Deuteronomy 20:2 - It shall be, when you draw near to the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak to the people,
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What does "Deuteronomy 20:2" mean?
This verse from Deuteronomy 20:2 outlines a practice during warfare in ancient Israel. Let's break down what it means:
"It shall be, when you draw near to the battle...": This sets the scene. It's not just any time, but specifically when the Israelite army is about to engage in combat. They are approaching the enemy lines.
"...that the priest shall approach and speak to the people...": A priest, a religious figure, has a specific role to play. He's not there to fight, but to address the soldiers. His presence is intended to bring a spiritual and moral dimension to the battle.
Interpretation and Significance
The verse is the beginning of a speech the priest is supposed to give to the army before a battle. The larger context of Deuteronomy 20 reveals the content of that speech. The priest's address would typically include:
1. Encouragement: He would urge the soldiers not to be afraid of the enemy, emphasizing that God is with them and will deliver them.
2. Exemptions: The chapter goes on to detail exemptions from military service. Certain people are excused from fighting for various reasons, such as:
Someone who has recently built a house and not yet dedicated it.
Someone who has planted a vineyard and not yet enjoyed its fruit.
Someone who has betrothed a wife and not yet married her.
Someone who is fearful and fainthearted (this was thought to weaken the morale of the army).
The purpose of the verse and the priest's address was likely multifaceted:
Religious Justification: To remind the soldiers that God was on their side and that the battle was sanctioned by Him. This could boost morale and give them a sense of righteousness.
Psychological Preparation: To calm fears and anxieties by placing trust in God.
Social Concerns: To ensure that men with pressing personal concerns (new homes, farms, wives) were not forced to fight before attending to those responsibilities. This protected the social fabric and long-term well-being of the community.
Moral Purity: The exemptions may have also served to keep the army "pure" in a ritual sense. A fearful soldier might have been seen as impure or lacking faith, and therefore a liability.
In essence, this verse describes a ritualistic and practical preparation for war, combining religious faith, psychological encouragement, and social considerations. It highlights that war in ancient Israel was not just a military endeavor but also a spiritual and communal one.
Deuteronomy 20:2 - It shall be, when you draw near to the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak to the people,
What does "Deuteronomy 20:2" mean?
This verse from Deuteronomy 20:2 outlines a practice during warfare in ancient Israel. Let's break down what it means:
"It shall be, when you draw near to the battle...": This sets the scene. It's not just any time, but specifically when the Israelite army is about to engage in combat. They are approaching the enemy lines.
"...that the priest shall approach and speak to the people...": A priest, a religious figure, has a specific role to play. He's not there to fight, but to address the soldiers. His presence is intended to bring a spiritual and moral dimension to the battle.
Interpretation and Significance
The verse is the beginning of a speech the priest is supposed to give to the army before a battle. The larger context of Deuteronomy 20 reveals the content of that speech. The priest's address would typically include:
1. Encouragement: He would urge the soldiers not to be afraid of the enemy, emphasizing that God is with them and will deliver them.
2. Exemptions: The chapter goes on to detail exemptions from military service. Certain people are excused from fighting for various reasons, such as:
Someone who has recently built a house and not yet dedicated it.
Someone who has planted a vineyard and not yet enjoyed its fruit.
Someone who has betrothed a wife and not yet married her.
Someone who is fearful and fainthearted (this was thought to weaken the morale of the army).
The purpose of the verse and the priest's address was likely multifaceted:
Religious Justification: To remind the soldiers that God was on their side and that the battle was sanctioned by Him. This could boost morale and give them a sense of righteousness.
Psychological Preparation: To calm fears and anxieties by placing trust in God.
Social Concerns: To ensure that men with pressing personal concerns (new homes, farms, wives) were not forced to fight before attending to those responsibilities. This protected the social fabric and long-term well-being of the community.
Moral Purity: The exemptions may have also served to keep the army "pure" in a ritual sense. A fearful soldier might have been seen as impure or lacking faith, and therefore a liability.
In essence, this verse describes a ritualistic and practical preparation for war, combining religious faith, psychological encouragement, and social considerations. It highlights that war in ancient Israel was not just a military endeavor but also a spiritual and communal one.