Deuteronomy 20:13
Deuteronomy 20:13 in Multiple Translations
When the LORD your God has delivered it into your hand, you must put every male to the sword.
And when the LORD thy God hath delivered it into thine hands, thou shalt smite every male thereof with the edge of the sword:
and when Jehovah thy God delivereth it into thy hand, thou shalt smite every male thereof with the edge of the sword:
And when the Lord your God has given it into your hands, let every male in it be put to death without mercy.
Once the Lord your God has handed it over to you, kill every male with the sword.
And the Lord thy God shall deliuer it into thine handes, and thou shalt smite all the males thereof with the edge of the sworde.
and Jehovah thy God hath given it into thy hand, and thou hast smitten every male of it by the mouth of the sword.
When the LORD your God delivers it into your hand, you shall strike every male of it with the edge of the sword;
And when the LORD thy God hath delivered it into thy hands, thou shalt smite every male of it with the edge of the sword:
And when the Lord thy God shall deliver it into thy bands, thou shalt slay all that are therein of the male sex, with the edge of the sword,
Then, when Yahweh our God enables you to capture [IDM] the city, you must kill all the men in the city.
Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 20:13
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Deuteronomy 20:13 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וּ/נְתָנָ֛/הּ
יְהוָ֥ה
אֱלֹהֶ֖י/ךָ
בְּ/יָדֶ֑/ךָ
וְ/הִכִּיתָ֥
אֶת
כָּל
זְכוּרָ֖/הּ
לְ/פִי
חָֽרֶב
וּ/נְתָנָ֛/הּ
nâthan
H5414
to give
Conj | V-Qal-3ms | Suff
יְהוָ֥ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
אֱלֹהֶ֖י/ךָ
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
God
N-mp | Suff
בְּ/יָדֶ֑/ךָ
yâd
H3027
hand
Prep | N-cs | Suff
וְ/הִכִּיתָ֥
nâkâh
H5221
to smite
Conj | V-Hiphil-2ms
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
זְכוּרָ֖/הּ
zâkûwr
H2138
male
N-ms | Suff
לְ/פִי
peh
H6310
lip
Prep | N-ms
חָֽרֶב
chereb
H2719
sword
N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 20:13
וּ/נְתָנָ֛/הּ
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
Conj | V-Qal-3ms | Suff
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
יְהוָ֥ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
אֱלֹהֶ֖י/ךָ
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
"God"
N-mp | Suff
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
בְּ/יָדֶ֑/ךָ
yâd
H3027
"hand"
Prep | N-cs | Suff
In the Bible, 'yad' refers to an open hand, symbolizing power or direction. It can also mean strength or a part of something, like a side or a share. The word is used in many contexts, including anatomy and everyday life.
Definition: : hand/arm[anatomy] 1) hand 1a) hand (of man) 1b) strength, power (fig.) 1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.) 1d) (various special, technical senses) 1d1) sign, monument 1d2) part, fractional part, share 1d3) time, repetition 1d4) axle-trees, axle 1d5) stays, support (for laver) 1d6) tenons (in tabernacle) 1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure) 1d8) wrists
Usage: Occurs in 1446 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 7:19; Leviticus 14:22.
וְ/הִכִּיתָ֥
nâkâh
H5221
"to smite"
Conj | V-Hiphil-2ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to strike or hit something, and it's used in many different ways, like in Exodus when God strikes down the Egyptians. It can also mean to punish or destroy, as seen in Isaiah. The word is used to describe God's judgment.
Definition: 1) to strike, smite, hit, beat, slay, kill 1a)(Niphal) to be stricken or smitten 1b) (Pual) to be stricken or smitten 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to smite, strike, beat, scourge, clap, applaud, give a thrust 1c2) to smite, kill, slay (man or beast) 1c3) to smite, attack, attack and destroy, conquer, subjugate, ravage 1c4) to smite, chastise, send judgment upon, punish, destroy 1d) (Hophal) to be smitten 1d1) to receive a blow 1d2) to be wounded 1d3) to be beaten 1d4) to be (fatally) smitten, be killed, be slain 1d5) to be attacked and captured 1d6) to be smitten (with disease) 1d7) to be blighted (of plants)
Usage: Occurs in 461 OT verses. KJV: beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), [idiom] go forward, [idiom] indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer, punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give) stripes, [idiom] surely, wound. See also: Genesis 4:15; Joshua 10:20; 1 Samuel 29:5.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
זְכוּרָ֖/הּ
zâkûwr
H2138
"male"
N-ms | Suff
This word simply means a male person or animal, used in Genesis and Leviticus to describe the male sex. It's a basic term in the Bible, distinguishing between males and females in various contexts.
Definition: male
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: males, men-children. See also: Exodus 23:17; Deuteronomy 16:16; Deuteronomy 20:13.
לְ/פִי
peh
H6310
"lip"
Prep | N-ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to the mouth, lips, or edge of something, and can also mean a portion or side of something. It is often used to describe speech or the act of speaking. This word appears in various forms, such as mouth, lip, or edge.
Definition: : lip/mouth peh 1) mouth 1a) mouth (of man) 1b) mouth (as organ of speech) 1c) mouth (of animals) 1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc) 1e) extremity, end pim 2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21
Usage: Occurs in 460 OT verses. KJV: accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment), [idiom] eat, edge, end, entry, [phrase] file, hole, [idiom] in, mind, mouth, part, portion, [idiom] (should) say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, tenor, [idiom] to, [phrase] two-edged, wish, word. See also: Genesis 4:11; Deuteronomy 21:17; Ezra 9:11.
חָֽרֶב
chereb
H2719
"sword"
N-fs
A sword or cutting instrument is what this Hebrew word refers to, including knives and tools for cutting stone. It is used in the Bible to describe weapons and sharp objects.
Definition: 1) sword, knife 1a) sword 1b) knife 1c) tools for cutting stone
Usage: Occurs in 372 OT verses. KJV: axe, dagger, knife, mattock, sword, tool. See also: Genesis 3:24; 2 Samuel 2:16; Psalms 7:13.
Study Notes — Deuteronomy 20:13
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Deuteronomy 20:13 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 20:13
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 20:13
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 20:13
- Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 20:13
- Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 20:13
- Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 20:13
- Sermons on Deuteronomy 20:13
Context — Laws of Warfare
11If they accept your offer of peace and open their gates, all the people there will become forced laborers to serve you.
12But if they refuse to make peace with you and wage war against you, lay siege to that city.
13When the LORD your God has delivered it into your hand, you must put every male to the sword.
14But the women, children, livestock, and whatever else is in the city—all its spoil—you may take as plunder, and you shall use the spoil of your enemies that the LORD your God gives you. 15This is how you are to treat all the cities that are far away from you and do not belong to the nations nearby.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 2:6–12 | “I have installed My King on Zion, upon My holy mountain.” I will proclaim the decree spoken to Me by the LORD: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father. Ask Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance, the ends of the earth Your possession. You will break them with an iron scepter; You will shatter them like pottery. ” Therefore be wise, O kings; be admonished, O judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry and you perish in your rebellion, when His wrath ignites in an instant. Blessed are all who take refuge in Him. |
| 2 | 1 Kings 11:15–16 | Earlier, when David was in Edom, Joab the commander of the army had gone to bury the dead and had struck down every male in Edom. Joab and all Israel had stayed there six months, until he had killed every male in Edom. |
| 3 | Psalms 110:1 | The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.” |
| 4 | 2 Thessalonians 1:7–9 | and to grant relief to you who are oppressed and to us as well. This will take place when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in blazing fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the penalty of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His might, |
| 5 | Luke 19:27 | And these enemies of mine who were unwilling for me to rule over them, bring them here and slay them in front of me.’” |
| 6 | Numbers 31:7–9 | Then they waged war against Midian, as the LORD had commanded Moses, and they killed every male. Among the slain were Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba—the five kings of Midian. They also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword. The Israelites captured the Midianite women and their children, and they plundered all their herds, flocks, and goods. |
| 7 | Psalms 21:8–9 | Your hand will apprehend all Your enemies; Your right hand will seize those who hate You. You will place them in a fiery furnace at the time of Your appearing. In His wrath the LORD will engulf them, and the fire will consume them. |
| 8 | Numbers 31:17–18 | So now, kill all the boys, as well as every woman who has had relations with a man, but spare for yourselves every girl who has never had relations with a man. |
Deuteronomy 20:13 Summary
[This verse is about God giving the Israelites victory over their enemies and instructing them to trust in His power and justice, as seen in Deuteronomy 20:4 and Psalm 37:39. It's a reminder that God is the one who gives us victory and delivers us from our enemies, as promised in Exodus 14:14 and 2 Chronicles 20:17. As Christians, we can apply this principle by trusting in God's sovereignty and goodness, even when things don't make sense, and looking to scriptures like Romans 8:28 and Jeremiah 29:11 for comfort and guidance.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does God command the Israelites to put every male to the sword in Deuteronomy 20:13?
This command is part of God's judgment on the wicked nations that occupied the land before the Israelites, as seen in Deuteronomy 9:5 and Leviticus 18:24-25, and it is a call to trust in God's sovereignty and justice.
Is this verse promoting violence or genocide?
In context, this verse is part of a larger instruction on how to conduct war in a way that honors God, with Deuteronomy 20:10-18 providing guidelines for offering peace and treating captives, and it must be balanced with other scriptures like Exodus 20:13 and Matthew 5:21 that teach the value of human life.
How does this verse apply to Christians today?
While this specific command is part of the Old Testament law and not directly applicable to Christians, the principle of trusting in God's sovereignty and justice remains, as seen in Romans 12:19 and Hebrews 10:30, and Christians are called to trust in God's goodness and justice in all circumstances.
What does it mean to 'put every male to the sword'?
This phrase is a figurative expression for executing judgment on the leaders and soldiers of the enemy city, as seen in Deuteronomy 20:12, and it symbolizes the complete defeat of the enemy and the establishment of God's people in the land, in line with God's promise in Genesis 12:7 and Joshua 1:3-4.
Reflection Questions
- What does this verse reveal about God's character and His relationship with His people?
- How does this command relate to the broader theme of God's judgment and mercy in the Bible?
- In what ways can I trust in God's sovereignty and justice in my own life, even when circumstances seem difficult or confusing?
- What does this verse teach me about the importance of obedience to God's commands, even when they are difficult to understand?
Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 20:13
And when the Lord thy God hath delivered it into thine hands,.... When, what with pressures without, and calamities within, the city is obliged to surrender: this is not to be imputed to the methods
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 20:13
And it shall be, if it make thee answer of peace, and open unto thee, then it shall be, that all the people that is found therein shall be tributaries unto thee, and they shall serve thee. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 20:13
A just punishment of their obstinate refusal of peace offered.
Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 20:13
Deuteronomy 20:13 And when the LORD thy God hath delivered it into thine hands, thou shalt smite every male thereof with the edge of the sword:Ver. 13. Thou shalt smite every male thereof.] Let them pay for their pervicacy. So Caesar answered the Adviatici, that he would have spared their city if they had yielded before he had assaulted. And so the Duke of Alva much blamed Prosper Columnus, for receiving a castle upon condition after he had beaten it with the cannon. Howbeit in the Lord Protector’ s expedition into Scotland in the reign of Edward VI, one castle, when they understood they were not able to hold out, and that their obstinacy had excluded all hope of pardon, they made petition that they might not presently be slain, but have some time to recommend their souls to God, and afterwards be hanged. This respite being first obtained, their pardon did the more easily ensue. Si priusquam aries murum attegisset se dedissent. - Coes. II. Gallic. Connestab VI.
Life of Edward VI., by Sir John Heywood.
Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 20:13
Deuteronomy 20:10-20. SIEGES.(10) When thou comest nigh . . . proclaim peace.—Not as the children of Dan did, who massacred the inhabitants of Laish without warning (Judges 18:27-28). Even in the wars of Joshua, the cities that “stood still in their strength” were generally spared (Joshua 11:13). (15) Thus—i.e., sparing the women and the little ones. (16-18) But of the cities of these people . . . thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth . . . that they teach you not to do after all their abominations.—Upon the inhabitants of these cities the Israelites executed the sentence of Jehovah. Their abominations are sufficiently indicated in Leviticus 18:24-28; Leviticus 20:23. These verses (16-18) are parenthetical; Deuteronomy 20:19 returns to the previous subject. (19) And thou shalt not cut them down (for the tree of the field is man’s life).—Literally, the passage seems rather to mean this, Is the tree of the field a man, that it should escape thee and enter into the siege? It will not run away and fight in the trenches as a man might do. What need is there to cut it down?
This seems to be the view of the Targums, the LXX., and the Jewish commentators, besides modern authorities cited in the Variorum Bible. The destruction of the trees around Jerusalem was a notable feature of the Roman war.
Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 20:13
13. when the Lord thy God delivereth it] As to this D has no doubt. thou shalt smite, etc.] See on Deuteronomy 2:34.
Sermons on Deuteronomy 20:13
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The Significance of Israel's Restoration by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker expresses concern about the injustice of wealthy individuals enriching themselves at the expense of impoverished people. The speaker believes that God w |
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God of the Nations - Part 2 by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding God's rule over his creation throughout redemption history. He refers to biblical events such as the flood an |
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Going Up to Zion by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of the presence of God in the worship of Israel. The people of Israel expected and called for a powerful manifestation of God |
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Kiss the Son by Aaron Dunlop | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of kissing the Son, which symbolizes worship, allegiance, and love towards Jesus Christ. The sermon references the story of a |
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The Guaranteed Harvest by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of not wasting one's life and giving more to the cause of Christ. He urges the audience to prioritize the Great Commission an |
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The Controversy of Zion by T. Austin-Sparks | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the battle between the forces of evil and the church, represented by Zion. The church is called and chosen by God for a specific vocation and |
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Finn-05 the Mystery of Israel & the Church by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the urgency of preaching the word of God and its impact on both time and eternity. He prays for a righteous community that is willing to sacr |