Deuteronomy 2:16

Instructions Concerning Ammon

2:16 So it was that after all the military men had been eliminated from the community, ¹ 

Deuteronomy 20:2

20:2 As you move forward for battle, the priest ²  will approach and say to the soldiers, ³ 

Deuteronomy 2:14

2:14 Now the length of time it took for us to go from Kadesh Barnea to the crossing of Wadi Zered was thirty-eight years, time for all the military men of that generation to die, just as the Lord had vowed to them.

[2:16]  ¹ tn Heb “and it was when they were eliminated, all the men of war, to die from the midst of the people.”

[20:2]  ² sn The reference to the priest suggests also the presence of the ark of the covenant, the visible sign of God’s presence. The whole setting is clearly that of “holy war” or “Yahweh war,” in which God himself takes initiative as the true commander of the forces of Israel (cf. Exod 14:14-18; 15:3-10; Deut 3:22; 7:18-24; 31:6, 8).

[20:2]  ³ tn Heb “and he will say to the people.” Cf. NIV, NCV, CEV “the army”; NRSV, NLT “the troops.”