King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And it shall be, if it make thee answer of peace, and open unto thee, then it shall be, [that] all the people [that is] found therein shall be tributaries unto thee, and they shall serve thee.
Complete Jewish Bible:
If it accepts the terms for peace and opens its gates to you, then all the people there are to be put to forced labor and work for you.
Berean Standard Bible:
If they accept your offer of peace and open their gates, all the people there will become forced laborers to serve you.
American Standard Version:
And it shall be, if it make thee answer of peace, and open unto thee, then it shall be, that all the people that are found therein shall become tributary unto thee, and shall serve thee.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And it shall be, if it make thee answer{H6030} of peace{H7965}, and open{H6605} unto thee, then it shall be, that all the people{H5971} that is found{H4672} therein shall be tributaries{H4522} unto thee, and they shall serve{H5647} thee.
Cross-References (KJV):
Joshua 9:27
- And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of the LORD, even unto this day, in the place which he should choose.
Judges 1:28
- And it came to pass, when Israel was strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute, and did not utterly drive them out.
Joshua 9:22
- ¶ And Joshua called for them, and he spake unto them, saying, Wherefore have ye beguiled us, saying, We [are] very far from you; when ye dwell among us?
Joshua 9:23
- Now therefore ye [are] cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being bondmen, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.
1 Kings 9:21
- Their children that were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel also were not able utterly to destroy, upon those did Solomon levy a tribute of bondservice unto this day.
1 Kings 9:22
- But of the children of Israel did Solomon make no bondmen: but they [were] men of war, and his servants, and his princes, and his captains, and rulers of his chariots, and his horsemen.
Psalms 120:7
- I [am for] peace: but when I speak, they [are] for war.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Deuteronomy 20:11
Deuteronomy 20:11 is part of a larger section in the book of Deuteronomy that outlines the rules of warfare for the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. This verse specifically addresses the situation when an enemy city offers terms of peace to the Israelites. If the city surrenders and opens its gates, the inhabitants are to become tributaries, essentially becoming subjects or vassals to the Israelites, bound to pay tribute and serve them.
The historical context of this verse is rooted in the ancient Near Eastern practice of warfare, where cities would often choose to surrender and pay tribute to avoid destruction. The themes reflected in this verse include divine guidance in warfare, mercy towards those who submit, and the establishment of a hierarchical relationship between the Israelites and the conquered peoples. This passage underscores the expectation that the Israelites, under God's direction, would be victorious in their military campaigns, and it provides a framework for how they are to interact with defeated populations. It also reflects the broader ancient Near Eastern customs of the time, while adapting them to the unique covenantal relationship between the Israelites and God. The verse emphasizes the importance of peace and the preferential option for avoiding unnecessary bloodshed, provided that the enemy acknowledges Israel's sovereignty and agrees to certain conditions of subjugation.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H6030
There are 317 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָנָה
Transliteration: ʻânâh
Pronunciation: aw-naw'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify, announce; give account, afflict (by mistake for עָנָה), (cause to, give) answer, bring low (by mistake for עָנָה), cry, hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, [idiom] scholar, (give a) shout, sing (together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness. See also בֵּית עֲנוֹת, בֵּית עֲנָת. - Strong's Number: H7965
There are 208 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁלוֹם
Transliteration: shâlôwm
Pronunciation: shaw-lome'
Description: or שָׁלֹם; from שָׁלַם; safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health, prosperity, peace; [idiom] do, familiar, [idiom] fare, favour, [phrase] friend, [idiom] great, (good) health, ([idiom] perfect, such as be at) peace(-able, -ably), prosper(-ity, -ous), rest, safe(-ty), salute, welfare, ([idiom] all is, be) well, [idiom] wholly. - Strong's Number: H6605
There are 133 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּתַח
Transliteration: pâthach
Pronunciation: paw-thakh'
Description: a primitive root; to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve; appear, break forth, draw (out), let go free, (en-) grave(-n), loose (self), (be, be set) open(-ing), put off, ungird, unstop, have vent. - Strong's Number: H5971
There are 1654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עַם
Transliteration: ʻam
Pronunciation: am
Description: from עָמַם; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock; folk, men, nation, people. - Strong's Number: H4672
There are 425 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מָצָא
Transliteration: mâtsâʼ
Pronunciation: maw-tsaw'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present; [phrase] be able, befall, being, catch, [idiom] certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion, out), get (hold upon), [idiom] have (here), be here, hit, be left, light (up-) on, meet (with), [idiom] occasion serve, (be) present, ready, speed, suffice, take hold on. - Strong's Number: H4522
There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַס
Transliteration: maç
Pronunciation: mas
Description: or מִס; from מָסַס; properly, a burden (as causing to faint), i.e. a tax in the form of forced labor; discomfited, levy, task(-master), tribute(-tary). - Strong's Number: H5647
There are 263 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָבַד
Transliteration: ʻâbad
Pronunciation: aw-bad'
Description: a primitive root; to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc.; [idiom] be, keep in bondage, be bondmen, bond-service, compel, do, dress, ear, execute, [phrase] husbandman, keep, labour(-ing man, bring to pass, (cause to, make to) serve(-ing, self), (be, become) servant(-s), do (use) service, till(-er), transgress (from margin), (set a) work, be wrought, worshipper,