Deuteronomy 20:7

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

"'Is there a man here who is engaged to a woman, but hasn't married her yet? He should go back home; otherwise he may die fighting, and another man will marry her.'

Berean Standard Bible:

Has any man become pledged to a woman and not married her? Let him return home, or he may die in battle and another man marry her.”

American Standard Version:

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.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And what man^{H376} is there that hath betrothed^{H781} a wife^{H802}, and hath not taken^{H3947} her? let him go^{H3212} and return^{H7725} unto his house^{H1004}, lest he die^{H4191} in the battle^{H4421}, and another^{H312} man^{H376} take^{H3947} her.

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Commentary for Deuteronomy 20:7

Deuteronomy 20:7 is part of a larger section of the book that deals with the laws of warfare for the Israelites. The historical context of this verse is set during the time when the Israelites, under the leadership of Moses, are preparing to enter the Promised Land after their exodus from Egypt and 40 years of wandering in the wilderness.

The themes of Deuteronomy 20:7 include:

1. **Exemption from War**: The verse presents an exemption from military service for certain individuals. Specifically, it refers to a man who has recently become engaged but has not yet married his fiancée. This exemption is based on the understanding that the man would be distracted by thoughts of his betrothed and potentially endanger himself and others in battle.

2. **Prioritization of Personal Obligations**: The verse reflects a value system that prioritizes personal and familial obligations. Ensuring the stability and continuity of the family unit is considered important enough to excuse a man from the collective duty of warfare.

3. **Concern for Future Generations**: By allowing the man to return home, the law also protects the lineage and inheritance rights of the engaged couple. This is significant in a culture where establishing a family and passing on one's name and property were paramount.

4. **Compassion and Pragmatism**: The law demonstrates both compassion for the individual soldier and a pragmatic approach to military strategy. It acknowledges the emotional state of the soldier and seeks to maintain morale and focus within the army.

5. **Protection of Women**: The clause "lest he die in the battle, and another man take her" also reflects the concern for the betrothed woman's future. It ensures that she would not be left without support or prospects for marriage if her fiancé were to die in battle.

In summary, Deuteronomy 20:7 is part of the ancient Israelite legal code concerning warfare. It provides an exemption for recently engaged men, prioritizing personal obligations and the future of their families, while also exhibiting compassion and strategic pragmatism. This law is one of many in the Pentateuch that seeks to balance the demands of communal life with the rights and responsibilities of individuals within the society.

*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: H781
   There are 307 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָרַשׂ
   Transliteration: ʼâras
   Pronunciation: aw-ras'
   Description: a primitive root; to engage for matrimony; betroth, espouse.
   
3. Strong's Number: H802
   There are 729 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אִשָּׁה
   Transliteration: ʼishshâh
   Pronunciation: ish-shaw'
   Description: feminine of אִישׁ or אֱנוֹשׁ; irregular plural, נָשִׁים;(used in the same wide sense as אֱנוֹשׁ); a woman; (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3947
   There are 909 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לָקַח
   Transliteration: lâqach
   Pronunciation: law-kakh'
   Description: a primitive root; to take (in the widest variety of applications); accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win.
   
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.