When you draw near to a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace to it.
Parallel translations
- KJV When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it.
- BSB When you approach a city to fight against it, you are to make an offer of peace.
- NKJV “When you go near a city to fight against it, then proclaim an offer of peace to it.
- NASB “When you approach a city to fight against it, you shall offer it terms of peace.
- NLT “As you approach a town to attack it, you must first offer its people terms for peace.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
When approaching a distant city for war, Israel must first offer terms of peace. Even in warfare, God's people were to seek peace before conflict.
Overview
Before besieging a faraway city, Israel was to extend an offer of peace. This restrained needless bloodshed and reflected a measure of mercy in conduct of war. The priority of seeking peace points to God's own character and anticipates the gospel of peace He extends to a rebellious world through Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 7
- Luke 10:5–6Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house.’
- Eph 2:17He came and preached peace to you who were far off and to those who were near.
- 2 Cor 5:18But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation;
- Isa 57:19I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace, to him who is far off and to him who is near,” says Yahweh; “and I will heal them.”
- 2 Sam 20:18–22Then she spoke, saying, “They used to say in old times, ‘They shall surely ask counsel at Abel;’ and so they settled a matter.
- Zech 9:10I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow will be cut off; and he will speak peace to the nations: and his dominion will be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.
- Acts 10:36The word which he sent to the children of Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ — he is Lord of all —
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Commentaries & study tools
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Moses promised a Prophet like himself to whom Israel must listen (18:15); Jesus is that Prophet, the one who keeps the covenant we broke and becomes the curse for us by hanging on a tree (Gal 3:13).
How Deuteronomy 20:10 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.