officers were is not easy to say; they seem not to be officers of the army, for they are distinguished from captains of the armies, Deuteronomy 20:9 , unless they can be thought to be general officers; but the word for them is the same that is used of such that attended the judges and were ministers to them, Deuteronomy 16:18 , and perhaps they were a sort of heralds that published and proclaimed what the anointed of war had... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 20:6

And what man is he that hath planted a vineyard, and hath not yet eaten of it ?.... Which he has a right to do, and it is hard for him to be deprived of it, 1 Corinthians 9:7 or "hath not made it common" F11 לא חללו "necdum fecit eam esse communem", V. L. "et non fecit eam communem", Vatablus, Fagius. ; according to the law in Leviticus 19:23 . Three years the fruit of trees, and so of vines, might not be eaten; in the fourth, they were devoted to the Lord, and might be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 20:7

And what man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her ?.... Home to his house and bedded with her; has only betrothed her, but is not properly married to her, the nuptials are not completed; this the Jews understand of anyone betrothed to him, whether a virgin or a widow, or the wife of a deceased brother (yea, they say, if his brother is dead in war, he returns and comes home), but not of a former wife divorced and received again F13 Misn. Sotah, ib. sect. 2. : ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 20:8

And the officers shall speak further unto the people ,.... According to Maimonides F14 Ut supra. (Hilchot Melachim, c. 7. sect. 3.) , the priest the anointed of war spoke to the end of Deuteronomy 20:7 and which the officers repeated after him to the people aloud, as before observed; and then after that an officer speaks of himself, or in his own words, and not in those of the priest, as follows: what man that is fearful , &c.; and then another officer causes all the people... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 20:9

And it shall be, when the officers have made an end of speaking unto the people ,.... By reciting what the anointed of war said unto them, and by speeches of their own framing, to encourage to the battle; and all were dismissed that had leave to depart, and chose to take it: that they shall make captains of armies to lead on the people ; on to battle; that is, either the officers should do this, which may seem to confirm what has been hinted, that they might be generals of the army, who... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 20:5

That hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? - From the title of Psalm 30:1-12 , - A Psalm or Song at the Dedication of the House of David - it is evident that it was a custom in Israel to dedicate a new house to God with prayer, praise, and thanksgiving; and this was done in order to secure the Divine presence and blessing, for no pious or sensible man could imagine he could dwell safely in a house that was not under the immediate protection of God. Hence it has been a custom... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 20:7

Betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? - It was customary among the Jews to contract matrimony, espouse or betroth, and for some considerable time to leave the parties in the houses of their respective parents: when the bridegroom had made proper preparations, then the bride was brought home to his house, and thus the marriage was consummated. The provisions in this verse refer to a case of this kind; for it was deemed an excessive hardship for a person to be obliged to go to battle,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 20:8

What man is there that is fearful and faint - hearted? - The original רך rach , signifies tender or soft-hearted. And a soft heart the man must have who, in such a contest, after such a permission, could turn his back upon his enemies and his brethren. However, such were the troops commanded by Gideon in his war against the Midianites; for after he gave this permission, out of 32,000 men only 10,000 remained to fight! Judges 7:3 . There could be no deception in a business of this kind;... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 20:5

Verse 5 5.And the officers shall speak unto the people. I have added the commencement, “quum bellandum erit, ” (when there shall be war,) that my readers may know what is the subject here discussed; for although the instruction given may seem somewhat remote from the prohibition of theft, still it accords well, and is closely connected with it. For by this indulgence God shews how just it is, that every one should enjoy peaceably what he possesses; because, if it be hard that men on account of... read more

Group of Brands