Deuteronomy 20 3

Deuteronomy 20:3 kjv

And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them;

Deuteronomy 20:3 nkjv

And he shall say to them, 'Hear, O Israel: Today you are on the verge of battle with your enemies. Do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, and do not tremble or be terrified because of them;

Deuteronomy 20:3 niv

He shall say: "Hear, Israel: Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them.

Deuteronomy 20:3 esv

and shall say to them, 'Hear, O Israel, today you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them,

Deuteronomy 20:3 nlt

He will say to them, 'Listen to me, all you men of Israel! Do not be afraid as you go out to fight your enemies today! Do not lose heart or panic or tremble before them.

Deuteronomy 20 verses

Deuteronomy 20 3 Meaning

This verse presents a pivotal command issued by the priest or designated officer to the Israelite army before engaging in battle. It serves as an urgent call for the soldiers to cast away fear in all its manifestations, instructing them to be steadfast and courageous in the imminent confrontation with their enemies. The core message emphasizes that despite the immediate danger, their resolve must be rooted in an understanding of God's active presence and promised intervention on their behalf.

Deuteronomy 20 3 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 20 lays out a unique set of laws concerning warfare for ancient Israel. These regulations establish moral and ethical boundaries for military campaigns, differentiating Israel's approach from the common brutal practices of surrounding nations. Verse 3 is part of an address delivered by the priest, or a commissioned officer, to the soldiers immediately before they engage in battle. This exhortation follows a procedure of offering exemptions to various individuals (verses 5-8), ensuring that only those truly ready in heart and mind would proceed. The context of this verse emphasizes that Israelite warfare was fundamentally a holy enterprise, sanctioned by God and fought with His direct involvement. This particular speech aims to instill courage and prevent demoralization, not by emphasizing the army's own strength, but by reminding them of the divine presence and power that would fight on their behalf. The unique role of the priest in this pre-battle address underscores the spiritual dimension and divine authority underlying their military actions.

Deuteronomy 20 3 Word analysis

• He shall say to them: Refers to the priest (kohen), as indicated in Deuteronomy 20:2. This emphasizes that the instruction is divinely sanctioned and delivered through God's appointed representative, giving it significant weight and authority.
• ‘Hear, O Israel (Shema Yisra'el): A crucial Hebrew phrase signaling a vital instruction, echoing the core declaration of faith in Deuteronomy 6:4. It signifies a collective summons for the entire nation, through its fighting men, to listen and heed. It implies that the instructions for battle are deeply connected to their covenant with God.
• Today you are drawing near for battle: Highlights the immediacy and imminence of the conflict, making the preceding and following commands profoundly relevant to their present situation. It underscores that they are facing a real, immediate danger.
• against your enemies: Identifies the adversaries not merely as human opponents, but as enemies who stand in opposition to Israel and, implicitly, to God's redemptive plan. This elevates the conflict beyond mere conquest.

Words-group analysisThe four negative commands regarding fear are a powerful rhetorical device, collectively prohibiting various forms of psychological collapse during battle, ensuring a comprehensive stance against fear. This repetition, each term carrying a distinct nuance, paints a complete picture of the resolve God expects from His people, indicating that divine assurance should dispel all shades of human apprehension.

• Do not lose heart (אַל־יֵרַךְ לְבַבְכֶם - ʾal-yerach levavchem): Literally "let not your heart be soft" or "tender." This refers to an internal weakening of resolve, faintheartedness, moral cowardice, or mental and emotional demoralization. It implies a melting away of courage from within, which can lead to panic or flight.
• and do not be afraid (וְאַל־תִּירָאוּ - wĕʾal-tirʾu): This is a common and general term for fear, terror, or dread. It encompasses the instinctive, overwhelming reaction to external danger. It prohibits the common emotional state of being scared.
• and do not be alarmed (וְאַל־תַּחְפְּזוּ - wĕʾal-tachpĕzu): Conveys panic, to be flustered, to flee in haste, or to become frantic and disorderly. It speaks to a sudden, often uncontrolled, rush of fright that can lead to chaotic behavior or a disorganized retreat, losing all composure.
• and do not be in dread of them (וְאַל־תַּעַרְצוּ - wĕʾal-taʿarṣu): Signifies being shattered, deeply terrified, utterly dismayed, or trembling violently. This describes a profound, often paralyzing fear that breaks one's spirit or physically incapacitates, conveying a sense of being completely overwhelmed by the enemy's perceived power.

Deuteronomy 20 3 Bonus section

• The call for fearlessness in Deuteronomy 20:3-4 serves as a strong polemic against the fear and superstitious dread characteristic of the pagan nations whom Israel would face. These nations often relied on omens, divinations, or the perceived strength of their idols to give courage, but Israel's courage was to be solely rooted in their covenant God.
• The psychological insight embedded in these four different words for fear is remarkable, demonstrating an awareness of how fear can manifest internally, externally, and physically. God comprehensively addresses every potential way fear could disable His people.
• This passage exemplifies the unique "holy war" concept in Israel, where warfare was a religious act and victories were God's to give. The absence of fear was therefore a demonstration of faith and obedience, aligning their will with God's.

Deuteronomy 20 3 Commentary

Deuteronomy 20:3 encapsulates a fundamental principle of Israelite warfare: success and courage stem not from human might or numbers, but from divine presence and promise. The priest's address served to instill a unique form of spiritual resolve, differentiating Israel's battles from those of other nations. By addressing the soldiers before battle and commanding them to eschew all forms of fear – from internal weakness to utter paralysis – God was instructing His people to fight with a confidence derived purely from His character and covenant. This emphasis on an unshakeable faith highlights that Israel's conflicts were often tests of their trust in Yahweh. For ancient Israel, victory was not merely tactical; it was a vindication of their covenant relationship with God. In a broader sense for believers today, this passage underscores that God commands courage in the face of our "battles," be they spiritual, physical, or emotional. He provides strength, not through human bravado, but through a confident reliance on His unfailing presence and power. This truth liberates us from the destructive effects of fear, enabling steadfastness in our walks of faith, just as it empowered Israel in their military encounters.