Deuteronomy 20:3 - and shall tell them, “Hear, Israel, you draw near today to battle against your enemies. Don’t let your heart faint! Don’t be afraid, nor tremble, neither be scared of them;
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What does "Deuteronomy 20:3" mean?
This verse, Deuteronomy 20:3, is part of a speech delivered by a priest to the Israelite army before they go into battle. It's essentially a pep talk and a reassurance from God. Let's break it down:
"and shall tell them, 'Hear, Israel, you draw near today to battle against your enemies.'"
This sets the scene. The priest is addressing the entire Israelite army. They are about to engage in combat with their enemies.
"Hear, Israel" is a classic call to attention, reminding them of their identity and covenant relationship with God.
"Don’t let your heart faint!"
This is the first command, directly addressing the soldiers' potential fear. "Faint" here means to lose courage, to become discouraged, or to lose heart in the face of danger. The priest is telling them to be brave and resolute.
"Don’t be afraid, nor tremble, neither be scared of them;"
This is a triple emphasis against fear. Each word – "afraid," "tremble," "scared" – reinforces the message: do not give in to fear.
The repetition underscores the natural human reaction to war – terror – and explicitly commands the soldiers to overcome it. The command is meant to inspire confidence and boldness.
In essence, the verse means:
The priest is telling the Israelite soldiers that despite the danger of battle, they should not lose heart or be overcome by fear. They should maintain their courage and confidence as they go into combat against their enemies. This encouragement is intended to strengthen them mentally and emotionally for the task ahead. The implication, based on the broader context of Deuteronomy, is that their victory depends not just on their skill, but also on their faith and obedience to God. They are to trust that God will be with them in the battle.
The significance of this verse lies in:
Psychological warfare: It acknowledges the fear that is natural in combat and addresses it directly.
Spiritual preparation: It reminds the soldiers of their covenant with God and that their strength comes from Him.
Moral encouragement: It calls them to courage and bravery in the face of adversity.
By overcoming their fear, they are more likely to fight effectively and, in the context of the book of Deuteronomy, be victorious because of God's favor.
Deuteronomy 20:3 - and shall tell them, “Hear, Israel, you draw near today to battle against your enemies. Don’t let your heart faint! Don’t be afraid, nor tremble, neither be scared of them;
What does "Deuteronomy 20:3" mean?
This verse, Deuteronomy 20:3, is part of a speech delivered by a priest to the Israelite army before they go into battle. It's essentially a pep talk and a reassurance from God. Let's break it down:
"and shall tell them, 'Hear, Israel, you draw near today to battle against your enemies.'"
This sets the scene. The priest is addressing the entire Israelite army. They are about to engage in combat with their enemies.
"Hear, Israel" is a classic call to attention, reminding them of their identity and covenant relationship with God.
"Don’t let your heart faint!"
This is the first command, directly addressing the soldiers' potential fear. "Faint" here means to lose courage, to become discouraged, or to lose heart in the face of danger. The priest is telling them to be brave and resolute.
"Don’t be afraid, nor tremble, neither be scared of them;"
This is a triple emphasis against fear. Each word – "afraid," "tremble," "scared" – reinforces the message: do not give in to fear.
The repetition underscores the natural human reaction to war – terror – and explicitly commands the soldiers to overcome it. The command is meant to inspire confidence and boldness.
In essence, the verse means:
The priest is telling the Israelite soldiers that despite the danger of battle, they should not lose heart or be overcome by fear. They should maintain their courage and confidence as they go into combat against their enemies. This encouragement is intended to strengthen them mentally and emotionally for the task ahead. The implication, based on the broader context of Deuteronomy, is that their victory depends not just on their skill, but also on their faith and obedience to God. They are to trust that God will be with them in the battle.
The significance of this verse lies in:
Psychological warfare: It acknowledges the fear that is natural in combat and addresses it directly.
Spiritual preparation: It reminds the soldiers of their covenant with God and that their strength comes from Him.
Moral encouragement: It calls them to courage and bravery in the face of adversity.
By overcoming their fear, they are more likely to fight effectively and, in the context of the book of Deuteronomy, be victorious because of God's favor.