Deuteronomy 20 7

Deuteronomy 20:7 kjv

And what man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? let him go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her.

Deuteronomy 20:7 nkjv

And what man is there who is betrothed to a woman and has not married her? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man marry her.'

Deuteronomy 20:7 niv

Has anyone become pledged to a woman and not married her? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else marry her."

Deuteronomy 20:7 esv

And is there any man who has betrothed a wife and has not taken her? Let him go back to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man take her.'

Deuteronomy 20:7 nlt

Has anyone here just become engaged to a woman but not yet married her? Well, you may go home and get married! You might die in the battle, and someone else would marry her.'

Deuteronomy 20 verses

Deuteronomy 20 7 Meaning

Deuteronomy 20:7 grants a specific exemption from military service for a man who has betrothed a wife but has not yet "taken her" (consummated the marriage and brought her into his home). The divine reasoning provided is to prevent the profound tragedy of him dying in battle before fulfilling this sacred and legally binding commitment, thus leaving his betrothed potentially vulnerable, bereaved, and her family line unestablished by him. This law underscores God's compassion and His deep regard for the sanctity of marriage and the continuity of family life, even amidst the strictures of holy war.

Deuteronomy 20 7 Context

Deuteronomy 20 contains laws concerning warfare for the Israelites. It details various divine provisions and protocols for conducting military campaigns, emphasizing that success in battle comes from God, not merely human might. Prior to going into battle, priests would offer words of encouragement (vv. 2-4), reassuring the people that the Lord was with them. Following this, the chapter lists specific exemptions from military service. Verse 7, along with verses 5, 6, and 8, provides these compassionate exemptions, protecting those whose significant personal milestones or states of mind would be grievously cut short or hindered by war. Historically, ancient Near Eastern empires often had absolute conscription. In contrast, this Deuteronomic law highlights Israel's unique, divinely-revealed legal system that values individual well-being and established social structures, such as family and property, even over immediate military objectives, demonstrating God's deep concern for the individual and for the covenantal order of His people.

Deuteronomy 20 7 Word analysis

• וּמִי הָאִישׁ (u-mi ha'ish) – "And what man" / "And who is the man." This rhetorical phrasing introduces a specific scenario or category of individual to be considered for an exemption. It draws immediate attention to the unique plight of this person.

• אֲשֶׁר אֵרַשׂ (asher eiras) – "who has betrothed." The Hebrew verb אָרַשׂ (aras) denotes the legal act of betrothal. In ancient Israel, betrothal was a binding covenant, a formal agreement carrying legal force almost equivalent to marriage, although typically without cohabitation or sexual relations. It established legal rights and responsibilities between the couple, their families, and society, often involving a bride-price (mohar). Breaking a betrothal required a formal divorce.

• אִשָּׁה (ishah) – "a wife" / "a woman." In this context, it refers to the woman to whom the man is legally bound through betrothal.

• וְלֹא לְקָחָהּ (v'lo leqaḥah) – "and has not taken her." The verb לָקַח (lakaḥ) means "to take," but in the context of marriage, it signifies the act of bringing the bride into the groom's home (the nissuin ceremony), which then typically led to the consummation of the marriage. The phrase therefore refers to the state where the legal betrothal is complete, but the marriage itself (cohabitation, physical union) has not yet occurred.

• יֵלֵךְ וְיָשֹׁב לְבֵיתוֹ (yelekh v'yashov l'veito) – "let him go and return to his house." This grants explicit permission for the man to be exempted from military service and return to his home, signifying a divine mandate for his exemption. It is not a suggestion but a directive.

• פֶּן יָמוּת (pen yamut) – "lest he die." פֶּן (pen) conveys a cautionary or preventive purpose, indicating the negative consequence to be avoided. The emphasis here is on preventing a personal tragedy.

• בַּמִּלְחָמָה (bamilḥamah) – "in battle" / "in the war." This specifies the context of the potential death.

• וְאִישׁ אַחֵר יִקָּחֶנָּה (v'ish aḥer yiqqahna) – "and another man take her." This is the grave, compounding consequence that the law seeks to prevent. If the betrothed man dies before consummating the marriage, his betrothed would be left a widow (a tragic state, despite never having lived with him) and would become available to another man. This would disrupt the established covenant, deny the man his familial legacy, and place the woman in a socially awkward and potentially vulnerable position. This concern highlights God's holistic care for individuals, relationships, and societal order.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "has betrothed a wife and has not taken her": This phrase succinctly describes the critical state of an unfulfilled marital covenant. The man has committed to marriage, but the full union has not transpired. This creates a specific vulnerability that God addresses.
  • "Let him go and return to his house": This directive demonstrates God's compassion and valuing of the individual's foundational life commitments over blanket conscription. It is a proactive divine intervention to safeguard a crucial life event.
  • "lest he die in battle and another man take her": This reveals the core reasoning. The law aims to avert a dual tragedy: the premature death of the betrothed husband, and the subsequent "taking" of his betrothed by another man, implying the voiding of their covenant without its intended fulfillment and continuation of the man's lineage. It shows God's concern for covenant fulfillment and the well-being of the involved parties.

Deuteronomy 20 7 Bonus section

This exemption speaks to the incredible foresight and heart of God. It's not just about an individual avoiding personal sorrow; it contributes to troop morale. A soldier whose heart is preoccupied with such a deep personal void would likely be less effective in battle. By sending him home, God ensures both compassion and military readiness by preventing divided loyalties or the demoralizing impact of personal tragedy upon the unit. Furthermore, it reinforces the value of promises and covenant in Israelite society, reflecting God's own faithfulness to His covenants. The emphasis on "another man take her" points to the high value placed on family continuity and the establishment of a lineage for each household within Israel, crucial elements of the covenant promises related to the land and multiplication.

Deuteronomy 20 7 Commentary

Deuteronomy 20:7 stands as a profound testament to God's compassionate nature and His prioritization of fundamental human institutions and individual well-being within His holy law. This exemption, along with others in the chapter, differentiates Israel's divine military code from that of surrounding nations, often characterized by absolute conscription and ruthlessness. Here, God ensures that personal joy and foundational covenants like marriage are protected even during national crises. It acknowledges that dying before "taking" one's betrothed would be a deeply tragic, unfulfilled state for the man and leave the woman in a peculiar, lamentable limbo—a de facto widow without a physical union. God's law aims to prevent such compounding sorrow and social disruption, preserving the sanctity of familial lines and the continuity of life. It conveys a truth about divine order: even when sacrifice is required, it must align with God's overarching principles of mercy, life, and the honoring of commitments. It showcases that genuine strength, even in warfare, integrates care for the human heart and the divine design for family.