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Deuteronomy 20:2

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Deuteronomy 20:2 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And it shall be, when ye draw nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And it shall be, when ye draw nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people,
Deuteronomy 20:2 — American Standard Version

Context — Deuteronomy 20

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1When thou goest forth to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, [and] a people more than thou, thou shalt not be afraid of them; for Jehovah thy God is with thee, who brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
2And it shall be, when ye draw nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people,
3and shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye draw nigh this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint; fear not, nor tremble, neither be ye affrighted at them;
4for Jehovah your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.
5And the officers shall speak unto the people, saying, What man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it.
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What do historical commentaries say?

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“when ye are come nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people--Jewish writers say that there was a war priest appointed by a special ceremonial to attend the army. It was natural that the solemn objects and motives of religion should have been applied to animate patriotism, and so give additional impulse to valor; other people have done this. But in the case of Israel, the regular attendance of a priest on the battlefield was in accordance with their theocratic government, in which everything was done directly by God through His delegated ministers. It was the province of this priest to sound the trumpets (Num 10:9; Num 31:6), and he had others under him who…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The priest - Not the high priest, but one appointed for the purpose, and called, according to the rabbis, “the anointed of the war”: hence, perhaps the expression of Jeremiah 6:4, etc. “prepare ye” (literally consecrate) “war.” Thus, Phinehas went with the warriors to fight against Midian (Numbers 31:6; compare 1Sa 4:4, 1 Samuel 4:11; 2 Chronicles 13:12). return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Speak unto the people - Probably to one regiment of the army after another. Deuteronomy 20:5”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Num 10:8, Num 10:9, Num 31:6; Jdg 20:27, Jdg 20:28; Sa1 14:18, Sa1 30:7, Sa1 30:8; Ch2 13:12 Deuteronomy 20:3”
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Related study paths

Read Deuteronomy 20 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification