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Text -- Deuteronomy 20:5 (NET)

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Context
20:5 Moreover, the officers are to say to the troops, “Who among you has built a new house and not dedicated it? He may go home, lest he die in battle and someone else dedicate it.
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Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Dictionary Themes and Topics: WRITING, 2 | Soldiers | NEW; NEWNESS | Moses | House | Dedication | DEUTERONOMY | DEDICATE; DEDICATION | Armies | ARMY | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Wesley , JFB , Clarke , Calvin , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Haydock , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes , Geneva Bible

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Keil-Delitzsch , Constable , Guzik

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Wesley: Deu 20:5 - -- This and the following exceptions are to be understood only of a war allowed by God, not in a war commanded by God, not in the approaching war with th...

This and the following exceptions are to be understood only of a war allowed by God, not in a war commanded by God, not in the approaching war with the Canaanites, from which even the bridegroom was not exempted, as the Jewish writers note.

JFB: Deu 20:5-8 - -- Literally, Shoterim, who are called "scribes" or "overseers" (Exo 5:6). They might be keepers of the muster-roll, or perhaps rather military heralds, ...

Literally, Shoterim, who are called "scribes" or "overseers" (Exo 5:6). They might be keepers of the muster-roll, or perhaps rather military heralds, whose duty it was to announce the orders of the generals (2Ch 26:11). This proclamation (Deu 20:5-8) must have been made previous to the priest's address, as great disorder and inconvenience must have been occasioned if the serried ranks were broken by the departure of those to whom the privilege was granted. Four grounds of exemption are expressly mentioned: (1) The dedication of a new house, which, as in all Oriental countries still, was an important event, and celebrated by festive and religious ceremonies (Neh 12:27); exemption for a year. (2) The planting of a vineyard. The fruit of the first three years being declared unfit for use, and the first-fruits producible on the fourth, the exemption in this case lasted at least four years. (3) The betrothal of a wife, which was always a considerable time before marriage. It was deemed a great hardship to leave a house unfinished, a new property half cultivated, and a recently contracted marriage; and the exemptions allowed in these cases were founded on the principle that a man's heart being deeply engrossed by something at a distance, he would not be very enthusiastic in the public service. (4) The ground of exemption was cowardice. From the composition of the Israelitish army, which was an irregular militia, all above twenty years being liable to serve, many totally unfit for war must have been called to the field; and it was therefore a prudential arrangement to rid the army of such unwarlike elements--persons who could render no efficient service, and the contagion of whose craven spirit might lead to panic and defeat.

Clarke: Deu 20:5 - -- That hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? - From the title of Psa 30:1-12, - A Psalm or Song at the Dedication of the House of David -...

That hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? - From the title of Psa 30:1-12, - A Psalm or Song at the Dedication of the House of David - it is evident that it was a custom in Israel to dedicate a new house to God with prayer, praise, and thanksgiving; and this was done in order to secure the Divine presence and blessing, for no pious or sensible man could imagine he could dwell safely in a house that was not under the immediate protection of God. Hence it has been a custom in the most barbarous nations to consecrate a part of a new house to the deity they worshipped. The houses of the inhabitants of Bonny, in Africa, are generally divided into three apartments: one is a kind of state room or parlour; another serves for a common room, or kitchen; and the third is dedicated to the Juju, the serpent god, which they worship; for even those savages believe that in every house their god should have his temple! At the times of dedication among the Jews, besides prayer and praise, a feast was made, to which the relatives and neighbors were invited. Something of this custom is observed in some parts of our own country in what is called warming the house; but in these cases the feasting only is kept up - the prayer and praise forgotten! so that the dedication appears to be rather more to Bacchus than to Jehovah, the author of every good and perfect gift.

Calvin: Deu 20:5 - -- 5.And the officers shall speak unto the people. I have added the commencement, “ quum bellandum erit, ” (when there shall be war,) that my reader...

5.And the officers shall speak unto the people. I have added the commencement, “ quum bellandum erit, ” (when there shall be war,) that my readers may know what is the subject here discussed; for although the instruction given may seem somewhat remote from the prohibition of theft, still it accords well, and is closely connected with it. For by this indulgence God shews how just it is, that every one should enjoy peaceably what he possesses; because, if it be hard that men on account of war should be deprived of the use of their new house, or of the produce of their vineyard, how much more harsh and intolerable it will be to deprive men of their fortunes, or to drive them from the lands which they justly call their own! Since, therefore, it is expedient for the state that vineyards should be sown or planted, and that houses should be built, whilst men would not address themselves to these duties with sufficient alacrity, unless encouraged by the hope of enjoying them, God gives them the privilege of exemption from fighting, if they be owners of new houses which they have not yet inhabited. He makes also the same appointment as to possessors of vineyards, if they have not yet tasted of the fruit of their labor, and will not have men torn from their affianced wives until they have enjoyed their embraces. A different principle applies to a fourth class, because the faint-hearted and lazy are not deserving that God should have consideration for their cowardice, when they shun dangers to be incurred for the public welfare; but because it concerns the whole people that soldiers should go forth readily to war, God will not have more required from any one than he is disposed to bear. We now understand the substance of this passage, viz., that, when every man’s right is asserted to enjoy what he possesses, it extends so far as that a man who has built a house should not be dragged unwillingly to war, until by dwelling in it he shall have received some advantage from the expenses incurred. To make a vineyard common, 162 or to profane it, is equivalent to applying the vintage to the common uses of life; for it was not lawful, as we saw under the First Commandment, 163 to gather its first-fruits, as if it were as yet uncircumcised; therefore the recompence for their industry and diligence is made when those who have planted vines are thus set free, until they have enjoyed some of their produce. As regards the betrothed, although it seems to have been an indulgence granted in honor of marriage, that they should return to the wives whom they had not yet enjoyed, yet it is probable that they were not torn away from the dearest of all possessions, in order that every man’s property should be maintained. Besides, if the hope of progeny were taken away, the inheritance would be thus transferred to others, which would have been tantamount to diverting it from its rightful owner. We have said that the lazy and timid were sent home, that the Israelites might learn that none were to be pressed beyond their ability; and this also depends upon that rule of equity 164 which dictates that we should abstain from all unjust oppression.

TSK: Deu 20:5 - -- the officers : Deu 1:15, Deu 16:18; Num 31:14, Num 31:48; 1Sa 17:18 dedicated : Neh 12:27; Psa 30:1 *title

the officers : Deu 1:15, Deu 16:18; Num 31:14, Num 31:48; 1Sa 17:18

dedicated : Neh 12:27; Psa 30:1 *title

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: Deu 20:5 - -- The officers dedicated it - See Exo 5:6 note. Compare the marginal references. The expression is appropriate, because various ceremonies of a r...

The officers dedicated it - See Exo 5:6 note.

Compare the marginal references. The expression is appropriate, because various ceremonies of a religious kind were customary among the Jews on taking possession of a new house. The immunity conferred in this verse lasted, like that in Deu 20:7 (compare Deu 24:5), for one year.

Poole: Deu 20:5 - -- Houses were dedicated by feasting and thanksgiving to God. See Psa 30:1 Neh 12:27 . Heb. hath initiated it , i. e. entered upon it, taken possess...

Houses were dedicated by feasting and thanksgiving to God. See Psa 30:1 Neh 12:27 . Heb. hath initiated it , i. e. entered upon it, taken possession of it, dwelt in it.

Let him return to his house lest his heart be set upon it, and thereby he be negligent or timorous in the battle, to the scandal and prejudice of others.

Another man dedicate it and so he should lose and another get the fruit of his labours, which might seem unjust or hard. And God provides even for men’ s infirmities. But this and the following exceptions are to be understood only of a war allowed by God, not in a war commanded by God, not in the approaching war with the Canaanites, from which even the bridegroom was not exempted, as the Jewish writers note.

Haydock: Deu 20:5 - -- Captains. Hebrew, " shoterim, (Septuagint grammateis, ) shall proclaim to the people." Whether these were the chief officers, or only heralds, do...

Captains. Hebrew, " shoterim, (Septuagint grammateis, ) shall proclaim to the people." Whether these were the chief officers, or only heralds, does not appear. (Calmet) ---

They were probably the priests attached to the army, ver. 2. See chap. i. 15. (Haydock) ---

Dedicate it. Hebrew, "begin to use it," on which occasion a feast was made. (Jansenius) ---

Psalm xxix seems to have been intended for such a solemnity. At the dedication of the walls of Jerusalem great rejoicings were made, 2 Esdras xii. 27. Josephus and the Rabbins allow a whole year for the occupation of the house, before the builder or new owner, could be obliged to go to war, in like manner as that term is specified for a person who had lately married a wife, chap. xxiv.5. The ancient Greeks deemed it a great misfortune to leave a house unfinished and a new wife desolate, which was the case of Protesilaus. (Homer, Iliad i.)

Gill: Deu 20:5 - -- And the officers shall speak unto the people,.... What these officers were is not easy to say; they seem not to be officers of the army, for they are ...

And the officers shall speak unto the people,.... What these officers were is not easy to say; they seem not to be officers of the army, for they are distinguished from captains of the armies, Deu 20:9, unless they can be thought to be general officers; but the word for them is the same that is used of such that attended the judges and were ministers to them, Deu 16:18, and perhaps they were a sort of heralds that published and proclaimed what the anointed of war had said; and so the above writer h affirms, that what here follows was first spoken by him, and after that (what is said, Deu 20:3) the anointed of war speaks, saying:

what man is there,.... (to the end of Deu 20:7) thus far the anointed of war speaks, and then an officer causes all the people to hear it with an high voice, saying:

what man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? or perfected it, as the Targum of Jonathan, not quite finished it, has not, as that paraphrast says, fixed in it the door posts, or rather perhaps he means the Mezuzah, or writing, which the Jews thought themselves obliged to fasten to the door posts of their houses; see Deu 11:20 until this was done, an house was not thought to be completed; though Jarchi interprets this of inhabitation; of a man's having built a house, but has not yet dwelt in it; see Deu 28:30, so Josephus i explains it, of its not having been used and enjoyed by a man a full year; but there seems to be something more than all this in dedication; for though it does not signify a consecration or dedication of it to holy uses, as the dedication of the tabernacle and temple, yet there was something done, some ceremony used at entrance into a new house; a good man entered into it, no doubt, with prayer and praise, as the thirtieth psalm was composed by David at the dedication of his house; see Neh 12:27 and perhaps it was usual to have their friends together, and make a cheerful entertainment on the occasion. Ben Melech on the place, assures us it was a custom to make a feast and merriment at eating the first meal in a new house:

let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it; or perfect it, as the above Targum, or dwell in it, as well as have the pleasure of entertaining his friends in it at the first opening of it; this was either a command, enjoining a man, in such a circumstance, to return, and so the rest that follow, or a permission to him, allowing him to do it if he thought fit.

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Deu 20:5 Heb “another man.”

Geneva Bible: Deu 20:5 And the officers shall speak unto the people, saying, What man [is there] that hath built a new house, and hath not ( c ) dedicated it? let him go and...

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: Deu 20:1-20 - --1 The priest's exhortation to encourage the people to battle.5 The officers' proclamation of who are to be dismissed from the war.10 How to use the ci...

MHCC: Deu 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...

Matthew Henry: Deu 20:1-9 - -- 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 t...

Keil-Delitzsch: Deu 20:1-9 - -- Instructions Relating to Military Service. - If the Israelites went out to battle against their foes, and saw horses and chariots, a people more num...

Constable: Deu 5:1--26:19 - --IV. MOSES' SECOND MAJOR ADDRESS: AN EXPOSITION OF THE LAW chs. 5--26 ". . . Deuteronomy contains the most compre...

Constable: Deu 12:1--25:19 - --B. An exposition of selected covenant laws 12-25 Moses' homiletical exposition of the law of Israel that...

Constable: Deu 19:1--22:9 - --6. Laws arising from the sixth commandment 19:1-22:8 The sixth commandment is, "You shall not mu...

Constable: Deu 20:1-20 - --War ch. 20 These instructions deal with how Israel was to come into possession of the Pr...

Guzik: Deu 20:1-20 - --Deuteronomy 20 - Instructions Concerning Warfare A. The spiritual and practical preparation of the army. 1. (1) The command to trust in God. When ...

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Introduction / Outline

JFB: Deuteronomy (Book Introduction) DEUTERONOMY, the second law, a title which plainly shows what is the object of this book, namely, a recapitulation of the law. It was given in the for...

JFB: Deuteronomy (Outline) MOSES' SPEECH AT THE END OF THE FORTIETH YEAR. (Deu. 1:1-46) THE STORY IS CONTINUED. (Deu. 2:1-37) CONQUEST OF OG, KING OF BASHAN. (Deu. 3:1-20) AN E...

TSK: Deuteronomy (Book Introduction) The book of Deuteronomy marks the end of the Pentateuch, commonly called the Law of Moses; a work every way worthy of God its author, and only less th...

TSK: Deuteronomy 20 (Chapter Introduction) Overview Deu 20:1, The priest’s exhortation to encourage the people to battle; Deu 20:5, The officers’ proclamation of who are to be dismissed...

Poole: Deuteronomy (Book Introduction) FIFTH BOOK of MOSES, CALLED DEUTERONOMY THE ARGUMENT Moses, in the two last months of his life, rehearseth what God had done for them, and their ...

Poole: Deuteronomy 20 (Chapter Introduction) CHAPTER 20 The priest’ s exhortation to encourage the people to fight their enemies, Deu 20:1-4 . The officers’ proclamation who are to ...

MHCC: Deuteronomy (Book Introduction) This book repeats much of the history and of the laws contained in the three foregoing books: Moses delivered it to Israel a little before his death, ...

MHCC: Deuteronomy 20 (Chapter Introduction) (Deu 20:1-9) Exhortation and proclamation respecting those who went to war. (Deu 20:10-20) Peace to be offered, What cities were to be devoted.

Matthew Henry: Deuteronomy (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Fifth Book of Moses, Called Deuteronomy This book is a repetition of very much both of the history ...

Matthew Henry: Deuteronomy 20 (Chapter Introduction) This chapter settles the militia, and establishes the laws and ordinances of war, I. Relating to the soldiers. 1. Those must be encouraged that w...

Constable: Deuteronomy (Book Introduction) Introduction Title The title of this book in the Hebrew Bible was its first two words,...

Constable: Deuteronomy (Outline) Outline I. Introduction: the covenant setting 1:1-5 II. Moses' first major address: a review...

Constable: Deuteronomy Deuteronomy Bibliography Adams, Jay. Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage in the Bible. Phillipsburg, N.J.: Presbyt...

Haydock: Deuteronomy (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION. THE BOOK OF DEUTERONOMY. This Book is called Deuteronomy, which signifies a second law , because it repeats and inculcates the ...

Gill: Deuteronomy (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY This book is sometimes called "Elleh hadebarim", from the words with which it begins; and sometimes by the Jews "Mishne...

Gill: Deuteronomy 20 (Chapter Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 20 In this chapter rules are given to be observed in times of war. When a battle was near, a priest was to address the ...

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