Deuteronomy 20:6

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

"'Is there a man here who has planted a vineyard, but hasn't yet made use of its fruit? He should go back home; otherwise he may die fighting, and another man will use it.

Berean Standard Bible:

Has any man planted a vineyard and not begun to enjoy its fruit? Let him return home, or he may die in battle and another man enjoy its fruit.

American Standard Version:

And what man is there that hath planted a vineyard, and hath not used the fruit thereof? let him go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man use the fruit thereof.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And what man^{H376} is he that hath planted^{H5193} a vineyard^{H3754}, and hath not yet eaten^{H2490} of it? let him also go^{H3212} and return^{H7725} unto his house^{H1004}, lest he die^{H4191} in the battle^{H4421}, and another^{H312} man^{H376} eat^{H2490} of it.

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for Deuteronomy 20:6

Deuteronomy 20:6 is part of a larger section in the book of Deuteronomy that deals with the laws and customs regarding warfare for the Israelites. The verse specifically addresses a situation that would create a sense of pity and compassion within the community. It speaks to the exemption of a soldier who has recently planted a vineyard but has not yet had the opportunity to enjoy its fruit. In the context of ancient Israel, planting a vineyard was a significant investment of labor and resources, and the fruits of this labor, quite literally, were a source of joy and sustenance that the planter anticipated for years to come.

The historical context of this verse is rooted in the agricultural society of the time, where the success and prosperity of a family were closely tied to the land and its produce. The law here is an expression of the value placed on the individual's labor and the importance of allowing a person to partake in the fruits of their work, which is seen as a divine blessing. By excusing this man from battle, the community acknowledges his contribution to the collective welfare and ensures that he is not deprived of the personal enjoyment and economic benefit of his vineyard.

The themes present in Deuteronomy 20:6 include the sanctity of personal labor and investment, the balance between individual rights and communal responsibilities, and the merging of practical and ethical considerations in the laws given to Israel. It reflects a compassionate approach to military service, recognizing that while defending the nation is a critical duty, it should not come at the cost of unreasonable personal sacrifice. This verse, therefore, is an early example of a law that seeks to balance the demands of national security with the rights and well-being of the individual citizen.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. 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.
   
2. Strong's Number: H5193
   There are 55 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָטַע
   Transliteration: nâṭaʻ
   Pronunciation: naw-tah'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to strike in, i.e. fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively); fastened, plant(-er).
   
3. Strong's Number: H3754
   There are 82 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כֶּרֶם
   Transliteration: kerem
   Pronunciation: keh'-rem
   Description: from an unused root of uncertain meaning; a garden or vineyard; vines, (increase of the) vineyard(-s), vintage. See also בֵּית הַכֶּרֶם.
   
4. Strong's Number: H2490
   There are 131 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָלַל
   Transliteration: châlal
   Pronunciation: khaw-lal'
   Description: a primitive root (compare חָלָה); also denominative (from חָלִיל); properly, to bore, i.e. (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin (as if by an 'opening wedge'); to play (the flute); begin ([idiom] men began), defile, [idiom] break, defile, [idiom] eat (as common things), [idiom] first, [idiom] gather the grape thereof, [idiom] take inheritance, pipe, player on instruments, pollute, (cast as) profane (self), prostitute, slay (slain), sorrow, stain, wound.
   
5. 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.
   
6. 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.
   
7. 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).
   
8. 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.
   
9. 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).
   
10. 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.