Bible Commentaries
Go deeper in Scripture
Browse trusted public-domain commentary alongside DiscipleDeck Bible study. References inside each commentary open Bible previews in place.
35,156 commentary entries
All active commentary sources
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 19:21
The lex talionis was in this case to be observed (cf. Exodus 21:23; Le 24:20). Practically, however, a pecuniary compensation might be accepted for the offence (cf. Josephus, 'Antiq.,' 4.8, 35). HOMILETICS
Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 20:1-9
In the wars wherein Israel engaged according to the will of God, they might expect the Divine assistance. The Lord was to be their only confidence. In these respects they were types of the Christian's warfare. Those unw…
Directions Concerning War; Persons Excused from War. (b. c. 1451.)
DIRECTIONS CONCERNING WAR; PERSONS EXCUSED FROM WAR. (B. C. 1451.) Israel was at this time to be considered rather as a camp than as a kingdom, entering upon an enemy's country, and not yet settled in a country of their…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 20:1-20
The instructions in this chapter are peculiar to Deuteronomy. As the people of God, Israel was not a warlike nation; they were rather to abstain from warfare, and as a general rule to cultivate the arts of peace. But th…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 20:1
When they found themselves opposed by an army more numerous than their own, and better furnished with the material of warfare, they were not to be afraid or discouraged, for Jehovah their God, who had brought them out o…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 20:1-20
Wars to be regulated by Divine precepts. The directions given by Moses in this chapter may serve to show the spirit in which wars should, if undertaken at all, be entered on and prosecuted. We are not called upon here t…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 20:1-5
War. The wars of the world form a large part of its history. Savage nations delight in war, revel in its bloodshed and barbarities. Their heaven is a Valhalla. Civilized communities, while averse from having wars waged…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 20:1-20
EXPOSITION DIRECTIONS CONCERNING WARFARE IN GENERAL, AND FOR THE BESIEGING OF CITIES IN PARTICULAR.
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 20:1-9
Military service to be voluntary. In war, forced service is worse than useless; it is a source of weakness—a cause of defeat. For successful warfare, all the skill and energy of every soldier is demanded; and unless the…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 20:1-20
Religious wars. We have in this chapter an instructive direction about the prosecution of a religious war. For, after all, war may be the only way of advancing the interests of nations. Disputes become so entangled, and…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 20:2
The priest. Not the high priest or any one of the priests, but the military priest, the priest appointed to accompany the army, "the anointed for the war;" משׁיח המלחמה, as the rabbins designate him (cf. Numbers 21:6; 1…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 20:5-7
The officers; the shoterim, the keepers of the genealogical tables (Deuteronomy 16:18). It belonged to them to appoint the men who were to serve, and to release those who had been summoned to the war, but whose domestic…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 20:5-10
Exemptions. Three classes were exempted from service in war, and one class was forbidden to take part in it. The exempted classes were: 1. He who had built a house, but had not dedicated it. 2. He who had planted a vine…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 20:8
The shoterim were also to allow any that were naturally timid and fainthearted to return to their homes, lest, if they remained with the host, others, infected by them, should lose courage and become unfit for service.…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 20:9
The next thing the shoterim had to do was to appoint captains to head the people who were going to war. The army was divided into bands or companies, and over each of these a captain was placed, whose it was to command…
Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 20:10-12
The Israelites are here directed about the nations on whom they made war. Let this show God's grace in dealing with sinners. He proclaims peace, and beseeches them to be reconciled. Let it also show us our duty in deali…
Proclamations of War; Directions Concerning War. (b. c. 1451.)
PROCLAMATIONS OF WAR; DIRECTIONS CONCERNING WAR. (B. C. 1451.) They are here directed what method to take in dealing with the cities (these only are mentioned, Deuteronomy 20:10, but doubtless the armies in the field, a…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 20:10-20
The terrible side of human duty. Sin has made such fatal havoc in our world, that the most severe remedies have to be applied. In the administration of these remedies God has chosen to employ men. Thus he allies himself…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 20:10-20
Directions concerning the besieging of towns. In the case of a town at a distance, not belonging to any of the Canaanitish tribes, on advancing against it they were first of all to summon the inhabitants to a peaceable…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 20:10
Then proclaim peace unto it; i.e. invite it peaceably to surrender.
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 20:10-20
Forbearance and severity. If these rules embody a severity happily rare in modern warfare, they also exhibit a forbearance which many modern nations might well learn from. We have here— I. WAR'S HORRORS MITIGATED. 1. Pe…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 20:11
Shall be tributaries unto thee, and they shall serve thee; literally, shall be to thee for tribute and service. The word rendered by "tribute" ( מַם) denotes properly tribute service, service rendered as a tribute, whet…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 20:14
Shalt eat the spoil; consume it for thine own maintenance.
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 20:16-20
This was for cities at a distance; it was to be otherwise with the cities of the Canaanites. To them no offer of peaceful submission was to be made, and when the city was taken, all the inhabitants without reserve were…