Deuteronomy 23:13

KJV

And thou shalt have a paddle upon thy weapon; and it shall be, when thou wilt ease thyself abroad, thou shalt dig therewith, and shalt turn back and cover that which cometh from thee:

KJV (with Strong's)

And thou shalt have a paddle {H3489} upon thy weapon {H240}; and it shall be, when thou wilt ease {H3427} thyself abroad {H2351}, thou shalt dig {H2658} therewith, and shalt turn back {H7725} and cover {H3680} that which cometh {H6627} from thee:

Complete Jewish Bible

You must include a trowel with your equipment, and when you relieve yourself, you are to dig a hole first and afterwards cover your excrement.

Berean Standard Bible

And you must have a digging tool in your equipment so that when you relieve yourself you can dig a hole and cover up your excrement.

American Standard Version

and thou shalt have a paddle among thy weapons; and it shall be, when thou sittest down abroad, thou shalt dig therewith, and shalt turn back and cover that which cometh from thee:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 23:13 provides a specific, practical command for the Israelite community regarding sanitation, requiring individuals to carry a digging tool to bury human waste outside the camp. This seemingly mundane instruction is deeply significant, underscoring God's profound concern for the physical health, ritual purity, and overall holiness of His people, as His divine presence dwelled among them. It illustrates how even the most basic aspects of daily life were to reflect the covenant relationship and God's desire for an ordered, consecrated community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 23 falls within a larger section of the book (Deuteronomy 12-26) which outlines specific laws and statutes given by Moses to the new generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before entering the Promised Land. This chapter, in particular, deals with regulations concerning the purity and order of the Israelite assembly or "camp." The verses immediately preceding Deuteronomy 23:13 address various forms of ritual impurity that would exclude individuals from the camp (e.g., [Deuteronomy 23:10-11](/deuteronomy/23-10 "Deuteronomy 23:10-11 - Purity in the Camp")), emphasizing the need for a holy environment where God's presence could reside. The subsequent verse, [Deuteronomy 23:14](/deuteronomy/23-14 "Deuteronomy 23:14 - God's Presence in the Camp"), directly links the sanitation command to the divine presence, providing the ultimate theological rationale.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, sanitation practices were rudimentary at best, and the lack of proper waste disposal often led to widespread disease. The Israelites, frequently living in a nomadic or semi-nomadic camp setting, faced significant public health challenges. This command provided a revolutionary public health measure for its time, preventing the spread of diseases like dysentery, cholera, and typhoid, which could devastate a large, concentrated population. The "weapon" mentioned likely refers to a soldier's or traveler's essential gear, indicating that this instruction was for all able-bodied men within the community, ensuring collective responsibility for camp hygiene. The emphasis on "abroad" (outside the camp) was crucial to maintain the sanctity of the living area.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes in Deuteronomy and the Pentateuch. It highlights God's meticulous concern for the **holiness and purity** of His people, not just in ritual or spiritual matters, but also in their physical environment, as His presence "walks in the midst of your camp" ([Deuteronomy 23:14](/deuteronomy/23-14 "Deuteronomy 23:14 - God's Presence in the Camp")). It demonstrates God's practical **wisdom and foresight** in establishing laws that promote **public health and well-being**, a testament to His care for His creation and His covenant people. Furthermore, it underscores the theme of **communal responsibility and order**, where individual actions have direct implications for the collective welfare, reflecting the disciplined life expected of a people set apart for God, as seen in other regulations concerning community life (e.g., [Deuteronomy 22](/deuteronomy/22 "Deuteronomy 22 - Various Laws")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Paddle (Hebrew, _'athed'_):** This word refers to a small shovel, spade, or peg. It implies a simple, yet effective, digging tool. The KJV's "upon thy weapon" suggests it was to be carried as part of one's essential equipment, perhaps attached to military gear or a staff, making it readily accessible for its prescribed use. This highlights the practical, ever-present nature of the command.
* **Ease thyself abroad (Hebrew, _yatza chutz_):** This is a polite euphemism for defecation, literally meaning "go out" or "go forth outside." The use of a euphemism demonstrates a cultural sensitivity even in addressing a necessary biological function, while "abroad" or "outside" specifies the required location away from the main camp, emphasizing separation and cleanliness.
* **Cover (Hebrew, _kasah_):** This verb means "to cover," "to conceal," or "to hide." In this context, it specifically means to bury the waste. The command to "turn back and cover that which cometh from thee" emphasizes the thoroughness required, ensuring the waste is completely hidden from sight and protected from vectors of disease, thus maintaining both physical cleanliness and visual decency.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And thou shalt have a paddle upon thy weapon;":** This clause issues a direct command for every individual (specifically, likely the men who would be carrying weapons or tools) to possess a digging tool. The "weapon" suggests it was part of the standard kit, indicating that preparedness for this sanitary duty was as essential as being ready for defense or daily tasks. It implies a proactive approach to hygiene.
* **"and it shall be, when thou wilt ease thyself abroad, thou shalt dig therewith,":** This specifies the occasion and the action. When an individual needs to relieve themselves, they are to go "abroad" (outside the camp) and use the designated tool to dig a hole. This ensures that waste is not left exposed within the living area, preventing contamination and maintaining the camp's purity.
* **"and shalt turn back and cover that which cometh from thee:":** This final instruction mandates the complete burial of the waste. The act of "turning back" implies returning to the spot to ensure proper covering, emphasizing thoroughness. This not only prevents the spread of disease but also maintains the visual and olfactory cleanliness of the environment, respecting the communal space and the divine presence within it.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several **literary devices**. It utilizes **euphemism** ("ease thyself abroad") to refer to a bodily function in a decorous manner, reflecting a cultural sensitivity even in practical commands. The instruction is delivered as a **direct command** or imperative, emphasizing its non-negotiable nature and the authority behind it. The structure is a clear **conditional statement** ("when thou wilt ease thyself... thou shalt dig... and cover"), outlining a specific action to be taken under a given circumstance. Furthermore, the passage functions as a form of **legal instruction** or statute, characteristic of the Deuteronomic law code, providing practical regulations for the ordered life of the covenant community.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 23:13, though seemingly a simple instruction on sanitation, is profoundly theological. It reveals God's holistic concern for His people, where physical well-being is intrinsically linked to spiritual purity and the maintenance of His holy presence. The command to keep the camp clean because "the LORD your God walks in the midst of your camp" ([Deuteronomy 23:14](/deuteronomy/23-14 "Deuteronomy 23:14 - God's Presence in the Camp")) elevates hygiene from a mere practical matter to a sacred duty. It teaches that God's holiness demands purity in all aspects of life—ritual, moral, and even physical—because His presence sanctifies the space and the people. This principle resonates with the broader biblical theme that God desires to dwell among a holy people, and that human actions, even mundane ones, can either facilitate or hinder that divine indwelling.

* [Leviticus 11:44-45](/leviticus/11-44 "Leviticus 11:44-45 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy")
* [Psalm 24:3-4](/psalm/24-3 "Psalm 24:3-4 - Who May Ascend the Hill of the Lord?")
* [1 Corinthians 6:19-20](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Our Bodies, Temples of the Holy Spirit")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 23:13 offers timeless principles that extend far beyond ancient sanitation. It reminds us that our faith is not confined to spiritual acts but permeates every aspect of our lives, including our physical environment and our interactions within community. Just as God desired a physically clean camp because He dwelt among His people, so too are we, as temples of the Holy Spirit, called to pursue holistic purity. This involves responsible stewardship of our bodies, our homes, and the broader environment. It challenges us to consider how our personal habits impact the well-being of our community and the world around us. Ultimately, this verse calls us to live with intentionality and reverence, recognizing that every detail of our existence can either honor or dishonor the God who is present with us. Our commitment to cleanliness, order, and respect for creation is an act of worship, reflecting the character of a holy God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this ancient command challenge our modern understanding of "holiness" and its practical implications for daily life?**
* **In what ways can our personal habits regarding hygiene and environmental stewardship reflect our reverence for God and consideration for others?**
* **How does the principle of God's presence in the "camp" (or our lives/communities) motivate us to pursue purity in all areas, not just the overtly spiritual?**

### FAQ
**Why did God care about something as seemingly trivial as human waste disposal?**

Answer: God's concern for waste disposal, as seen in [Deuteronomy 23:13](/deuteronomy/23-13 "Deuteronomy 23:13 - Sanitation in the Camp"), was far from trivial; it was a matter of profound importance for several interconnected reasons. Firstly, it was crucial for **public health**. In a densely populated camp without modern sanitation, exposed waste would quickly lead to the rampant spread of diseases like dysentery, cholera, and typhoid, which could decimate the community. God, in His wisdom and care for His people, provided practical laws to safeguard their physical well-being. Secondly, it was a matter of **ritual and spiritual purity**. The subsequent verse, [Deuteronomy 23:14](/deuteronomy/23-14 "Deuteronomy 23:14 - God's Presence in the Camp"), explicitly states the reason: "For the LORD your God walks in the midst of your camp... therefore your camp must be holy, so that He may not see anything indecent among you and turn away from you." God's holy presence demanded a consecrated environment, free from anything defiling, even physically. This taught the Israelites that holiness encompassed all aspects of life, not just religious rituals. Lastly, it fostered **discipline and order** within the community, ensuring that every individual contributed to the collective welfare and reflected the ordered nature of God's kingdom.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Deuteronomy 23:13 provides a specific Mosaic law for physical sanitation in the Israelite camp, its underlying theological principles find profound Christ-centered fulfillment. The command for external purity because God "walks in the midst of your camp" ([Deuteronomy 23:14](/deuteronomy/23-14 "Deuteronomy 23:14 - God's Presence in the Camp")) foreshadows the ultimate dwelling of God among humanity in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus, the incarnate Word, "dwelt among us" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), bringing God's holy presence into the very midst of a fallen world. Furthermore, through Christ's atoning sacrifice, believers are purified not just externally, but internally, becoming temples of the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Our Bodies are Temples")). The call for a clean camp prefigures the New Testament emphasis on spiritual purity and holiness, not as a means to earn God's presence, but as a response to His indwelling Spirit. Just as the physical camp was to be kept clean to honor God's presence, so too are our lives—our thoughts, words, and deeds—to be consecrated and pure, reflecting the holiness of the One who has made us His dwelling place ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ and the Church")). The ultimate fulfillment lies in the new heavens and new earth, where God's dwelling will be perfectly and eternally with humanity, in a place of absolute purity and no defilement ([Revelation 21:3](/revelation/21-3 "God's Dwelling with Man") and [Revelation 21:27](/revelation/21-27 "Revelation 21:27 - No Uncleanness in New Jerusalem")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.