Deuteronomy 20 19

Deuteronomy 20:19 kjv

When thou shalt besiege a city a long time, in making war against it to take it, thou shalt not destroy the trees thereof by forcing an axe against them: for thou mayest eat of them, and thou shalt not cut them down (for the tree of the field is man's life) to employ them in the siege:

Deuteronomy 20:19 nkjv

"When you besiege a city for a long time, while making war against it to take it, you shall not destroy its trees by wielding an ax against them; if you can eat of them, do not cut them down to use in the siege, for the tree of the field is man's food.

Deuteronomy 20:19 niv

When you lay siege to a city for a long time, fighting against it to capture it, do not destroy its trees by putting an ax to them, because you can eat their fruit. Do not cut them down. Are the trees people, that you should besiege them?

Deuteronomy 20:19 esv

"When you besiege a city for a long time, making war against it in order to take it, you shall not destroy its trees by wielding an axe against them. You may eat from them, but you shall not cut them down. Are the trees in the field human, that they should be besieged by you?

Deuteronomy 20:19 nlt

"When you are attacking a town and the war drags on, you must not cut down the trees with your axes. You may eat the fruit, but do not cut down the trees. Are the trees your enemies, that you should attack them?

Deuteronomy 20 verses

Deuteronomy 20 19 Meaning

This verse sets a divine ethical boundary during warfare: when besieging a city, the people of Israel were explicitly forbidden from destroying fruit-bearing trees around the city. The rationale is twofold: these trees provide food for sustenance, and they are not enemy combatants. It reflects God's concern for wise resource management, the future well-being of the land, and the distinction between combatants and non-combatants, even extending this principle to creation itself.

Deuteronomy 20 19 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 20 presents comprehensive laws concerning warfare for Israel as they anticipate conquering the Promised Land. This chapter highlights God’s moral standards for conflict, contrasting them sharply with the barbaric practices of neighboring nations. Before verse 19, the chapter addresses exemptions from military service and offers terms of peace to cities before siege. Following the command not to destroy fruit trees, it clarifies that non-fruit trees may be used for siege works (v. 20). Historically, warfare often involved "scorched earth" policies, destroying all resources to demoralize and weaken an enemy. This divine law uniquely restrains such destructive impulses, mandating foresight and stewardship even in the heat of battle. It shows God’s concern for long-term provision for the land and its people, emphasizing sustainable practices rather than wanton devastation.

Deuteronomy 20 19 Word analysis

• "When you besiege a city for a long time,": Implies an extended duration of conflict, where frustration and desperation might lead to unnecessary destruction. The phrase signals that even under prolonged duress, this specific ethical standard must be upheld.
• "making war against it in order to take it,": Specifies the clear military objective is conquest. This command provides an ethical boundary within the pursuit of that goal, preventing excessive or purposeless destruction.
• "you shall not destroy": The Hebrew phrase is lo’ tashḥit (לֹא־תַשְׁחִית֙). This is a forceful prohibition, the foundation of the Jewish principle bal tashkhit ("do not destroy unnecessarily"). It indicates a deep theological concern for preventing wasteful or malicious harm to creation, reflecting God's order and design.
• "its trees": Refers specifically to the vegetation surrounding the besieged city. Verse 20 clarifies these are "fruit trees," vital for human sustenance and future agriculture.
• "by wielding an axe against them": Describes the method, emphasizing a deliberate, targeted act of felling. It distinguishes forbidden intentional destruction from incidental damage during battle.
• "For you may eat from them,": Hebrew: ki mimmenu tokhel (כִּ֣י מִמֶּ֔נּוּ תֹּאכֵ֖ל). This clause provides the explicit rationale. The utilitarian value of the trees as a food source underscores God's concern for provisioning His people and ensuring long-term sustainability of the land. It’s a pragmatic and forward-looking command.
• "and you shall not cut them down.": A reiteration and reinforcement of the initial command, underscoring its importance and preventing any ambiguity. It serves to deeply implant the prohibition.
• "Are the trees of the field human, that they should be besieged by you?": Hebrew: Ha'etz ha'sadeh adam hu, lehavo lifneykha ba'maṣor? (הַֽכִּי־אֵ֤ת הַֽמַּחֲנֶה֙... הָֽאָדָם לְהָשֵׂם֙ בָּמְבוֹזְחֶת הַדָּם אֵי־הַבְהַיּ). This profound rhetorical question is pivotal. It asks, "Is a tree a person, that it would flee from you to seek refuge in the city during a siege?" It attributes a degree of personhood to trees to highlight their non-threatening and non-combatant nature. This emphasizes the sheer illogicality and immorality of treating a source of life as an enemy. It elevates the discussion from practicality to fundamental ethics concerning humanity's interaction with the natural world, rooted in God's ordered creation.
• Words-group Analysis:
  • "you shall not destroy its trees... For you may eat from them, and you shall not cut them down.": This forms the direct prohibition and its primary utilitarian justification. It shows God’s practical concern for provision and His foresight, discouraging short-sighted destructive behavior during conflict.
  • "Are the trees of the field human, that they should be besieged by you?": This rhetorical question delivers the profound theological and ethical underpinning. It appeals to reason and conscience, highlighting the distinction between enemy combatants and innocent elements of creation. It points to a divine perspective on the intrinsic value and purpose of trees, demanding respectful treatment beyond their mere utility.

Deuteronomy 20 19 Bonus section

The concept of bal tashkhit (not destroying unnecessarily) that finds its root in Deuteronomy 20:19-20 has been widely expanded in Jewish thought beyond warfare to a general principle against all forms of waste or vandalism. This includes wasting food, destroying buildings, polluting the environment, or even harming one's body. The law showcases God's remarkable ecological foresight, mandating conservation and sustainable resource management thousands of years before modern environmentalism. It taught Israel that even during war, they were to remember their dependence on God's creation and their responsibility to care for the land as stewards, not as owners with absolute power. This contrasts starkly with surrounding pagan nations whose deities often reflected cycles of violence and unbridled destruction.

Deuteronomy 20 19 Commentary

Deuteronomy 20:19 provides a remarkable insight into divine law and God's character amidst the grim realities of war. It moves beyond mere military strategy to instill a deep ethical and theological principle. The prohibition against felling fruit-bearing trees during a siege, rooted in the command lo’ tashḥit (do not destroy), promotes wise stewardship and long-term foresight. It underscores that even in the pursuit of victory, wanton destruction is unacceptable. The pragmatic reason, "For you may eat from them," demonstrates God's concern for sustainable provision and the future well-being of His people and the land. However, the profound rhetorical question, "Are the trees of the field human, that they should be besieged by you?" elevates this instruction beyond mere utility to a moral imperative. It compels Israel to distinguish between human enemies and the innocent, life-giving elements of creation, revealing a divine regard for the created order that transcends typical ancient warfare practices. This unique command established a foundational ethic for respectful interaction with the natural world, reflecting God's design for an abundant and preserved land.