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Deuteronomy 20:9

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Deuteronomy 20:9 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

When the officers have finished addressing the army, they are to appoint commanders to lead it.

King James Version KJV

And it shall be, when the officers have made an end of speaking unto the people, that they shall make captains of the armies to lead the people.

American Standard Version ASV

And it shall be, when the officers have made an end of speaking unto the people, that they shall appoint captains of hosts at the head of the people.

Bible in Basic English BBE

Then, after saying these words to the people, let the overseers put captains over the army.

Free Bible Version FBV

After the officers have finished speaking to the army, they are to put commanders in charge to lead it into battle.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And after that the officers haue made an ende of speaking vnto the people, they shall make captaines of the armie to gouerne the people.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

and it hath come to pass as the authorities finish to speak unto the people, that they have appointed princes of the hosts at the head of the people.

World English Bible WEB

It shall be, when the officers have finished speaking to the people, that they shall appoint captains of armies at the head of the people.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And it shall be, when the officers have made an end of speaking to the people, that they shall make captains of the armies to lead the people.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And when the captains of the army shall hold their peace, and have made an end of speaking, every man shall prepare their bands to fight.

Translation for Translators T4T

And when the officers have finished speaking to the troops, they must appoint commanders to lead the groups of soldiers.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 20:9

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 20:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וְ/הָיָ֛ה כְּ/כַלֹּ֥ת הַ/שֹּׁטְרִ֖ים לְ/דַבֵּ֣ר אֶל הָ/עָ֑ם וּ/פָֽקְד֛וּ שָׂרֵ֥י צְבָא֖וֹת בְּ/רֹ֥אשׁ הָ/עָֽם
וְ/הָיָ֛ה hâyâh H1961 to be Conj | V-Qal-3ms
כְּ/כַלֹּ֥ת kâlâh H3615 to end Prep | V-Piel-Inf-a
הַ/שֹּׁטְרִ֖ים shôṭêr H7860 official Art | V-Qal
לְ/דַבֵּ֣ר dâbar H1696 to speak Prep | V-Piel-Inf-a
אֶל ʼêl H413 to(wards) Prep
הָ/עָ֑ם ʻam H5971 Amaw Art | N-ms
וּ/פָֽקְד֛וּ pâqad H6485 to reckon Conj | V-Qal-3cp
שָׂרֵ֥י sar H8269 ruler N-mp
צְבָא֖וֹת tsâbâʼ H6635 army N-cp
בְּ/רֹ֥אשׁ rôʼsh H7218 head Prep | N-ms
הָ/עָֽם ʻam H5971 Amaw Art | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 20:9

וְ/הָיָ֛ה hâyâh H1961 "to be" Conj | V-Qal-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
כְּ/כַלֹּ֥ת kâlâh H3615 "to end" Prep | V-Piel-Inf-a
This Hebrew word means to finish or end something, like completing a task or using up a resource, as seen in Genesis 2:2 where God finished creating the heavens and earth.
Definition: : finish 1) to accomplish, cease, consume, determine, end, fail, finish, be complete, be accomplished, be ended, be at an end, be finished, be spent 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be complete, be at an end 1a2) to be completed, be finished 1a3) to be accomplished, be fulfilled 1a4) to be determined, be plotted (bad sense) 1a5) to be spent, be used up 1a6) to waste away, be exhausted, fail 1a7) to come to an end, vanish, perish, be destroyed 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to complete, bring to an end, finish 1b2) to complete (a period of time) 1b3) to finish (doing a thing) 1b4) to make an end, end 1b5) to accomplish, fulfil, bring to pass 1b6) to accomplish, determine (in thought) 1b7) to put an end to, cause to cease 1b8) to cause to fail, exhaust, use up, spend 1b9) to destroy, exterminate 1c) (Pual) to be finished, be ended, be completed
Usage: Occurs in 199 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, cease, consume (away), determine, destroy (utterly), be (when... were) done, (be an) end (of), expire, (cause to) fail, faint, finish, fulfil, [idiom] fully, [idiom] have, leave (off), long, bring to pass, wholly reap, make clean riddance, spend, quite take away, waste. See also: Genesis 2:1; 2 Chronicles 29:17; Psalms 18:38.
הַ/שֹּׁטְרִ֖ים shôṭêr H7860 "official" Art | V-Qal
This word refers to a high-ranking official or officer, often translated as 'officer', 'overseer', or 'ruler'. In the Bible, it describes a person with authority and responsibility, such as a scribe or magistrate.
Definition: (Qal) official, officer
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: officer, overseer, ruler. See also: Exodus 5:6; Deuteronomy 31:28; Proverbs 6:7.
לְ/דַבֵּ֣ר dâbar H1696 "to speak" Prep | V-Piel-Inf-a
To speak or communicate, like God speaking to Moses in Exodus or a king commanding his people. It can also mean to promise or warn someone.
Definition: : speak/tell/command 1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing 1a) (Qal) to speak 1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to speak 1c2) to promise 1d) (Pual) to be spoken 1e) (Hithpael) to speak 1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight
Usage: Occurs in 1049 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work. See also: Genesis 8:15; Exodus 12:25; Leviticus 23:9.
אֶל ʼêl H413 "to(wards)" Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
הָ/עָ֑ם ʻam H5971 "Amaw" Art | N-ms
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.
וּ/פָֽקְד֛וּ pâqad H6485 "to reckon" Conj | V-Qal-3cp
This word means to visit or oversee, and can imply a range of actions, from friendly to hostile. It is used in various contexts, including appointing, avenging, or delivering something into someone's care. The KJV translates it in many ways, including appoint, avenge, or commit.
Definition: : list/count 1) to attend to, muster, number, reckon, visit, punish, appoint, look after, care for 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pay attention to, observe 1a2) to attend to 1a3) to seek, look about for 1a4) to seek in vain, need, miss, lack 1a5) to visit 1a6) to visit upon, punish 1a7) to pass in review, muster, number 1a8) to appoint, assign, lay upon as a charge, deposit 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be sought, be needed, be missed, be lacking 1b2) to be visited 1b3) to be visited upon 1b4) to be appointed 1b5) to be watched over 1c) (Piel) to muster, call up 1d) (Pual) to be passed in review, be caused to miss, be called, be called to account 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to set over, make overseer, appoint an overseer 1e2) to commit, entrust, commit for care, deposit 1f) (Hophal) 1f1) to be visited 1f2) to be deposited 1f3) to be made overseer, be entrusted 1g) (Hithpael) numbered 1h) (Hothpael) numbered
Usage: Occurs in 269 OT verses. KJV: appoint, [idiom] at all, avenge, bestow, (appoint to have the, give a) charge, commit, count, deliver to keep, be empty, enjoin, go see, hurt, do judgment, lack, lay up, look, make, [idiom] by any means, miss, number, officer, (make) overseer, have (the) oversight, punish, reckon, (call to) remember(-brance), set (over), sum, [idiom] surely, visit, want. See also: Genesis 21:1; Numbers 26:47; Psalms 8:5.
שָׂרֵ֥י sar H8269 "ruler" N-mp
A leader or person in charge, like a prince or captain, as seen in the Bible with King David and other rulers.
Definition: 1) prince, ruler, leader, chief, chieftain, official, captain 1a) chieftain, leader 1b) vassal, noble, official (under king) 1c) captain, general, commander (military) 1d) chief, head, overseer (of other official classes) 1e) heads, princes (of religious office) 1f) elders (of representative leaders of people) 1g) merchant-princes (of rank and dignity) 1h) patron-angel 1i) Ruler of rulers (of God) 1j) warden
Usage: Occurs in 368 OT verses. KJV: captain (that had rule), chief (captain), general, governor, keeper, lord,(-task-)master, prince(-ipal), ruler, steward. See also: Genesis 12:15; 1 Kings 22:32; 2 Chronicles 32:21.
צְבָא֖וֹת tsâbâʼ H6635 "army" N-cp
This Hebrew word means a large group of people or things, often referring to an army or a campaign, and is also used to describe the Lord's hosts. It appears in the Bible as a name for God, emphasizing His power and authority. In the KJV, it's translated as 'host' or 'army'.
Definition: : army 1) that which goes forth, army, war, warfare, host 1a) army, host 1a1) host (of organised army) 1a2) host (of angels) 1a3) of sun, moon, and stars 1a4) of whole creation 1b) war, warfare, service, go out to war 1c) service
Usage: Occurs in 463 OT verses. KJV: appointed time, ([phrase]) army, ([phrase]) battle, company, host, service, soldiers, waiting upon, war(-fare). See also: Genesis 2:1; 1 Samuel 17:55; Psalms 24:10.
בְּ/רֹ֥אשׁ rôʼsh H7218 "head" Prep | N-ms
This Hebrew word means chief or prince, and is used to describe leaders in the Bible, such as in the book of 1 Samuel. It signifies a position of authority and importance.
Definition: : head 1) head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning 1a) head (of man, animals) 1b) top, tip (of mountain) 1c) height (of stars) 1d) chief, head (of man, city, nation, place, family, priest) 1e) head, front, beginning 1f) chief, choicest, best 1g) head, division, company, band 1h) sum
Usage: Occurs in 547 OT verses. KJV: band, beginning, captain, chapiter, chief(-est place, man, things), company, end, [idiom] every (man), excellent, first, forefront, (be-)head, height, (on) high(-est part, (priest)), [idiom] lead, [idiom] poor, principal, ruler, sum, top. See also: Genesis 2:10; Numbers 17:18; 2 Samuel 4:7.
הָ/עָֽם ʻam H5971 "Amaw" Art | N-ms
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.

Study Notes — Deuteronomy 20:9

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Deuteronomy 20:9 Summary

Deuteronomy 20:9 is talking about how the officers in the army should appoint leaders to guide the soldiers after they have finished giving their instructions. This is like how we need leaders in our lives to guide us and help us make good decisions, as seen in Proverbs 11:14 and Matthew 9:37-38. Just like the army needs commanders to lead them into battle, we need spiritual leaders to help us navigate life's challenges, as mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 and Hebrews 13:7. By applying the principles of this verse, we can learn to trust in God's plan and provision for our lives, as encouraged in Jeremiah 29:11 and Romans 8:28.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the role of the officers in Deuteronomy 20:9?

The officers in Deuteronomy 20:9 are responsible for addressing the army and appointing commanders to lead it, as seen in the context of Deuteronomy 20:8 where they speak to the army about those who are afraid or fainthearted, similar to the leadership roles described in Exodus 18:21-22.

Why is it important to appoint commanders after addressing the army?

Appointing commanders after addressing the army, as stated in Deuteronomy 20:9, ensures that the army is well-organized and prepared for battle, with leaders who can provide guidance and direction, much like the importance of leadership emphasized in Proverbs 24:6.

How does this verse relate to the concept of spiritual leadership?

This verse highlights the importance of spiritual leadership, as seen in the appointment of commanders, which can be applied to the church, where leaders are appointed to guide and direct the congregation, as described in 1 Corinthians 12:28 and Ephesians 4:11-12.

What can we learn from the military strategy in Deuteronomy 20:9?

The military strategy in Deuteronomy 20:9 teaches us about the importance of planning, organization, and leadership, which can be applied to our spiritual lives, as we prepare for spiritual battles, as mentioned in Ephesians 6:10-18 and 2 Timothy 2:3-4.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some areas in my life where I need to appoint 'commanders' to lead and guide me, and how can I apply the principles of Deuteronomy 20:9 to those areas?
  2. How can I, like the officers in Deuteronomy 20:9, address the 'army' of my own heart and mind, and appoint spiritual leaders to guide me in my walk with God, as encouraged in Psalm 119:105 and Matthew 4:4?
  3. What are some spiritual battles that I am facing, and how can I prepare for them by appointing spiritual commanders, such as prayer, scripture reading, and fellowship, as mentioned in Hebrews 10:24-25 and 1 Peter 5:8-9?
  4. How can I, as a leader or future leader, apply the principles of Deuteronomy 20:9 to my own leadership role, and what qualities should I look for in those I appoint to lead, as described in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9?
  5. What does this verse teach me about the importance of structure and organization in my spiritual life, and how can I apply that to my daily walk with God, as seen in Psalm 119:133 and Colossians 2:5?

Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 20:9

And it shall be, when the officers have made an end of speaking unto the people,.... By reciting what the anointed of war said unto them, and by speeches of their own framing, to encourage to the

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 20:9

And it shall be, when the officers have made an end of speaking unto the people, that they shall make captains of the armies to lead the people.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 20:9

Or rather, as the Hebrew hath it, they shall set or place the captains of the armies in the head or front of the people under their charge, that they may conduct and manage them, and by their example encourage their soldiers. But it is not likely they had their captains to make or choose when they were just going to battle.

Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 20:9

(9) Captains of the armies—i.e., special leaders for the campaigns, whose command would probably cease when it was over. We may suppose from mention of the “thousands” in the army—“the captain of their thousand” (1 Samuel 17:18)—that the military divisions corresponded with the civil organization of the people so far as this, that the men of the same “thousand,” according to Jethro’s arrangement, would be brigaded together, and have one captain. If, as is also possible, the word “thousand” in military language signifies the contingent furnished by a “thousand” in Israel, irrespective of its number, it would remove many difficulties; for the whole thousand would very rarely be in the field together, and the contingent sent by a given “thousand” might consist of a very few men. If, therefore, the contingent of sixty “thousands” were to be described as 60,000, and the sixty companies were all cut up or annihilated, it might be reported as a slaughter of 60,000 men, while the lives actually lost would be nothing like so many.

Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 20:9

9. they shall appoint] They, not necessarily the officers of the previous clause, but indefinite: those whose duty it is to appoint, or the people as a whole. Cp. 1Ma 3:55 f. captains of hosts] The chiefs of the main divisions, cp. 1 Kings 2:5. These are not appointed till the host has been sifted of all whom it was not proper to allow to accompany it, because the exemptions apply to all ranks. With these rules for sifting the host, cp. Cromwell’s measures with the recruits for his Ironsides.

Barnes' Notes on Deuteronomy 20:9

The meaning is that the “officers” should then subdivide the levies, and appoint leaders of the smaller divisions thus constituted.

Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 20:9

9. Captains of the armies to lead the people — The shoterim, or officers, after the elimination of the above-ordered army, are to appoint captains to lead the force that is now ready for the contest.
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