King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
"Then the officials will speak to the soldiers. They are to say, 'Is there a man here who has built a new house, but hasn't dedicated it yet? He should go back home now; otherwise he may die fighting, and another man will dedicate it.
Berean Standard Bible:
Furthermore, the officers are to address the army, saying, “Has any man built a new house and not dedicated it? Let him return home, or he may die in battle and another man dedicate it.
American Standard Version:
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.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And the officers{H7860} shall speak{H1696} unto the people{H5971}, saying{H559}, What man{H376} is there that hath built{H1129} a new{H2319} house{H1004}, and hath not dedicated{H2596} it? let him go{H3212} and return{H7725} to his house{H1004}, lest he die{H4191} in the battle{H4421}, and another{H312} man{H376} dedicate{H2596} it.
Cross-References (KJV):
Nehemiah 12:27
- ¶ And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, [with] cymbals, psalteries, and with harps.
Numbers 31:48
- ¶ And the officers which [were] over thousands of the host, the captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds, came near unto Moses:
1 Samuel 17:18
- And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of [their] thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge.
Deuteronomy 1:15
- So I took the chief of your tribes, wise men, and known, and made them heads over you, captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, and captains over fifties, and captains over tens, and officers among your tribes.
Numbers 31:14
- And Moses was wroth with the officers of the host, [with] the captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, which came from the battle.
Deuteronomy 16:18
- ¶ Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.
Psalms 30:1
- ¶ A Psalm [and] Song [at] the dedication of the house of David. I will extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.
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Commentary for Deuteronomy 20:5
Deuteronomy 20:5 is part of a larger section in the book of Deuteronomy that outlines the laws and regulations concerning warfare for the Israelites. The historical context of this verse is situated within the period of Israel's wanderings in the wilderness, as Moses prepares the people to enter and possess the Promised Land. The book of Deuteronomy is presented as a series of speeches delivered by Moses to the Israelites, reiterating the law and covenant of the Lord.
The themes present in Deuteronomy 20:5 include:
1. **Responsibility and Exemption**: The verse reflects a concern for the individual responsibilities and family life of the Israelite soldiers. It provides exemptions from military service for those who have recently built a house but have not yet dedicated it. This indicates a recognition of the importance of personal milestones and the need to prioritize certain life events over communal obligations.
2. **Holiness and Dedication**: The dedication of a new house is seen as a significant event, one that requires the presence of the owner. This reflects the broader theme of holiness and the dedication of things to God, a common practice in ancient Israelite society.
3. **Community and Compassion**: The law shows a compassionate view towards individuals, allowing for exceptions in the face of war. It emphasizes the value of personal property and achievement, and the importance of not allowing these to be unjustly taken or left unfinished due to the demands of war.
4. **Practical Wisdom**: The exemption also serves a practical purpose. It ensures that soldiers are not distracted by personal concerns that could compromise their effectiveness in battle. Additionally, it prevents the potential emotional impact on the army of seeing a fellow soldier's property dedicated by another in the event of his death.
5. **Divine Protection and Provision**: Underlying this law is the assumption that the Israelites trust in God's protection and provision. By allowing some to return home, it reflects a belief that the battle is ultimately in God's hands and that He will ensure victory with the forces that remain.
In summary, Deuteronomy 20:5 is part of the warfare laws given to the Israelites as they prepared to enter Canaan. It emphasizes the importance of personal responsibilities, the sanctity of life events, and the community's obligation to show compassion and practical wisdom in the conduct of war. This verse illustrates the broader theme in Deuteronomy of balancing communal duties with individual needs and rights within the covenant community under God's rule.
*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: H7860
There are 25 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֹׁטֵר
Transliteration: shôṭêr
Pronunciation: sho-tare'
Description: active participle of an otherwise unused root probably meaning to write; properly, a scribe, i.e. (by analogy or implication) an official superintendent or magistrate; officer, overseer, ruler. - Strong's Number: H1696
There are 1050 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דָבַר
Transliteration: dâbar
Pronunciation: daw-bar'
Description: a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue; answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work. - 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: H559
There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָמַר
Transliteration: ʼâmar
Pronunciation: aw-mar'
Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. - Strong's Number: H376
There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אִישׁ
Transliteration: ʼîysh
Pronunciation: eesh
Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה. - Strong's Number: H1129
There are 345 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בָּנָה
Transliteration: bânâh
Pronunciation: baw-naw'
Description: a primitive root; to build (literally and figuratively); (begin to) build(-er), obtain children, make, repair, set (up), [idiom] surely. - Strong's Number: H2319
There are 48 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָדָשׁ
Transliteration: châdâsh
Pronunciation: khaw-dawsh'
Description: from חָדַשׁ; new; fresh, new thing. - Strong's Number: H1004
There are 1718 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בַּיִת
Transliteration: bayith
Pronunciation: bah'-yith
Description: probably from בָּנָה abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). - Strong's Number: H2596
There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָנַךְ
Transliteration: chânak
Pronunciation: khaw-nak'
Description: a primitive root; (compare חָנַק); properly, to narrow; figuratively, to initiate or discipline; dedicate, train up. - Strong's Number: H3212
There are 938 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָלַךְ
Transliteration: yâlak
Pronunciation: yaw-lak'
Description: a primitive root (compare הָלַךְ); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses); [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. - Strong's Number: H7725
There are 952 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שׁוּב
Transliteration: shûwb
Pronunciation: shoob
Description: a primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbial, again; ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. - Strong's Number: H4191
There are 694 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מוּת
Transliteration: mûwth
Pronunciation: mooth
Description: a primitive root; to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill; [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise. - Strong's Number: H4421
There are 308 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִלְחָמָה
Transliteration: milchâmâh
Pronunciation: mil-khaw-maw'
Description: from לָחַם (in the sense of fighting); a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare); battle, fight(-ing), war(-rior). - Strong's Number: H312
There are 271 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַחֵר
Transliteration: ʼachêr
Pronunciation: akh-air'
Description: from אָחַר; properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc.; (an-) other man, following, next, strange.