Deuteronomy 20:2
New International Version
When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army.

New Living Translation
When you prepare for battle, the priest must come forward to speak to the troops.

English Standard Version
And when you draw near to the battle, the priest shall come forward and speak to the people

Berean Standard Bible
When you are about to go into battle, the priest is to come forward and address the army,

King James Bible
And it shall be, when ye are come nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people,

New King James Version
So it shall be, when you are on the verge of battle, that the priest shall approach and speak to the people.

New American Standard Bible
When you are approaching the battle, the priest shall come forward and speak to the people.

NASB 1995
“When you are approaching the battle, the priest shall come near and speak to the people.

NASB 1977
“Now it shall come about that when you are approaching the battle, the priest shall come near and speak to the people.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now it will be, when you are drawing near to the battle, the priest shall approach and speak to the people.

Amplified Bible
When you approach the battle, the priest shall come forward and speak to the people,

Christian Standard Bible
When you are about to engage in battle, the priest is to come forward and address the army.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When you are about to engage in battle, the priest is to come forward and address the army.

American Standard Version
And it shall be, when ye draw nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people,

Contemporary English Version
Before you march into battle, a priest will go to the front of the army

English Revised Version
And it shall be, when ye draw nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people,

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Before the battle starts, a priest must come and speak to the troops.

Good News Translation
Before you start fighting, a priest is to come forward and say to the army,

International Standard Version
As you draw near for battle, let the priest approach and speak to the army.

Majority Standard Bible
When you are about to go into battle, the priest is to come forward and address the army,

NET Bible
As you move forward for battle, the priest will approach and say to the soldiers,

New Heart English Bible
It shall be, when you draw near to the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak to the people,

Webster's Bible Translation
And it shall be when ye are come nigh to the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak to the people,

World English Bible
It shall be, when you draw near to the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak to the people,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and it has been, in your drawing near to the battle, that the priest has come near, and spoken to the people,

Young's Literal Translation
and it hath been, in your drawing near unto the battle, that the priest hath come nigh, and spoken unto the people,

Smith's Literal Translation
And it was in your coming near to the war, and the priest approached and spake to the people,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when the battle is now at hand, the priest shall stand before the army, and shall speak to the people in this manner:

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then, as the battle now draws near, the priest shall stand before the front ranks, and he shall speak to the people in this manner:

New American Bible
When you are drawing near to battle, the priest shall come forward and speak to the army,

New Revised Standard Version
Before you engage in battle, the priest shall come forward and speak to the troops,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when you come near to the battle, the priest shall approach and speak to the people,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And whenever you approach to battle, let the Priest approach and he will say to the people:
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And it shall be, when ye draw nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people,

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it shall come to pass whenever thou shalt draw nigh to battle, that the priest shall draw nigh and speak to the people, and shall say to them,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Laws of Warfare
1When you go out to war against your enemies and see horses, chariots, and an army larger than yours, do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you. 2When you are about to go into battle, the priest is to come forward and address the army, 3saying to them, “Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle with your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be alarmed or terrified because of them.…

Cross References
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

2 Chronicles 20:15
And he said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the LORD says: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army, for the battle does not belong to you, but to God.

Numbers 10:9
When you enter into battle in your land against an adversary who attacks you, sound short blasts on the trumpets, and you will be remembered before the LORD your God and saved from your enemies.

1 Samuel 17:47
And all those assembled here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give all of you into our hands.”

Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Exodus 14:13-14
But Moses told the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the LORD’s salvation, which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again. / The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

Judges 7:15-18
When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he bowed in worship. He returned to the camp of Israel and said, “Get up, for the LORD has delivered the camp of Midian into your hand.” / And he divided the three hundred men into three companies and gave each man a ram’s horn in one hand and a large jar in the other, containing a torch. / “Watch me and do as I do,” Gideon said. “When I come to the outskirts of the camp, do exactly as I do. ...

2 Kings 6:16
“Do not be afraid,” Elisha answered, “for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

Psalm 46:1-3
For the choirmaster. Of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. / Therefore we will not fear, though the earth is transformed and the mountains are toppled into the depths of the seas, / though their waters roar and foam and the mountains quake in the surge. Selah

Romans 8:31
What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

Ephesians 6:10-11
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. / Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes.

2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.

Hebrews 13:6
So we say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

Matthew 10:19-20
But when they hand you over, do not worry about how to respond or what to say. In that hour you will be given what to say. / For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.


Treasury of Scripture

And it shall be, when you are come near to the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak to the people,

Numbers 10:8,9
And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow with the trumpets; and they shall be to you for an ordinance for ever throughout your generations…

Numbers 31:6
And Moses sent them to the war, a thousand of every tribe, them and Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, to the war, with the holy instruments, and the trumpets to blow in his hand.

Judges 20:27,28
And the children of Israel inquired of the LORD, (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days, …

Jump to Previous
Address Approach Approaching Army Attacking Battle Draw Drawing Nigh Point Priest Speak
Jump to Next
Address Approach Approaching Army Attacking Battle Draw Drawing Nigh Point Priest Speak
Deuteronomy 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 cities that accept or refuse the proclamation of peace
16. What cities must be devoted
19. Trees must not be destroyed in the siege














When you are about to go into battle
This phrase sets the context for the instructions that follow, indicating a time of impending conflict. The Hebrew root for "battle" is "מִלְחָמָה" (milchamah), which conveys not just physical combat but also spiritual and moral struggles. Historically, Israel's battles were not merely military engagements but were seen as spiritual endeavors where God's presence and favor were crucial. This reflects the broader biblical theme that life itself is a spiritual battle, requiring divine guidance and strength.

the priest
The role of the priest here is significant. In Hebrew, "כֹּהֵן" (kohen) refers to one who serves as a mediator between God and the people. The priest's involvement underscores the theocratic nature of Israel's society, where religious and military aspects were intertwined. The priest's presence symbolizes the need for spiritual readiness and divine blessing before engaging in any conflict, reminding the army that their success depends on God's will.

is to come forward
This action of coming forward signifies leadership and initiative. The Hebrew verb "נָגַשׁ" (nagash) implies approaching with purpose and authority. The priest stepping forward represents God's presence moving into the midst of the people, offering assurance and guidance. It is a call to focus on divine priorities and to seek God's direction before taking action.

and address the army
The Hebrew word for "address" is "דִּבֶּר" (diber), meaning to speak or declare. This is not a mere motivational speech but a prophetic declaration, conveying God's promises and commands. The priest's words are meant to inspire faith and courage, reminding the soldiers of God's past faithfulness and His promises of victory. This highlights the power of God's word to transform fear into faith and to prepare His people for the challenges ahead.

(2) The priest.--There is no mention of the Levite here. The priest is named as a distinct personage. The words which the priest are to pronounce are, as it were, the blessing of Jehovah on the campaign. It follows that Israel could not lawfully go to war except when the blessing of Jehovah might be invoked.

Verse 2. - The priest. Not the high priest or any one of the priests, but the military priest, the priest appointed to accompany the army, "the anointed for the war;" משׁיח המלחמה, as the rabbins designate him (cf. Numbers 21:6; 1 Samuel 4:4; 2 Chronicles 13:12). His business was to exhort the people, and to encourage them by reminding them that the Lord was their Leader, and would help them in the conflict. The formula of his exhortation is given in vers. 3, 4.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When you are about to
וְהָיָ֕ה (wə·hā·yāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

go
כְּקָֽרָבְכֶ֖ם (kə·qā·rā·ḇə·ḵem)
Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 7126: To come near, approach

into
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

battle,
הַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה (ham·mil·ḥā·māh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4421: A battle, war

the priest
הַכֹּהֵ֖ן (hak·kō·hên)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3548: Priest

is to come forward
וְנִגַּ֥שׁ (wə·nig·gaš)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5066: To draw near, approach

and address
וְדִבֶּ֥ר (wə·ḏib·ber)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

the army,
הָעָֽם׃ (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock


Links
Deuteronomy 20:2 NIV
Deuteronomy 20:2 NLT
Deuteronomy 20:2 ESV
Deuteronomy 20:2 NASB
Deuteronomy 20:2 KJV

Deuteronomy 20:2 BibleApps.com
Deuteronomy 20:2 Biblia Paralela
Deuteronomy 20:2 Chinese Bible
Deuteronomy 20:2 French Bible
Deuteronomy 20:2 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Deuteronomy 20:2 It shall be when you draw near (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 20:1
Top of Page
Top of Page