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Deuteronomy 20:5-8

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

5. And the officers shall speak unto the people, saying, What man [is there] that 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. 6. And what man [is he] that hath planted a vineyard, and hath not [yet] eaten of it? let him [also] go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man eat of it. 7. And what man [is there] that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? let him go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her. 8. And the officers shall speak further unto the people, and they shall say, What man [is there that is] fearful and fainthearted? let him go and return unto his house, lest his brethren’s heart faint as well as his heart.

Deuteronomy 20:5-8 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Deuteronomy 20:5

Theological / Devotional

Officers. The same word here translated “officers” is found in Ex. 5:6, 10, 14, 15, 19; Num. 11:16; Deut. 1:15; 16:18; Joshua 1:10; etc., and as “overseer” in Prov. 6:7. These men were civil magistrates, for the army of Israel was not a body of professional soldiers.

Dedicated. The verb thus translated is used of the dedication of an altar (Num. 7:10) and of the sanctuary (1 Kings 8:63; 2 Chron. 7:5), but here of a private house.

By SdaBc