King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And it shall be, when the officers have made an end of speaking unto the people, that they shall make captains of the armies to lead the people.
Complete Jewish Bible:
When the officials have finished speaking with the soldiers, commanders are to be appointed to lead the army.
Berean Standard Bible:
When the officers have finished addressing the army, they are to appoint commanders to lead it.
American Standard Version:
And it shall be, when the officers have made an end of speaking unto the people, that they shall appoint captains of hosts at the head of the people.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And it shall be, when the officers{H7860} have made an end{H3615} of speaking{H1696} unto the people{H5971}, that they shall make{H6485} captains{H8269} of the armies{H6635} to lead{H7218} the people{H5971}.
Cross-References (KJV):
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Commentary for Deuteronomy 20:9
Deuteronomy 20:9 is part of a larger passage (Deuteronomy 20:1-9) that outlines the rules for going to war for the Israelites. This passage is situated within the broader context of the Israelites' preparation to enter the Promised Land after their exodus from Egypt and their wandering in the wilderness. The historical context reflects the period when Moses is providing the Israelites with laws and instructions in the plains of Moab, just before they cross the Jordan River into Canaan.
The themes of Deuteronomy 20:9 include:
1. **Leadership and Organization**: The verse emphasizes the importance of establishing a clear command structure within the Israelite army. After the officers address the people, they are to appoint captains or commanders to lead the military forces. This reflects a broader biblical principle of organized leadership in both religious and military contexts.
2. **Preparation for Battle**: The appointment of military leaders is part of the preparation for war, ensuring that the army is ready and properly led when facing enemies. This preparation is both practical and spiritual, as the preceding verses in the chapter provide guidelines for priestly involvement and the assurance of God's presence in battle.
3. **Divine Assurance**: The broader context of this chapter provides reassurance to the Israelites that God is with them in their military campaigns, fighting for their cause. The appointment of leaders is thus not only a military strategy but also a demonstration of faith in God's guidance and support.
4. **Just War Conduct**: Although not explicit in verse 9, the surrounding verses set forth conditions for engaging in war, including offers of peace to cities and the proper treatment of captives, reflecting principles of just war conduct that were relatively progressive for the time.
In summary, Deuteronomy 20:9 reflects the themes of organized leadership, preparation for conflict, reliance on divine support, and adherence to ethical standards in warfare, all within the historical context of the Israelites' impending conquest and settlement of Canaan.
*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: H3615
There are 200 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כָּלָה
Transliteration: kâlâh
Pronunciation: kaw-law'
Description: a primitive root; to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitived (to complete, prepare, consume); accomplish, cease, consume (away), determine, destroy (utterly), be (when... were) done, (be an) end (of), expire, (cause to) fail, faint, finish, fulfil, [idiom] fully, [idiom] have, leave (off), long, bring to pass, wholly reap, make clean riddance, spend, quite take away, waste. - 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: H6485
There are 270 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּקַד
Transliteration: pâqad
Pronunciation: paw-kad'
Description: a primitive root; to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc.; appoint, [idiom] at all, avenge, bestow, (appoint to have the, give a) charge, commit, count, deliver to keep, be empty, enjoin, go see, hurt, do judgment, lack, lay up, look, make, [idiom] by any means, miss, number, officer, (make) overseer, have (the) oversight, punish, reckon, (call to) remember(-brance), set (over), sum, [idiom] surely, visit, want. - Strong's Number: H8269
There are 368 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שַׂר
Transliteration: sar
Pronunciation: sar
Description: from שָׂרַר; a head person (of any rank or class); captain (that had rule), chief (captain), general, governor, keeper, lord,(-task-)master, prince(-ipal), ruler, steward. - Strong's Number: H6635
There are 463 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צָבָא
Transliteration: tsâbâʼ
Pronunciation: tsaw-baw'
Description: or (feminine) צְבָאָה; from צָבָא; a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (specifically, hardship, worship); appointed time, ([phrase]) army, ([phrase]) battle, company, host, service, soldiers, waiting upon, war(-fare). - Strong's Number: H7218
There are 548 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רֹאשׁ
Transliteration: rôʼsh
Pronunciation: roshe
Description: from an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.); band, beginning, captain, chapiter, chief(-est place, man, things), company, end, [idiom] every (man), excellent, first, forefront, (be-)head, height, (on) high(-est part, (priest)), [idiom] lead, [idiom] poor, principal, ruler, sum, top.