The officers also shall speak to the people, saying, ‘Who is the man that has built a new house but has not (A)dedicated it? Let him go and return to his house, otherwise he might die in the battle and another man would dedicate it. And who is the man that has planted a vineyard but has not [a]put it to use? Let him go and return to his house, otherwise he might die in the battle and another man [b]would put it to use. (B)And who is the man that is [c]betrothed to a woman and has not [d]married her? Let him go and return to his house, otherwise he might die in the battle and another man would [e]marry her.’ Then the officers shall speak further to the people and say, ‘(C)Who is the man that is afraid and fainthearted? Let him go and return to his house, so that [f]he does not make his brothers’ hearts melt like his heart!’ And when the officers have finished speaking to the people, they shall appoint commanders of armies at the head of the people.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Deuteronomy 20:6 Lit treat(ed) it as common
  2. Deuteronomy 20:6 Lit treat(ed) it as common
  3. Deuteronomy 20:7 A betrothed couple was considered legally married, but did not yet live together
  4. Deuteronomy 20:7 Lit taken
  5. Deuteronomy 20:7 Lit take
  6. Deuteronomy 20:8 As in LXX and other ancient versions; MT his brothers’ hearts do not melt like

The officers shall say to the army: “Has anyone built a new house and not yet begun to live in(A) it? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else may begin to live in it. Has anyone planted(B) a vineyard and not begun to enjoy it?(C) Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else enjoy it. Has anyone become pledged to a woman and not married her? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else marry her.(D) Then the officers shall add, “Is anyone afraid or fainthearted? Let him go home so that his fellow soldiers will not become disheartened too.”(E) When the officers have finished speaking to the army, they shall appoint commanders over it.

Read full chapter