Deuteronomy 20:9 kjv
And it shall be, when the officers have made an end of speaking unto the people that they shall make captains of the armies to lead the people.
Deuteronomy 20:9 nkjv
And so it shall be, when the officers have finished speaking to the people, that they shall make captains of the armies to lead the people.
Deuteronomy 20:9 niv
When the officers have finished speaking to the army, they shall appoint commanders over it.
Deuteronomy 20:9 esv
And when the officers have finished speaking to the people, then commanders shall be appointed at the head of the people.
Deuteronomy 20:9 nlt
When the officers have finished speaking to their troops, they will appoint the unit commanders.
Deuteronomy 20 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 20:1-8 | "When you go out to battle against your enemies... " (Preceding context) | The sequence of preparation and exemption before battle is foundational. |
| Ex 18:21 | "Moreover, you shall select from all the people able men... and make them rulers..." | Principle of appointing qualified leaders. |
| Num 27:17 | "who may go out before them and come in before them, who may lead them out and bring them in..." | Moses praying for a leader to guide the people in all their movements. |
| Josh 1:10 | "And Joshua commanded the officers of the people, 'Pass through the camp...'" | Officers' role in preparing and giving instructions before action. |
| 1 Sam 8:12 | "He will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties..." | The role of leadership in organizing an army is a consistent theme. |
| 1 Chron 27:1 | "The Israelites, according to their numbers, were the heads of fathers’ households..." | Detailed organization and appointed commanders within David's army. |
| Prov 11:14 | "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is victory." | Emphasizes the need for wise leadership for success. |
| Prov 21:31 | "The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord." | Human preparation (like appointing commanders) is necessary, but God grants victory. |
| 1 Cor 14:40 | "But all things should be done decently and in order." | New Testament principle of order, echoing the structured preparation in Deut. |
| Heb 13:17 | "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls..." | The necessity of submission to appointed authority. |
| 2 Chron 20:15 | "Thus says the Lord to you: 'Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God's.'" | God is the ultimate commander, despite human leadership. |
| Zech 4:6 | "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts." | Divine empowerment is superior to military might. |
| Deut 1:15 | "So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and experienced men, and made them heads over you..." | Moses appointing different levels of leadership over the people. |
| Deut 31:6 | "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear... for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you..." | Divine presence with the army, reinforcing the priest's exhortation. |
| Judg 7:2 | "The Lord said to Gideon, 'The people who are with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand...'" | God intentionally reduces numbers to show His power, validating careful selection. |
| Josh 3:2 | "After three days the officers went through the camp..." | The continuing administrative role of "officers" (shoterim) in leading. |
| Ps 20:7 | "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." | Reliance on God, not just military organization, for success. |
| Eph 6:11-12 | "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." | Spiritual warfare also requires putting on the full "armor" and "leadership." |
| Luke 14:31 | "Or what king, going out to engage another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate..." | Prudence and strategic planning, including leadership appointments, before battle. |
| Rom 13:1 | "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God..." | Divine establishment of order and authority, whether civil or military. |
Deuteronomy 20 verses
Deuteronomy 20 9 Meaning
Deuteronomy 20:9 concludes the pre-battle muster and addresses the final organizational step for the Israelite army. After the priestly exhortation and the officers' announcement of legitimate exemptions from military service, this verse mandates the appointment of military commanders over the remaining, now purified and unified, fighting force. This ensures that the battle-ready men are properly led and ordered before engaging in warfare, highlighting the necessity of both divine blessing and human organization in executing God's purposes.
Deuteronomy 20 9 Context
Deuteronomy chapter 20 outlines the laws of warfare given to Israel by God through Moses. The preceding verses (20:1-4) provide a foundational encouragement to the people, assuring them that the Lord their God will go with them and fight for them. This divine assurance precedes any human military action. Following this, verses 5-8 detail a unique set of exemptions from military service, allowing those who built a new house, planted a new vineyard, were betrothed, or were fainthearted to return home. These exemptions demonstrate God's compassion and desire for a fully committed fighting force. Verse 9 then acts as the concluding step in this pre-battle process, where the non-military officials ("officers") finish their announcements, and the proper military leadership ("commanders") is established over the now-ready army, preparing them to enter battle under organized command.
Deuteronomy 20 9 Word analysis
- And it shall be, (וְהָיָה, v'haya): This phrase frequently introduces a consequential event or a next step in a sequence. It signals the completion of the prior action and the beginning of the subsequent one. Here, it marks the transition from announcements to active organization.
- when the officers (הַשֹּׁטְרִים, ha-shoterim): These were administrative or civil officials, not direct military commanders. Their role was to enforce the law, maintain order, and oversee public affairs, including the muster for war. They functioned as scribes, overseers, or magistrates (e.g., Ex 5:6, Deut 1:15). In this context, they were responsible for announcing the exemptions, verifying eligibility, and processing those who were dismissed.
- have finished speaking to the people, (כַּכַּלֹּת הַדַּבְּרִים אֶל הָעָם, ka-kallot ha-diberim el ha-ʿam): This signifies the completion of the verbal instructions and procedures (the exhortation by the priest and the declarations of exemption by the officers). The preparatory phase of speech and selection is concluded.
- that they shall appoint (וּפָקְדוּ, u'phaqedu): From the verb פָּקַד (paqad), meaning "to visit, muster, number, appoint, entrust." Here, it specifically means to "appoint" or "designate." It emphasizes the act of placing individuals into positions of authority and responsibility. The shoterim likely performed this act, or at least facilitated it under divine direction, thereby passing the leadership baton from administration to military command.
- commanders of the armies (שָׂרֵי צְבָאוֹת, sarei tzva'ot): Literally "princes of hosts/armies" or "chiefs of forces." These are the actual military leaders, distinguished from the shoterim. They are the generals, captains, and tactical leaders responsible for directing the troops in battle. This transition marks the shift from civil administration to military hierarchy.
- at the head of the people. (עַל רֹאשׁ הָעָם, al rosh ha'am): This idiom means "over the head of the people," signifying leadership, authority, and marching at the front. The appointed commanders are to lead the people directly into battle, not merely oversee their formation from afar. This emphasizes their active role in leading the military engagement.
- "the officers have finished speaking": This highlights the transition point. The civil administrators have completed their tasks of screening and encouraging, clearing the way for active military command. It emphasizes order and sequence in God's processes.
- "they shall appoint commanders of the armies": This collective action, presumably by the shoterim or tribal elders under their direction, formalizes the military structure. It shows the careful selection and delegation of authority required for a holy war, distinguishing those who manage people from those who lead them in combat.
- "commanders of the armies at the head of the people": This phrase emphasizes that effective military leadership involves active front-line presence and direction, not merely oversight. The commanders are positioned to lead the charge, guiding and inspiring the fighting force. This contrasts with fear-stricken leaders, whom the exemptions had previously filtered out.
Deuteronomy 20 9 Bonus section
This verse subtly underscores Israel's distinctiveness from contemporary ANE (Ancient Near Eastern) armies. While other nations relied solely on conscription and fear, Israel's divine law integrated moral and personal considerations (exemptions), spiritual reliance (priest's words), and meticulous organizational steps for a truly unified and committed fighting force. This highlights God's holistic approach: spiritual commitment, psychological readiness, and military discipline are all paramount for engaging in His battles. It also ensures that the fighting men are not those compelled by mere force, but those willing and fully dedicated to the task at hand under proper leadership. This pre-battle organization and sifting process reflect the principle of quality over quantity, a recurring theme in biblical narratives of warfare (e.g., Gideon's army).
Deuteronomy 20 9 Commentary
Deuteronomy 20:9 concludes a critical stage in Israel's preparation for warfare, embodying divine wisdom concerning military order and human psychology. It illustrates that war is not simply an chaotic conflict but a divinely ordained enterprise requiring meticulous organization. The sequence—divine reassurance, priestly exhortation, administrative selection of troops via specific exemptions (personal commitments, fear), and finally, the appointment of competent military commanders—reveals a profound understanding of what makes a unified, effective, and spiritually aligned army. The role of the "officers" (shoterim) in managing the administrative and logistical aspects of muster, and then formally handing over the reins to the "commanders of armies" (sarei tzva'ot) for active combat leadership, showcases a structured chain of command that ensures efficiency and accountability. This careful progression filters out the unwilling or unready, leaving a consecrated and committed force that is both spiritually prepared by God's promise and physically organized under competent leadership, reflecting the divine expectation for order even amidst the chaos of battle.
Example: Just as a builder finishes detailed plans before carpenters start framing, or a coach confirms every player's readiness before a final lineup is announced, God's system ensures His people are properly prepared and led into their specific callings.