Deuteronomy 20:2 kjv
And it shall be, when ye are come nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people,
Deuteronomy 20:2 nkjv
So it shall be, when you are on the verge of battle, that the priest shall approach and speak to the people.
Deuteronomy 20:2 niv
When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army.
Deuteronomy 20:2 esv
And when you draw near to the battle, the priest shall come forward and speak to the people
Deuteronomy 20:2 nlt
When you prepare for battle, the priest must come forward to speak to the troops.
Deuteronomy 20 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 20:1 | "When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies..." | Establishes the context of war instructions. |
| Deut 20:3-4 | "...Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle...the LORD your God is He that goeth with you..." | Details the priest's message: do not fear, God fights for them. |
| Num 10:9 | "And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets..." | Priestly trumpets signal readiness and God's involvement in war. |
| Josh 6:6-20 | Account of Jericho's fall with priests carrying the Ark and blowing trumpets | Illustrates the direct involvement of priests in specific battles, signifying divine presence. |
| Josh 23:10 | "One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the LORD your God, He it is that fighteth for you, as He hath promised you." | Reinforces the theme of God fighting for Israel, leading to miraculous victory. |
| 2 Chr 13:12 | "...God Himself is with us for our captain, and His priests with sounding trumpets..." | Priestly role and divine captaincy in battle confirmed by later history. |
| 2 Chr 20:15 | "...Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid...for the battle is not yours, but God’s." | A direct echo of the message delivered by the priest in Deut 20. |
| Deut 1:29-30 | "Dread not...The LORD your God which goeth before you, He shall fight for you..." | Early instruction to overcome fear through trust in God's leading and fighting. |
| Deut 3:22 | "Ye shall not fear them: for the LORD your God He shall fight for you." | Reiterates the command not to fear because God is the true warrior. |
| Deut 31:6 | "Be strong and of a good courage, fear not...for the LORD thy God, He it is that doth go with thee..." | Moses's general encouragement, applicable to future battles and challenges. |
| Josh 1:9 | "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid...for the LORD thy God is with thee..." | Joshua receives a similar mandate, highlighting courage derived from God's presence. |
| Ps 27:1 | "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" | A declaration of trust in God overcoming all fear and opposition. |
| Isa 41:10 | "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God..." | Prophetic reassurance of God's constant presence and help. |
| 1 Sam 17:47 | "...that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’s..." | David's statement affirming that God, not human weapons, brings victory. |
| Ps 20:7 | "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God." | Contrasts reliance on military might with reliance on God's name for victory. |
| Ps 118:6 | "The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?" | Trust in God removes fear of human adversaries. |
| Joel 2:21-22 | "Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things...for the LORD your God is gracious and merciful." | Encouragement not to fear, rooted in God's nature and actions. |
| Eph 6:10-18 | Describes the spiritual armor of God and warfare against spiritual forces | New Testament application of "battle" from physical to spiritual, emphasizing God's provision. |
| 2 Cor 10:3-5 | "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal..." | Christian "warfare" uses spiritual weapons, not worldly ones, echoing God's intervention. |
| Rom 8:37 | "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us." | Believers are victorious not by their own strength but through Christ's love. |
| 1 Jn 4:4 | "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world." | God's power within believers ensures victory over spiritual adversaries. |
| Heb 13:6 | "So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper; and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." | Emboldens believers to rely on God's help against human threats. |
Deuteronomy 20 verses
Deuteronomy 20 2 Meaning
Deuteronomy 20:2 outlines a specific procedure to be followed by the Israelite army before engaging in battle. It states that when the forces draw near to combat, a priest is to come forward and address the people. This priestly address serves as a vital step in preparing the soldiers, instilling faith, and reminding them of God's presence and promises as they face warfare. It emphasizes that physical conflict for Israel was profoundly connected to divine command and reliance on God.
Deuteronomy 20 2 Context
Deuteronomy chapter 20 outlines Israel's specific laws of warfare, establishing moral and procedural guidelines for the nation. This chapter is part of Moses' farewell addresses to the Israelites, delivered just before they enter the Promised Land. The instructions are crucial as they anticipate the inevitable military conflicts necessary for conquering and securing their inheritance.
Verse 2 fits within the larger structure of preparing the Israelite army spiritually, psychologically, and morally. It immediately precedes the content of the priest's speech (verses 3-4), which explicitly addresses fear and promises divine assistance. This pre-battle ritual underscores the unique nature of Israelite warfare—not merely a human endeavor for conquest, but a divinely ordained process to fulfill God's covenant promises, led by God Himself. Historically, this practice sets Israel apart from contemporary nations whose war practices were often rooted in divination, pagan rituals, or solely in human strength and might. It presents a clear polemic against relying on anything other than the LORD God for victory.
Deuteronomy 20 2 Word analysis
- And it shall be, (w'hāyāh - וְהָיָה): A common introductory phrase in biblical law, indicating an imperative and future certainty. It signals that this instruction is a binding and expected procedure.
- when ye are come nigh (b’qorbāḥ - בְּקָרְבָתְכֶם): From the root qarab (קרב), meaning "to draw near" or "to approach." It implies physical proximity to the front line or the very beginning stages of direct confrontation, signifying the moment just before engagement.
- unto the battle, (’el-hammilḥāmāh - אֶל־הַמִּלְחָמָה): Milchamah (מלחמה) refers specifically to "war" or "battle." It’s a literal conflict with opposing forces. For Israel, these battles often held spiritual significance as "wars of the LORD," sanctioned or initiated by God.
- that the priest (hakkohen - הַכֹּהֵן): This refers to a specific priest. Rabbinic tradition and some commentaries suggest this might be the "anointed priest for war" (mashuach milchamah), distinct from the High Priest, or simply any priest designated for this role who acts as God's representative. His office conveys divine authority.
- shall approach (w'nigaš - וְנִגַּשׁ): From the same root nagash (נגש) as "nigh" (qarab), emphasizing the priest physically drawing near to the people, putting himself in their presence and accessible for communication. This act signifies the accessibility of God's word to His people.
- and speak (w’dibber - וְדִבֶּר): From dibber (דבר), "to speak" or "to declare." The act of speaking carries prophetic and authoritative weight, especially for a priest conveying God’s will or encouragement. It implies more than casual conversation, rather a formal address.
- unto the people. (’el-ha‘am - אֶל־הָעָם): "The people" refers to the gathered assembly of the Israelite fighting men. The address is directed at the collective army, for the benefit and instruction of all involved in the conflict.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "And it shall be, when ye are come nigh unto the battle,": This phrase sets the exact timing and context for the ensuing command. It highlights a critical juncture – the imminent approach of combat – when fear and doubt could easily take hold. The established protocol is a divine response to this moment.
- "that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people.": This dictates the direct intervention of a divinely appointed leader, the priest, who bridges the spiritual and military aspects of Israel's existence. His role is to transmit God's will and encouragement, making God's presence known at a critical juncture and shaping the mindset of the army. It emphasizes reliance on divine rather than merely human courage or strategy.
Deuteronomy 20 2 Bonus section
- The "priest" here is sometimes referred to in Jewish tradition as the "anointed priest for war" (Hebrew: Kohen milchamah or mashuach milchamah), who had specific responsibilities and qualifications, distinguishing him from other priests, including the High Priest, unless the High Priest himself assumed this role. This role underscores a distinct aspect of spiritual leadership directly tied to military action.
- This verse, and the ensuing speech (Deut 20:3-4), provided both theological and psychological preparation. It reassured the soldiers that God Himself was present with them in the field, turning fear into faith, which was a critical morale booster far superior to any purely human motivational speech.
- The principles in this verse have profound implications for spiritual warfare in the New Testament. While believers do not engage in physical conquest, they face spiritual battles (Eph 6:12). The NT counterpart to this priestly address is the "encouragement" and "exhortation" found in the Word of God and through spiritual leaders, reminding believers that "the battle is the Lord's" (1 Sam 17:47) and we fight from a position of victory in Christ (Rom 8:37).
Deuteronomy 20 2 Commentary
Deuteronomy 20:2 sets a crucial pre-battle protocol for ancient Israel. It is not merely a logistical detail but a profound theological statement. At the very moment Israel stood on the precipice of deadly conflict, human fear and reliance on one's own strength would naturally arise. This verse intervenes with a mandatory spiritual antidote: the appearance and address of the priest. The priest, acting as God's designated representative, was to literally "draw near" to the people and "speak." This physical drawing near ensured that the message was immediate and personal. The ensuing words (detailed in verses 3-4) would dismantle fear, affirm God's presence as their fighting vanguard, and remind them that the outcome rested not on their strength but on the LORD who fought for them. This practice embedded the understanding that Israel's warfare was holy warfare, inextricably linked to their covenant relationship with God. It shifted focus from the human enemy and battlefield conditions to God’s sovereignty and His unwavering commitment to His people, ensuring their morale was spiritually grounded before physical engagement.