Deuteronomy 20 5

Deuteronomy 20:5 kjv

And the officers shall speak unto the people, saying, What man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it.

Deuteronomy 20:5 nkjv

"Then the officers shall speak to the people, saying: 'What man is there who has built a new house and has not dedicated it? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man dedicate it.

Deuteronomy 20:5 niv

The officers shall say to the army: "Has anyone built a new house and not yet begun to live in it? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else may begin to live in it.

Deuteronomy 20:5 esv

Then the officers shall speak to the people, saying, 'Is there any man who has built a new house and has not dedicated it? Let him go back to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man dedicate it.

Deuteronomy 20:5 nlt

"Then the officers of the army must address the troops and say, 'Has anyone here just built a new house but not yet dedicated it? If so, you may go home! You might be killed in the battle, and someone else would dedicate your house.

Deuteronomy 20 verses

Deuteronomy 20 5 Meaning

Deuteronomy 20:5 stipulates an exemption from military service for any man who has built a new house but has not yet formally dedicated or inaugurated it. The purpose of this provision is to prevent the personal tragedy of a man dying in battle and never enjoying the fruit of his labor, with another man instead inheriting and dedicating his new home. It reflects God’s compassionate understanding of human attachment to property and the importance of experiencing the completion and enjoyment of significant life milestones.

Deuteronomy 20 5 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 20 lays out a comprehensive set of laws regarding warfare for the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land and engage in battles. This verse is part of a series of exemptions from military duty announced by the officers before a battle commences. It follows an initial exhortation not to fear the enemy and assurance of God's presence. These specific exemptions (for a new house, new vineyard, newly married man, and the fainthearted) reflect a compassionate and strategic approach to warfare, ensuring that only those who are fully prepared, both physically and psychologically, serve. Historically, these provisions likely aimed to bolster morale, reduce desertion, and ensure the army was comprised of individuals free from significant personal anxieties or unfulfilled major life obligations. The "dedication" of a house would likely refer to a "house-warming" event, or the official and complete settling into and possession of a dwelling, akin to celebrating its inauguration.

Deuteronomy 20 5 Word analysis

• officers (שֹׁטְרִים, shoterim): These were administrative officials, often scribes or taskmasters, distinct from military commanders (sarim). They were responsible for maintaining records, organizing, and ensuring order within the people, and here, they acted as spokesmen for the military code.
• shall speak (דִּבְּר֖וּ, dibberu): A verb indicating authoritative proclamation or command. The announcement of these exemptions was a public and formal act.
• to the people (הָעָ֔ם, ha'am): Refers to the collective assembly of men summoned for military service, not just a select group.
• Is there any man (מִ֣י הָאִ֗ישׁ, mi ha'ish): A rhetorical question serving as a formal inquiry, prompting individuals to self-identify if they meet the specified criteria for exemption.
• built (בָּנָ֥ה, banah): To construct, establish. It implies a significant investment of time, resources, and effort into creating a dwelling place.
• new house (בַּ֤יִת חָדָשׁ֙, bayit chadash): Refers to a recently completed dwelling, signifying the establishment of a home for a family or an individual. This would be a momentous milestone in an ancient society focused on lineage and property.
• and has not dedicated it (לֹֽא־חֲנָכֹו֮, lo chanakho):
  • חֲנָכֹו (chanakho): Derived from the root חנך (chanakh), meaning to dedicate, inaugurate, or train/initiate. This implies more than just building the house; it refers to the formal act of completion, blessing, and perhaps habitation, or the formal celebration that marks a new beginning. It speaks to the joy and fulfillment of seeing one's project truly come to fruition and become their settled abode. It highlights that the work is not merely built but fully possessed and ready for enjoyment.
  • This phrase might subtly oppose surrounding pagan practices which could involve dedications through child sacrifice, contrasting it with God's mercy and valuing life.
• Let him go and return to his house (לֵ֣ךְ וְשֻׁב֩ לְבֵיתֹ֜ו, lekh veshuv leveito): A direct command granting permission to depart from military duty, emphasizing God’s care for personal well-being and the completion of personal milestones.
• lest he die in battle (וּמֵ֤ת בַּמִּלְחָמָה֙, umet bamilchamah): The direct reason for the exemption – to prevent the tragedy of losing one's life before experiencing the joy and purpose associated with one's significant accomplishment. It underscores God's compassion and the high value placed on the lives of His people.
• and another man dedicate it (וְאִישׁ֙ אַחֵ֣ר יַחְנְכֶ֔נּוּ, ve'ish acher yachnechennu): This highlights the profound loss and tragedy if one were to die. In a society where family and property were paramount, the thought of someone else dedicating (and therefore owning/inhabiting) the house you built, after you perished without enjoying it, would be a devastating blow to one's legacy and personal fulfillment. God actively works to prevent this.

Deuteronomy 20 5 Bonus section

• Divine Priority on Enjoyment of Labor: This verse profoundly emphasizes God's desire for His people to enjoy the fruit of their labor (Ecc 2:24, Ecc 5:19). It shows His protective hand over their well-being, both physically and emotionally, even more so than the immediate need for a larger fighting force.
• Holiness in War: The exemptions (Dt 20:5-8) served not only a practical purpose of maintaining morale but also a spiritual one. The army of Israel was to be a holy army, composed of men who were unburdened by personal anxieties that might stem from unfinished major life events or deep-seated fear. This purity of mind and purpose was crucial for God's presence among them (Dt 23:14).
• The Law as Compassionate: The provisions in Deuteronomy often highlight a compassionate and merciful aspect of God's law, contrasting sharply with the harsh military conscription laws of surrounding nations. It underscored that Israel's God cared for the individual's joy and future.

Deuteronomy 20 5 Commentary

Deuteronomy 20:5 reveals a remarkable dimension of God's law for Israel: a compassionate consideration for the personal circumstances and emotional well-being of His people, even amidst the rigorous demands of warfare. The provision for exemption due to an undedicated new house is not merely about preventing a practical inconvenience, but about safeguarding the fulfillment and joy that comes from completing significant life projects. God understands the human desire to see one's labors come to fruition and to enjoy the fruits of hard work. By allowing a man to return home to dedicate his new house, God prevents the potential psychological distress or diminished morale of an individual going to war with such a major unresolved personal matter. This principle showcases a divine recognition that true strength in battle might not only come from physical prowess, but also from a mind unburdened by pressing personal loss or unfulfilled dreams. It subtly reminds leaders to value their people’s personal lives and contributions. For instance, just as God ensures the completion of a physical dwelling, He desires our spiritual houses (our lives, our walk with Him) to be fully dedicated and inhabited by His Spirit, enjoyed by us, before facing our spiritual battles.