Deuteronomy 20:6 kjv
And what man is he that hath planted a vineyard, and hath not yet eaten of it? let him also go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man eat of it.
Deuteronomy 20:6 nkjv
Also what man is there who has planted a vineyard and has not eaten of it? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man eat of it.
Deuteronomy 20:6 niv
Has anyone planted a vineyard and not begun to enjoy it? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else enjoy it.
Deuteronomy 20:6 esv
And is there any man who has planted a vineyard and has not enjoyed its fruit? Let him go back to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man enjoy its fruit.
Deuteronomy 20:6 nlt
Has anyone here just planted a vineyard but not yet eaten any of its fruit? If so, you may go home! You might die in battle, and someone else would eat the first fruit.
Deuteronomy 20 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lev 19:23-25 | "When ye shall come into the land, and shall have planted all manner of trees for food... ye shall count the fruit thereof as uncircumcised: three years shall it be as uncircumcised... in the fourth year all the fruit thereof shall be holy to the LORD... in the fifth year shall ye eat of the fruit thereof..." | Establishes the timeframe before fruit could be enjoyed. |
| Deut 20:5 | "And what man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it?..." | Companion law for exemption due to un-dedicated house. |
| Deut 20:7 | "And what man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her?..." | Companion law for exemption due to unconsummated marriage. |
| Deut 20:8 | "And the officers shall speak further unto the people, and they shall say, What man is there that is fearful and fainthearted?..." | Final military exemption for fear. |
| Deut 24:5 | "When a man hath taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war... he shall be free at home one year, and shall cheer up his wife..." | Expands on marital exemption for one year. |
| 1 Cor 9:7 | "Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit?..." | Paul uses this principle to argue for support of gospel ministers. |
| Prov 24:30-34 | "I went by the field of the sluggard, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns..." | Highlights the importance of diligence in vineyards; contrast of this verse. |
| Isa 5:1-7 | "My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill..." | Israel as God's vineyard, planted to bear good fruit. |
| Ps 128:2 | "For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee." | General principle of enjoying one's labor. |
| Eccl 5:19 | "Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God." | Emphasizes the blessing of enjoying labor's fruit. |
| Haggai 1:6 | "Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled..." | Divine judgment withholding the fruit of labor. |
| Amos 9:14 | "And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel... they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof..." | Prophetic promise of blessing where people enjoy their planted vineyards. |
| Zeph 1:13 | "They shall also build houses, but not inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, but not drink the wine thereof." | Prophecy of judgment where labor's fruit is denied. |
| Joel 2:24 | "And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil." | Description of agricultural abundance and enjoyment in blessing. |
| Matt 21:33-46 | "Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it..." | Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers; shows the value of the vineyard. |
| John 15:1-8 | "I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman..." | Christ as the true vine, focused on spiritual fruitfulness. |
| Gen 2:15 | "And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it." | Labor ordained from creation, hinting at expected reward/enjoyment. |
| Deut 6:11 | "And houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full..." | Israel to inherit blessings from others' labor. |
| Jer 29:5 | "Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them." | Exhortation to productive living in exile. |
| Zech 8:12 | "For the seed shall be prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit..." | Prophetic promise of agricultural prosperity and enjoyment. |
| Isa 65:21-22 | "And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat..." | Prophecy of full enjoyment of labor in new heavens/earth. |
| Heb 12:11 | "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." | Concept of "fruit" resulting from process, applicable metaphorically. |
| Rom 15:28 | "When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I shall come by you into Spain." | "Fruit" used in the context of material benefit/aid, related to the fruit of labor. |
Deuteronomy 20 verses
Deuteronomy 20 6 Meaning
Deuteronomy 20:6 declares an exemption from military service for any man who has planted a vineyard but has not yet been able to partake of its fruit. The underlying principle is that individuals should have the opportunity to enjoy the product of their labor and God's blessings before being called to a high-risk situation like war. This provision is designed to prevent a profound personal tragedy where a man's diligent work would benefit another if he were to die in battle, thus ensuring justice and preserving morale.
Deuteronomy 20 6 Context
Deuteronomy 20 outlines the laws and procedures for holy war, a set of instructions given to Israel as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. Prior to battle, priests and officers were to address the army, reminding them of God's presence and power. Within these instructions (verses 5-8), specific exemptions from military service are detailed. These exemptions—for a man who has built a house but not yet dedicated it (v. 5), one who has planted a vineyard and not yet enjoyed its fruit (v. 6), and one who has betrothed a wife but not yet married her (v. 7)—reflect God's compassionate concern for individual well-being and the fulfillment of life's significant milestones and efforts. The broader historical context is an agrarian society where vineyards were a significant, long-term investment, often taking several years to produce their first usable crop according to the Mosaic law in Leviticus 19.
Deuteronomy 20 6 Word Analysis
- And what man (וּמִי הָאִישׁ - u’mi ha’ish): This phrasing indicates a direct question, designed to identify specific individuals. It implies a public proclamation by the officers (as mentioned in verse 5) to exempt those meeting the criteria, demonstrating a systematic and just application of the law.
- is there (הָאִישׁ - ha’ish): Emphasizes the individual's presence and unique circumstance.
- that hath planted (אֲשֶׁר־נָטַע - asher-nataʿ): The verb נָטַע (nataʿ) means "to plant" or "to set." It implies active effort and long-term investment, particularly relevant for a vineyard which requires significant initial labor and patience before yielding produce. This is distinct from simply acquiring a ready-made vineyard.
- a vineyard (כֶּרֶם - kerem): A specific type of agricultural planting, deeply symbolic in Israelite culture of sustained effort, hope, and potential prosperity. Vineyards were major investments and a source of livelihood.
- and hath not yet eaten of it (וְלֹא חִלְּלוֹ - v'lo ḥillelō): This is a critical phrase. The verb חִלְּלוֹ (ḥillelō) comes from the root חלל (ḥalal), meaning "to profane" or "to make common/unconsecrated." In the context of newly planted fruit trees and vineyards, as specified in Lev 19:23-25, the fruit of the first three years was considered "uncircumcised" or forbidden, and the fourth year's fruit was "holy to the LORD" (dedicated to God). It was only in the fifth year that the fruit could be "made common" (profaned, in the sense of making available for ordinary consumption) by the owner. Therefore, "hath not yet eaten of it" specifically refers to not yet having brought the vineyard to the stage where its produce could be enjoyed according to the Mosaic law. This implies a significant amount of labor and waiting, without having received the personal benefit.
- let him go and return (יֵלֵךְ וְיָשֹׁב - yelekh v'yashov): A clear directive to be released from duty and allowed to return home. It highlights God's command for restoration and provision for His people's well-being.
- unto his house (לְבֵיתוֹ - l'veitō): Emphasizes the sanctity and importance of the home as a place of safety, rest, and personal enjoyment. The individual's priority is shifted from warfare to his domestic life and labor.
- lest he die (פֶּן־יָמוּת - pen-yamut): "Lest he die" indicates the grave consequence being averted. The Hebrew פֶּן (pen) implies a fear or concern that this undesired outcome might happen, and the command is given to prevent it. It demonstrates a practical concern for the soldier's life.
- in the battle (בַּמִּלְחָמָה - ba'milḥamah): Specifies the context of death. The danger is imminent and real.
- and another man eat of it (וְאִישׁ אַחֵר יֹאכְלֶנּוּ - v'ish aḥer yokhlennu): This phrase describes the tragedy and injustice of the scenario the law aims to prevent. It underscores the profound personal loss for the individual and their family if they cannot reap the benefits of their long-term investment and labor. It's a clear statement of a divine value: labor should find its reward in the laborer, not unjustly fall to another due to untimely death.
Deuteronomy 20 6 Bonus Section
- Holistic Approach to Warfare: The exemptions in Deut 20 demonstrate that God's approach to warfare was not merely strategic and numerical, but also deeply psychological and spiritual. Ensuring soldiers had resolved their personal obligations and joys contributed to a healthier, more confident, and less distracted fighting force.
- Emphasis on Blessing Fulfillment: These laws are deeply connected to the overarching promise of land and blessing for Israel. Part of inheriting the land was not just possessing it, but fully enjoying its produce and building homes and families within it. To die before experiencing these foundational blessings would undermine the very promise being fought for.
- Theological Parallel to Christ's Ministry: Though not explicitly stated in the verse, the principle of someone else partaking in one's labor finds a sorrowful parallel in the Old Testament descriptions of suffering or judgment (e.g., Zeph 1:13) where people do not enjoy their fruit. Conversely, in the New Testament, Christ Himself lived and labored, sowing seeds of the Kingdom, and while He enjoyed His Father's approval, His ultimate "fruit" of salvation is partaken of by all who believe, demonstrating a spiritual reversal of this very principle for the ultimate good.
Deuteronomy 20 6 Commentary
Deuteronomy 20:6, set within the unique military code of ancient Israel, showcases the divine balance between communal duty and individual well-being. It's more than a mere military exemption; it's a profound declaration of God's compassionate concern for His people's ability to experience the fruits of their labor and promised blessings in the land. The meticulous waiting period (up to five years according to Lev 19:23-25) before one could partake of vineyard fruit underscores the foresight and patience required, making the potential loss in battle before partaking especially tragic. God, in His wisdom, avoids this potential source of bitterness, resentment, and fear within the army ranks, ensuring that those who embark on perilous ventures do so without lingering regret over unfulfilled life goals.
This law communicates several vital truths. Firstly, it elevates the significance of personal effort and the enjoyment of its rewards; God desires His people to prosper and rejoice in their work. Secondly, it highlights the intrinsic value of human life over pure military might. Thirdly, it builds morale, demonstrating that a just and compassionate God oversees even warfare, caring for the individual's aspirations. While the New Testament emphasizes spiritual principles, Paul's reference in 1 Cor 9:7, "Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit?" draws directly from the spirit of this Old Testament law, affirming the universal principle that laborers deserve to partake in the fruits of their service, especially those serving the Lord. This divine instruction thus lays a foundation for God's economy of blessing, where diligence is met with enjoyment, and justice prevails even in the face of conflict.