Deuteronomy 20:4 kjv
For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.
Deuteronomy 20:4 nkjv
for the LORD your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.'
Deuteronomy 20:4 niv
For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory."
Deuteronomy 20:4 esv
for the LORD your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.'
Deuteronomy 20:4 nlt
For the LORD your God is going with you! He will fight for you against your enemies, and he will give you victory!'
Deuteronomy 20 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 14:14 | The LORD will fight for you... | God fighting for Israel at the Red Sea. |
| Exod 33:14 | My presence will go with you... | God's promise of divine presence. |
| Josh 10:42 | The LORD God of Israel fought for Israel. | God fighting for Israel in Canaanite conquest. |
| Josh 23:3 | The LORD your God himself has fought for you. | Joshua's reminder of God's past battles for them. |
| Judg 7:2 | Lest Israel boast over me... | God ensures victory is clearly His work, not human. |
| 1 Sam 17:47 | ...that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that the LORD saves not with sword and spear... | David's confession of God's ultimate power over military might. |
| 2 Chr 20:15 | ...the battle is not yours but God's. | Jehoshaphat assured of God fighting their battle. |
| Psa 18:2 | The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge... | God as ultimate protector and deliverer. |
| Psa 20:7 | Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. | Contrasting human and divine reliance for victory. |
| Psa 44:5 | Through you we push down our foes; through your name we tread down those who rise against us. | Acknowledging God as the source of victory. |
| Psa 46:1 | God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. | God's ever-present aid and strength. |
| Psa 121:7 | The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. | God's ongoing preservation and protection. |
| Psa 124:8 | Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth. | Affirmation of reliance on the Creator God for help. |
| Isa 30:15 | In quietness and in trust shall be your strength. | Emphasizing trust in God over military alliances. |
| Isa 31:4-5 | The LORD of hosts will come down to fight... | God protecting Jerusalem like hovering birds. |
| Zech 14:3 | Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations... | God as a future warrior for His people. |
| Matt 28:20 | ...and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. | Christ's promise of abiding presence with His followers. |
| Rom 8:31 | If God is for us, who can be against us? | God's complete alignment with believers. |
| Rom 8:37 | No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. | Victory assured through Christ's love. |
| Phil 4:13 | I can do all things through him who strengthens me. | God's empowerment in all aspects of life. |
| Col 2:15 | He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. | Christ's victory over spiritual adversaries. |
| Heb 13:6 | The Lord is my helper; I will not fear... | Confidence in God as a present help, removing fear. |
Deuteronomy 20 verses
Deuteronomy 20 4 Meaning
Deuteronomy 20:4 asserts that Israel's confidence in warfare comes not from their military might but from the unwavering presence and active participation of the LORD their God. He is depicted as the divine warrior who personally leads them into battle, engaging on their behalf against their adversaries, and ultimately assuring their triumph and deliverance. This verse aims to instill courage in the Israelite army, removing fear by emphasizing that God, not human strength, is the ultimate source of victory.
Deuteronomy 20 4 Context
Deuteronomy chapter 20 outlines the regulations for warfare given by Moses to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the promised land. This "War Code" precedes the instructions for distributing the land, emphasizing the unique nature of Israel's military engagements. Verses 1-3 instruct the soldiers not to be afraid when facing a larger enemy, for the LORD their God is with them. Verse 4 serves as the core theological basis for this command, providing the rationale for their courage and explaining why they should not fear. The historical context is Israel on the cusp of conquering Canaan, a period requiring faith and obedience to divine instruction, setting them apart from other ancient Near Eastern armies who relied purely on their numbers or military prowess. Culturally, it underscores the theocentric worldview of Israel, where God is not merely a distant deity but an active participant in their national life and destiny.
Deuteronomy 20 4 Word analysis
- For the LORD (לַיהוָה - la-YHWH): This introduces the divine cause for confidence. "LORD" (YHWH) is the covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal relationship and faithfulness to Israel. This is a fundamental attribute of the God of Israel.
- your God (אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - Eloheykhem): "God" (Elohim) signifies His universal sovereignty and power. The possessive "your" highlights the unique covenantal relationship Israel has with this all-powerful being, reinforcing intimacy and specific divine favour.
- is he who goes (הַהֹלֵךְ - ha-holekh): The definite article "the" combined with the participle "going" (present tense) emphasizes God's active, continuous movement and leadership. It's not just a static presence, but a dynamic, leading force. He moves ahead of them, setting the path and initiating the engagement. This word portrays God as an active and committed guide.
- with you (עִמָּכֶם - im-machem): This simple phrase denotes intimate presence and solidarity. God is not distant but fully engaged alongside His people.
- to fight for you (לְהִלָּחֵם לָכֶם - le-hillachem lachem): The preposition "for you" is crucial. It signifies substitutionary action; God fights on their behalf, taking the lead in the conflict, not merely assisting. This is a fundamental concept of Holy War in Israel, distinguishing it from general human warfare. It's a divine imperative and initiative.
- against your enemies (עַל־אֹיְבֵיכֶם - al-oyveichem): Specifically names the adversary. The battle is against defined foes, not a generic struggle.
- to give you the victory (לְהוֹשִׁיעַ אֶתְכֶם - le-hoshiya etchem): This translates from the Hebrew root yasha (ישׁע), which means "to save, deliver, bring victory." It encapsulates the full spectrum of divine rescue and success. It's God's prerogative and guarantee to deliver His people from their oppressors. It signifies not just winning, but divine rescue leading to triumph.
Words-group Analysis
- "For the LORD your God is he who goes with you": This phrase establishes the foundational theological truth: God's personal, covenantal presence is the primary assurance for Israel. It underscores that their battles are His battles, and His presence guarantees more than mere accompaniment; it signifies active leadership and participation. This dispels human fear by placing the responsibility for their security squarely on God.
- "to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory": This segment explicitly details God's active role and its inevitable outcome. He is the divine warrior (Deuteronomistic theme) who intervenes directly and effectively, not merely watching from the sidelines. The result is assured "victory," implying a comprehensive deliverance that saves and triumphs over all opposition, ensuring that the Israelites can face their formidable enemies with confidence rooted in God's power, not their own. This directly counteracts any polemic that suggested military success came from human strength, numbers, or pagan deities.
Deuteronomy 20 4 Bonus Section
- Theocentric Warfare: This verse is central to understanding the concept of "holy war" in ancient Israel, which was fundamentally theocentric. Unlike other nations, whose wars were for empire-building or self-aggrandizement, Israel's wars, when divinely commanded, were seen as God's battles. This perspective removes the moral ambiguity often associated with conquest by stressing God's agency, justice, and faithfulness to His covenant promises.
- Practical Trust: The command "do not be afraid" in Deut 20:1-3, coupled with verse 4, presents a profound lesson in practical trust. It suggests that even in overwhelming circumstances, fear is negated by a firm belief in God's active presence and His ability to fight on behalf of His people. This principle transcends ancient warfare, applicable to all spiritual and personal battles faced by believers today.
- Divine Assurance: The emphasis on "giving victory" (לְהוֹשִׁיעַ - le-hoshiya) highlights the consistent biblical theme of God as the ultimate Savior and Deliverer. This verb carries connotations of rescue and salvation, implying that God's intervention is always for the purpose of preserving and vindicating His people.
Deuteronomy 20 4 Commentary
Deuteronomy 20:4 serves as the spiritual and psychological bedrock for Israelite warfare. It teaches that the efficacy of Israel's army is directly tied not to their weaponry, numerical superiority, or tactical brilliance, but to the active presence and fighting prowess of the LORD their God. This principle fosters absolute reliance on divine intervention and leadership, ensuring that any victory is clearly God's work, thus bringing glory to Him rather than human achievement. This core truth liberated the soldiers from the burden of fear (addressed in prior verses), allowing them to step onto the battlefield with faith, knowing that their Sovereign had already guaranteed the outcome of any conflict ordained by Him.