Deuteronomy 20 Summary

Deuteronomy 20 sets forth Israel's laws governing warfare. Moses opens with an exhortation not to fear larger enemy forces, because the LORD who brought Israel out of Egypt goes with them to fight on their behalf; a priest is to deliver this assurance to the troops before battle. Officers are then to release from service any man who has built a new house, planted a vineyard, betrothed a wife but not yet married, or who is simply fearful, so that neither unfinished personal commitments nor fainthearted soldiers undermine the army. The chapter then distinguishes two categories of enemy cities: distant cities may first be offered peace and, if they refuse, their males are to be killed while women, children, and livestock are taken as spoil; but the Canaanite nations within the promised land are to be completely destroyed so that their idolatrous practices cannot corrupt Israel. Finally, a law of environmental restraint is given: fruit trees must not be cut down during a siege, though non-fruit-bearing trees may be felled for use in siege works.