1
כִּֽי תֵצֵ֨א לַמִּלְחָמָ֜ה עַל אֹיְבֶ֗יךָ וְֽרָאִ֜יתָ ס֤וּס וָרֶ֨כֶב֙ עַ֚ם רַ֣ב מִמְּךָ֔ לֹ֥א תִירָ֖א מֵהֶ֑ם כִּֽי יְהוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙ עִמָּ֔ךְ הַמַּֽעַלְךָ֖ מֵאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם
When you go out to war against your enemies and see horse and chariot, a people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them, for YHWH your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt, is with you.
A casus pendens temporal protasis (כִּי תֵצֵא...) runs through the participial description of the enemy host to the apodosis-prohibition לֹא תִירָא; the causal כִּי clause that follows grounds the command in YHWH's proven, Exodus-attested presence rather than in Israel's own numerical or military parity.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
כִּֽיwhenconj · כִּי (H3588)Introductory conjunction (temporal protasis, casus pendens)כִּי (H3588), multivalent conjunction — temporal 'when', causal 'for', or asseverative 'indeed'; here opens the temporal protasis governing the law of vv. 1–4.
תֵצֵ֨אyou go outQal impf 2ms · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb of the protasis→ Yiqtol: imperfective — the recurring/future occasion envisioned by the lawיָצָא (H3318) 'go out'; idiomatic with לַמִּלְחָמָה for going out to war.
לַמִּלְחָמָ֜הto the warprep לְ + art + N f sg abs · מִלְחָמָה (H4421)Adverbial (goal) prepositional phraseמִלְחָמָה (H4421) 'war, battle', from √לחם 'to fight'; article generic, 'to war' as such.
עַלagainstprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase of hostile oppositionעַל (H5921) 'upon, against'; marks the enemy as object of hostility.
אֹיְבֶ֗יךָyour enemiesQal ptc m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֹיֵב (H341)Object of the preposition עַל (substantival participle)→ Participle: substantival — a standing characteristic ('one hostile to you') functioning as a nounאֹיֵב (H341), Qal participle of איב 'be hostile'; lexicalized as 'enemy, foe.'
וְֽרָאִ֜יתָand you seeconj וְ + Qal perf consec 2ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb, weqatal continuing the protasis→ Weqatal: sequential — carries forward the temporal clause begun by תֵצֵארָאָה (H7200) 'see'; here of confronting the enemy's force visually/tactically.
ס֤וּסhorseN m sg abs · סוּס (H5483)Direct object of רָאִיתָסוּס (H5483) 'horse'; in Deuteronomy's ideology (17:16) horses evoke Egypt and reliance on military hardware rather than YHWH.
וָרֶ֨כֶב֙and chariotconj וְ + N m sg abs · רֶכֶב (H7393)Direct object of רָאִיתָ, conjoinedרֶכֶב (H7393) 'chariotry'; paired formulaically with סוּס as the era's dominant weapon system.
עַ֚םa peopleN m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Direct object, in apposition to the preceding pairעַם (H5971) 'people, troop'; here the enemy host viewed collectively.
רַ֣בmore numerousAdj m sg abs · רַב (H7227)Attributive adjective modifying עַםרַב (H7227) 'many, numerous'; predicates the very numerical superiority the verse forbids fearing.
מִמְּךָ֔than youprep מִן + 2ms suffix · מִן (H4480)Comparative prepositional phraseמִן (H4480) here comparative, 'more than.'
לֹ֥אnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates תִירָא (prohibition)לֹא (H3808), the plain negative; with yiqtol forms a standard prohibition, 'you shall not fear.'
תִירָ֖אyou shall fearQal impf 2ms · יָרֵא (H3372)Predicate verb (main clause, prohibition)→ Yiqtol (negated): durative prohibition — do not be afraid of themיָרֵא (H3372) 'to fear'; the chapter's opening command, echoed and expanded in vv. 3–4.
מֵהֶ֑םof themprep מִן + 3mp suffix · מִן (H4480)Object of the verb of fearingמִן (H4480) here marking the object of fear, 'because of/from them.'
כִּֽיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the grounds for not fearingכִּי (H3588) causal here, giving the theological reason for the prohibition: YHWH's presence.
יְהוָ֤הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of the nominal clauseיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; grounds the chapter's confidence in battle.
אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙your GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; plural of majesty, singular referent — the covenant relation grounds courage.
עִמָּ֔ךְis with youprep עִם + 2ms suffix · עִם (H5973)Predicate of the nominal clause (YHWH's presence)עִם (H5973) 'with'; the speech's theological center — divine accompaniment, not weaponry, is Israel's advantage.
הַמַּֽעַלְךָ֖who brought you upart + Hiphil ptc m sg constr + 2ms suffix · עָלָה (H5927)Apposition to יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ (substantival participle, relative-like)→ Participle: substantival — identifies YHWH by his defining past act, the exodusעָלָה (H5927) Hiphil 'bring up'; the articular participle functions as a relative clause, recalling the Exodus as the paradigm of YHWH's saving power in war.
מֵאֶ֥רֶץfrom the land ofprep מִן + N c sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Adverbial (source) prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; construct with מִצְרַיִם, 'the land of Egypt.'
מִצְרָֽיִםEgyptproper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive complement of אֶרֶץ (construct chain)מִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt'; the Exodus reference anchors the speech's confidence in YHWH's proven record.
2
וְהָיָ֕ה כְּקָֽרָבְכֶ֖ם אֶל הַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה וְנִגַּ֥שׁ הַכֹּהֵ֖ן וְדִבֶּ֥ר אֶל הָעָֽם
And it shall be, when you draw near to the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak to the people.
Three sequential weqatal verbs (וְהָיָה, וְנִגַּשׁ, וְדִבֶּר) describe the priest's ritual approach and address, staging the direct speech quoted in vv.3-4.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וְהָיָ֕הand it will beconj וְ + Qal perf consec 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb, weqatal opening the apodosis of vv.2-4→ Weqatal: sequential/future — 'and it shall come about'הָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; formulaic weqatal opening a new stage of instruction.
כְּקָֽרָבְכֶ֖םas you draw nearprep כְּ + Qal inf constr + 2mp suffix · קָרַב (H7126)Temporal prepositional phrase (infinitive clause)→ Infinitive construct: verbal noun expressing simultaneity — 'as/when you draw near'קָרַב (H7126) 'draw near, approach'; here of approaching for battle.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase, goalאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; directional preposition.
הַמִּלְחָמָ֑הthe battleart + N f sg abs · מִלְחָמָה (H4421)Object of preposition אֶלמִלְחָמָה (H4421) 'war, battle'; articular, referring back to the campaign of v.1.
וְנִגַּ֥שׁand shall approachconj וְ + Niphal perf consec 3ms · נָגַשׁ (H5066)Predicate verb, weqatal continuing the apodosis→ Weqatal: sequential — the priest's approach follows arrival at battleנָגַשׁ (H5066) Niphal 'draw near, approach'; the priest's ritual approach to address the troops.
הַכֹּהֵ֖ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְנִגַּשׁ and וְדִבֶּרכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; the war-priest addressing the army, distinct from the officers (שֹׁטְרִים) of vv.5,8-9.
וְדִבֶּ֥רand shall speakconj וְ + Piel perf consec 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb, weqatal continuing the apodosis→ Weqatal: sequential — the priest's speech follows his approachדִּבֶּר (H1696) Piel 'speak'; introduces the priest's direct battle-speech in vv.3-4.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase, addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to'; marks the people as addressee.
הָעָֽםthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Object of preposition אֶל (addressee)עַם (H5971) 'people'; here Israel's mustered army, addressee of the priest's speech.
3
וְאָמַ֤ר אֲלֵהֶם֙ שְׁמַ֣ע יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אַתֶּ֨ם קְרֵבִ֥ים הַיּ֛וֹם לַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה עַל אֹיְבֵיכֶ֑ם אַל יֵרַ֣ךְ לְבַבְכֶ֗ם אַל תִּֽירְא֧וּ וְאַֽל תַּחְפְּז֛וּ וְאַל תַּֽעַרְצ֖וּ מִפְּנֵיהֶֽם
And he shall say to them: 'Hear, O Israel: you are approaching today for battle against your enemies. Do not let your heart grow faint; do not fear, do not panic, and do not tremble before them.'
The speech opens with the Shema-echoing summons שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל and moves through four rhythmically parallel vetitives (אַל + jussive: יֵרַךְ, תִּירְאוּ, תַּחְפְּזוּ, תַּעַרְצוּ) — heart, fear, panic, trembling — each intensifying the last, before the causal grounds given in v.4.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וְאָמַ֤רand he shall sayconj וְ + Qal perf consec 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb, weqatal continuing v.2's chain→ Weqatal: sequential — introduces direct speechאָמַר (H559) 'say'; introduces the priest's quoted battle-speech.
אֲלֵהֶם֙to themprep אֶל + 3mp suffix · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase, addressee of וְאָמַראֶל (H413) 'to'; the priest speaks 'to them', the assembled troops.
שְׁמַ֣עhear!Qal impv 2ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (direct address, imperative)→ Volitional: imperative — a summons to attention, echoing the Shema idiomשָׁמַע (H8085) 'hear, listen'; שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל echoes the covenantal call of 6:4, repurposed as a battle-summons.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Vocative, addressee of שְׁמַעיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), the nation addressed collectively as the army mustered for war.
אַתֶּ֨םyoupersonal pron 2mp · אַתֶּם (H859)Subject of the nominal clause קְרֵבִים...לַמִּלְחָמָהאַתֶּם (H859), independent 2mp pronoun; emphatic subject, 'you (yourselves).'
קְרֵבִ֥יםapproachingAdj m pl abs · קָרֵב (H7131)Predicate adjective of the nominal clauseקָרֵב (H7131) 'near, approaching'; predicate adjective, 'you are drawing near.'
הַיּ֛וֹםtodayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of timeיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; articular idiom הַיּוֹם 'today, this day' stressing the imminence of the engagement.
לַמִּלְחָמָ֖הfor battleprep לְ + art + N f sg abs · מִלְחָמָה (H4421)Adverbial (purpose) prepositional phraseמִלְחָמָה (H4421) 'war, battle'; repeats the chapter's key term.
עַלagainstprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase of hostile oppositionעַל (H5921) 'against.'
אֹיְבֵיכֶ֑םyour enemiesQal ptc m pl constr + 2mp suffix · אֹיֵב (H341)Object of preposition עַל (substantival participle)→ Participle: substantival — 'those hostile to you'אֹיֵב (H341), Qal participle of איב 'be hostile'; lexicalized as 'enemy.'
אַלdo notvetitive neg particle · אַל (H408)Negates the jussive יֵרַךְ (vetitive)אַל (H408), the vetitive negative used with jussive/short forms — a direct, immediate prohibition (contrast לֹא + yiqtol).
יֵרַ֣ךְlet it be softQal jussive 3ms · רָכַךְ (H7401)Predicate verb (vetitive, main clause)→ Jussive (negated): vetitive — an urgent command against a state, 'let your heart not grow faint'רָכַךְ (H7401) 'be tender, soft, faint'; of the heart losing courage — first of the speech's four parallel vetitives.
לְבַבְכֶ֗םyour heartN m sg constr + 2mp suffix · לֵבָב (H3824)Subject of יֵרַךְלֵבָב (H3824) 'heart, mind'; seat of courage/resolve — the key term of רַךְ לֵבָב 'faint-hearted', taken up again in v.8.
אַלdo notvetitive neg particle · אַל (H408)Negates the jussive תִּירְאוּאַל (H408); vetitive negative, second of the four prohibitions.
תִּֽירְא֧וּfearQal jussive 2mp · יָרֵא (H3372)Predicate verb (vetitive)→ Jussive (negated): vetitive — 'do not fear'יָרֵא (H3372) 'fear'; repeats v.1's command, now addressed directly to the troops.
וְאַֽלand do notconj וְ + vetitive neg particle · אַל (H408)Negates the jussive תַּחְפְּזוּאַל (H408) with conjunctive וְ, continuing the chain of vetitives.
תַּחְפְּז֛וּpanicQal jussive 2mp · חָפַז (H2648)Predicate verb (vetitive)→ Jussive (negated): vetitive — 'do not be in dread/panic'חָפַז (H2648) 'be alarmed, hurry in panic'; third prohibition, intensifying beyond mere fear.
וְאַלand do notconj וְ + vetitive neg particle · אַל (H408)Negates the jussive תַּעַרְצוּאַל (H408) with conjunctive וְ, introducing the final vetitive.
תַּֽעַרְצ֖וּtrembleQal jussive 2mp · עָרַץ (H6206)Predicate verb (vetitive)→ Jussive (negated): vetitive — 'do not be terrified/tremble'עָרַץ (H6206) 'tremble, be in dread'; fourth and climactic prohibition, near-synonym intensifying the series.
מִפְּנֵיהֶֽםbefore themprep מִן + N c pl constr + 3mp suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial prepositional phrase, object of dreadפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; idiom מִפְּנֵי 'from before, because of' — object of the four-fold prohibition against fear.
4
כִּ֚י יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם הַהֹלֵ֖ךְ עִמָּכֶ֑ם לְהִלָּחֵ֥ם לָכֶ֛ם עִם אֹיְבֵיכֶ֖ם לְהוֹשִׁ֥יעַ אֶתְכֶֽם
For YHWH your God is the one who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.
The theological climax of the priest's speech: two purpose infinitives (לְהִלָּחֵם, לְהוֹשִׁיעַ) unpack exactly what YHWH's 'going with' Israel means — he himself fights and saves, which is why the fourfold fear-vocabulary of v.3 is misplaced.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
כִּ֚יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction, grounds for the prohibitions of v.3כִּי (H3588) causal, introducing the theological rationale that closes the speech.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of the nominal clauseיְהוָה (H3068); repeats the ground of confidence already given in v.1.
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔םyour GodN m pl constr + 2mp suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430); plural of majesty, now addressed to the whole people (2mp).
הַהֹלֵ֖ךְthe one who goesart + Qal ptc m sg abs · הָלַךְ (H1980)Apposition to יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם (substantival participle)→ Participle: substantival — describes YHWH's ongoing, present accompanimentהָלַךְ (H1980) 'walk, go'; the articular participle pictures YHWH as present, mobile companion in the campaign, not a static object of trust.
עִמָּכֶ֑םwith youprep עִם + 2mp suffix · עִם (H5973)Adverbial complement of הַהֹלֵךְעִם (H5973) 'with'; reiterates the presence-theology of v.1, now plural.
לְהִלָּחֵ֥םto fightprep לְ + Niphal inf constr · לָחַם (H3898)Adverbial (purpose) infinitive clause→ Infinitive construct: purpose — 'in order to fight'לָחַם (H3898) Niphal 'fight, wage war' (stem inherently reciprocal); YHWH's purpose in accompanying Israel.
לָכֶ֛םfor youprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְAdverbial (benefactive) complement of לְהִלָּחֵםלְ dative of advantage, 'on your behalf' — YHWH fights not merely alongside but FOR Israel.
עִםagainstprep · עִם (H5973)Prepositional phrase marking the opposing partyעִם (H5973) here in adversative use, 'against' (lit. 'with', of confrontation), governing אֹיְבֵיכֶם.
אֹיְבֵיכֶ֖םyour enemiesQal ptc m pl constr + 2mp suffix · אֹיֵב (H341)Object of preposition עִם→ Participle: substantival — 'those hostile to you'אֹיֵב (H341); see v.1, v.3.
לְהוֹשִׁ֥יעַto saveprep לְ + Hiphil inf constr · יָשַׁע (H3467)Adverbial (purpose) infinitive clause, second purpose of YHWH's accompaniment→ Infinitive construct: purpose — 'in order to save'יָשַׁע (H3467) Hiphil 'save, deliver'; the ultimate goal of YHWH's presence in battle — victory belongs to him, not Israel's arms.
אֶתְכֶֽם[obj] youobj marker + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker + object of לְהוֹשִׁיעַאֵת (H853), object marker with pronominal suffix standing for the direct object 'you'; untranslated apart from its pronoun.
5
וְדִבְּר֣וּ הַשֹּֽׁטְרִים֮ אֶל הָעָ֣ם לֵאמֹר֒ מִֽי הָאִ֞ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֨ר בָּנָ֤ה בַֽיִת חָדָשׁ֙ וְלֹ֣א חֲנָכ֔וֹ יֵלֵ֖ךְ וְיָשֹׁ֣ב לְבֵית֑וֹ פֶּן יָמוּת֙ בַּמִּלְחָמָ֔ה וְאִ֥ישׁ אַחֵ֖ר יַחְנְכֶֽנּוּ
And the officers shall speak to the people, saying: 'Who is the man who has built a new house and has not dedicated it? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man dedicate it.'
Opens the officers' catalogue (vv.5-9) with a rhetorical מִי-question format repeated with variation through v.8; each exemption pairs an uncompleted life-stage (here: an undedicated new house) with the same rationale — that death in battle would let 'another man' claim what belongs to the exempted soldier.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וְדִבְּר֣וּand shall speakconj וְ + Piel perf consec 3cp · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb, weqatal opening the officers' address→ Weqatal: sequential — a new stage of instructionדִּבֶּר (H1696) Piel 'speak'; the officers (not the priest) now address the people with the exemption catalogue.
הַשֹּֽׁטְרִים֮the officersart + Qal ptc m pl abs (substantival) · שָׁטַר (H7860)Subject of וְדִבְּרוּ→ Participle: substantival — a functionary title, 'those who write/register'שָׁטַר (H7860) Qal ptc, lit. 'one who writes/registers'; lexicalized 'officer, official' — administrative officers distinct from the כֹּהֵן of v.2, responsible for military registration and exemption.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase, addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to.'
הָעָ֣םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Object of preposition אֶלעַם (H5971); the mustered troops, addressee of the officers' catalogue.
לֵאמֹר֒sayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Adverbial infinitive introducing direct quotation→ Infinitive construct: quotative — standard formula introducing reported speechאָמַר (H559); the infinitive לֵאמֹר is Hebrew's standard quotation marker, 'saying.'
מִֽיwhointerrog particle · מִי (H4310)Interrogative, introduces the rhetorical/legal questionמִי (H4310) 'who?'; opens a rhetorical formula ('who is the man who...') used repeatedly (vv.5-8) to enumerate exemption categories.
הָאִ֞ישׁthe manart + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Predicate nominative / subject complement of מִיאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; generic term for the individual soldier addressed by each exemption clause.
אֲשֶׁ֨רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Introduces relative clause modifying הָאִישׁאֲשֶׁר (H834), the all-purpose relative particle, uninflected for gender/number/case.
בָּנָ֤הhas builtQal perf 3ms · בָּנָה (H1129)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed act — the house-building already accomplishedבָּנָה (H1129) 'build'; the first of the four life-stage scenarios (house, vineyard, betrothal, fear).
בַֽיִתa houseN m sg abs · בַּיִת (H1004)Direct object of בָּנָהבַּיִת (H1004) 'house'; an ordinary dwelling, its completion and 'dedication' marking a household's establishment.
חָדָשׁ֙newAdj m sg abs · חָדָשׁ (H2319)Attributive adjective modifying בַיִתחָדָשׁ (H2319) 'new'; specifies the house as newly built, not yet lived-in/dedicated.
וְלֹ֣אand has notconj וְ + neg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates חֲנָכוֹלֹא (H3808) with conjunctive וְ, negating the second verb of the relative clause.
חֲנָכ֔וֹdedicated itQal perf 3ms + 3ms suffix · חָנַךְ (H2596)Predicate verb of the relative clause (negated, coordinate with בָּנָה)→ Perfective (negated): the completed act of dedication has NOT occurredחָנַךְ (H2596) 'dedicate, inaugurate'; a formal rite marking a new house's first occupation (root gives חֲנֻכָּה 'dedication'). The exemption protects the man from dying before ever formally taking possession of his own home.
יֵלֵ֖ךְlet him goQal impf 3ms (jussive force) · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb, main clause (permissive/jussive)→ Yiqtol (jussive nuance): permissive command — 'let him go'הָלַךְ (H3212) 'go'; the officers' ruling releasing the man from active service.
וְיָשֹׁ֣בand let him returnconj וְ + Qal impf 3ms · שׁוּב (H7725)Predicate verb, coordinate with יֵלֵךְ→ Yiqtol (jussive nuance): permissive — 'and let him return'שׁוּב (H7725) 'return, turn back'; paired formulaically with הָלַךְ, repeated in vv.6,7,8.
לְבֵית֑וֹto his houseprep לְ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffix · בַּיִת (H1004)Adverbial (goal) prepositional phraseבַּיִת (H1004) 'house'; the very house just built, now the object of his release.
פֶּןlestconj · פֶּן (H6435)Introduces a negative purpose/result clause (rationale for the exemption)פֶּן (H6435) 'lest'; introduces the recurring rationale clause attached to each exemption (vv.5,6,7).
יָמוּת֙he dieQal impf 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb of the פֶּן-clause→ Yiqtol: potential/feared future — the risk the exemption forestallsמוּת (H4191) 'die'; the feared outcome the exemption is designed to avoid.
בַּמִּלְחָמָ֔הin the battleprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · מִלְחָמָה (H4421)Adverbial (locative) prepositional phraseמִלְחָמָה (H4421); the battle in which the risk of death is realized.
וְאִ֥ישׁand manconj וְ + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of יַחְנְכֶנּוּ (coordinate clause)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; introduces the pathos of the rationale — someone else reaping what this man began.
אַחֵ֖רanotherAdj m sg abs · אַחֵר (H312)Attributive adjective modifying אִישׁאַחֵר (H312) 'other, another'; the poignancy of the law — a stranger inheriting the dead man's unfinished life.
יַחְנְכֶֽנּוּwill dedicate itQal impf 3ms + 3ms suffix · חָנַךְ (H2596)Predicate verb of the coordinate clause→ Yiqtol: potential future — the feared alternative outcomeחָנַךְ (H2596); see חֲנָכוֹ above. The law's underlying value: a man deserves to complete what he begins, not have it appropriated by another because war cut his life short.
6
וּמִֽי הָאִ֞ישׁ אֲשֶׁר נָטַ֥ע כֶּ֨רֶם֙ וְלֹ֣א חִלְּל֔וֹ יֵלֵ֖ךְ וְיָשֹׁ֣ב לְבֵית֑וֹ פֶּן יָמוּת֙ בַּמִּלְחָמָ֔ה וְאִ֥ישׁ אַחֵ֖ר יְחַלְּלֶֽנּוּ
And who is the man who has planted a vineyard and has not put it to use? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man put it to use.
Repeats v.5's formula, substituting vineyard-planting/first-use (נטע...חלל) for house-building/dedication (בנה...חנך); with 28:30, house and vineyard form standard covenant-curse imagery for a life interrupted before its fruits are enjoyed.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וּמִֽיand whoconj וְ + interrog particle · מִי (H4310)Interrogative, introduces second exemption questionמִי (H4310) with conjunctive וּ, continuing the officers' catalogue formula from v.5.
הָאִ֞ישׁthe manart + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Predicate nominative / subject complement of מִיאִישׁ (H376); see v.5.
אֲשֶׁרwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Introduces relative clause modifying הָאִישׁאֲשֶׁר (H834); see v.5.
נָטַ֥עhas plantedQal perf 3ms · נָטַע (H5193)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed act — the vineyard-planting already accomplishedנָטַע (H5193) 'plant'; second life-stage scenario, echoing 28:30 which pairs house/wife/vineyard as goods war can steal.
כֶּ֨רֶם֙a vineyardN c sg abs · כֶּרֶם (H3754)Direct object of נָטַעכֶּרֶם (H3754) 'vineyard'; a multi-year investment (Lev 19:23-25 forbids eating its fruit before the fifth year) — its first legitimate harvest is the 'profaning' at stake in חִלְּלוֹ.
וְלֹ֣אand has notconj וְ + neg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates חִלְּלוֹלֹא (H3808); see v.5.
חִלְּל֔וֹput it to usePiel perf 3ms + 3ms suffix · חָלַל (H2490)Predicate verb of the relative clause (negated, coordinate with נָטַע)→ Perfective (negated): the act of 'profaning' (first legitimate use) has NOT occurredחָלַל (H2490) Piel 'profane, put to ordinary/common use'; technical for first harvesting a vineyard's fruit once its consecration-period (Lev 19) has passed — 'release from sanctity to common use', not moral profanation; paronomastically resonant with חָנַךְ in v.5.
יֵלֵ֖ךְlet him goQal impf 3ms (jussive force) · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb, main clause (permissive/jussive)→ Yiqtol (jussive nuance): permissive command — 'let him go'הָלַךְ (H3212); see v.5.
וְיָשֹׁ֣בand let him returnconj וְ + Qal impf 3ms · שׁוּב (H7725)Predicate verb, coordinate with יֵלֵךְ→ Yiqtol (jussive nuance): permissive — 'and let him return'שׁוּב (H7725); see v.5.
לְבֵית֑וֹto his houseprep לְ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffix · בַּיִת (H1004)Adverbial (goal) prepositional phraseבַּיִת (H1004); see v.5.
פֶּןlestconj · פֶּן (H6435)Introduces negative purpose clause (rationale for the exemption)פֶּן (H6435); see v.5.
יָמוּת֙he dieQal impf 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb of the פֶּן-clause→ Yiqtol: potential/feared future — the risk the exemption forestallsמוּת (H4191); see v.5.
בַּמִּלְחָמָ֔הin the battleprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · מִלְחָמָה (H4421)Adverbial (locative) prepositional phraseמִלְחָמָה (H4421); see v.5.
וְאִ֥ישׁand manconj וְ + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of יְחַלְּלֶנּוּ (coordinate clause)אִישׁ (H376); see v.5.
אַחֵ֖רanotherAdj m sg abs · אַחֵר (H312)Attributive adjective modifying אִישׁאַחֵר (H312); see v.5.
יְחַלְּלֶֽנּוּwill put it to usePiel impf 3ms + 3ms suffix · חָלַל (H2490)Predicate verb of the coordinate clause→ Yiqtol: potential future — the feared alternative outcomeחָלַל (H2490); see חִלְּלוֹ above — another man reaping the vineyard's first harvest instead of its planter.
7
וּמִֽי הָאִ֞ישׁ אֲשֶׁר אֵרַ֤שׂ אִשָּׁה֙ וְלֹ֣א לְקָחָ֔הּ יֵלֵ֖ךְ וְיָשֹׁ֣ב לְבֵית֑וֹ פֶּן יָמוּת֙ בַּמִּלְחָמָ֔ה וְאִ֥ישׁ אַחֵ֖ר יִקָּחֶֽנָּה
And who is the man who has betrothed a woman and has not taken her? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man take her.
Completes the triad of house/vineyard/betrothal begun in vv.5-6, each protecting an uncompleted life-investment; 24:5 similarly exempts the newly married for a full year, 'that he may rejoice with his wife.'
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וּמִֽיand whoconj וְ + interrog particle · מִי (H4310)Interrogative, introduces third exemption questionמִי (H4310); see v.6.
הָאִ֞ישׁthe manart + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Predicate nominative / subject complement of מִיאִישׁ (H376); see v.5.
אֲשֶׁרwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Introduces relative clause modifying הָאִישׁאֲשֶׁר (H834); see v.5.
אֵרַ֤שׂhas betrothedPiel perf 3ms · אָרַשׂ (H781)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed act — the betrothal already contractedאָרַשׂ (H781) Piel 'betroth, engage'; third life-stage scenario — a binding pre-marital contract (cf. 22:23-27) not yet consummated.
אִשָּׁה֙a womanN f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Direct object of אֵרַשׂאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; here the betrothed woman, legally bound though not yet married.
וְלֹ֣אand has notconj וְ + neg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates לְקָחָהּלֹא (H3808); see v.5.
לְקָחָ֔הּtaken herQal perf 3ms + 3fs suffix · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb of the relative clause (negated, coordinate with אֵרַשׂ)→ Perfective (negated): the act of 'taking' (consummating the marriage) has NOT occurredלָקַח (H3947) 'take'; idiomatic for completing marriage by taking the bride into the husband's household (cf. 24:1).
יֵלֵ֖ךְlet him goQal impf 3ms (jussive force) · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb, main clause (permissive/jussive)→ Yiqtol (jussive nuance): permissive command — 'let him go'הָלַךְ (H3212); see v.5.
וְיָשֹׁ֣בand let him returnconj וְ + Qal impf 3ms · שׁוּב (H7725)Predicate verb, coordinate with יֵלֵךְ→ Yiqtol (jussive nuance): permissive — 'and let him return'שׁוּב (H7725); see v.5.
לְבֵית֑וֹto his houseprep לְ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffix · בַּיִת (H1004)Adverbial (goal) prepositional phraseבַּיִת (H1004); see v.5.
פֶּןlestconj · פֶּן (H6435)Introduces negative purpose clause (rationale for the exemption)פֶּן (H6435); see v.5.
יָמוּת֙he dieQal impf 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb of the פֶּן-clause→ Yiqtol: potential/feared future — the risk the exemption forestallsמוּת (H4191); see v.5.
בַּמִּלְחָמָ֔הin the battleprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · מִלְחָמָה (H4421)Adverbial (locative) prepositional phraseמִלְחָמָה (H4421); see v.5.
וְאִ֥ישׁand manconj וְ + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of יִקָּחֶנָּה (coordinate clause)אִישׁ (H376); see v.5.
אַחֵ֖רanotherAdj m sg abs · אַחֵר (H312)Attributive adjective modifying אִישׁאַחֵר (H312); see v.5.
יִקָּחֶֽנָּהwill take herQal impf 3ms + 3fs suffix · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb of the coordinate clause→ Yiqtol: potential future — the feared alternative outcomeלָקַח (H3947); see לְקָחָהּ above — another man marrying the betrothed woman instead of her intended, the most poignant of the three domestic exemptions (cf. 28:30).
8
וְיָסְפ֣וּ הַשֹּׁטְרִים֮ לְדַבֵּ֣ר אֶל הָעָם֒ וְאָמְר֗וּ מִי הָאִ֤ישׁ הַיָּרֵא֙ וְרַ֣ךְ הַלֵּבָ֔ב יֵלֵ֖ךְ וְיָשֹׁ֣ב לְבֵית֑וֹ וְלֹ֥א יִמַּ֛ס אֶת לְבַ֥ב אֶחָ֖יו כִּלְבָבֽוֹ
And the officers shall speak further to the people and say: 'Who is the man who is fearful and fainthearted? Let him go and return to his house, so that he does not melt his brothers' heart like his own.'
Unlike the three preceding exemptions (unfinished life-events), this one addresses an inner state, and its rationale shifts from the recurring פֶּן ('lest he die') to וְלֹא + yiqtol ('so that he will not melt...') — the concern moves from individual death to the corporate danger of contagious fear, closing the ring begun with the fear-vocabulary of vv.1,3.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וְיָסְפ֣וּand shall continueconj וְ + Qal perf consec 3cp · יָסַף (H3254)Predicate verb, weqatal opening a further stage of the officers' address→ Weqatal: sequential — 'and they shall continue/again'יָסַף (H3254) 'add, continue'; with infinitive לְדַבֵּר forms the idiom 'to speak again/further', introducing the fourth and final exemption.
הַשֹּׁטְרִים֮the officersart + Qal ptc m pl abs (substantival) · שָׁטַר (H7860)Subject of וְיָסְפוּ→ Participle: substantival — a functionary titleשָׁטַר (H7860); see v.5.
לְדַבֵּ֣רto speakprep לְ + Piel inf constr · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Complementary infinitive completing וְיָסְפוּ→ Infinitive construct: complement — 'to speak further'דִּבֶּר (H1696) Piel 'speak'; complements יָסַף in the idiom 'continue to speak.'
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase, addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to.'
הָעָם֒the peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Object of preposition אֶלעַם (H5971); see v.5.
וְאָמְר֗וּand they shall sayconj וְ + Qal perf consec 3cp · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb, weqatal introducing direct speech→ Weqatal: sequential — introduces the fourth exemption's direct quotationאָמַר (H559); see v.3.
מִיwhointerrog particle · מִי (H4310)Interrogative, introduces fourth exemption questionמִי (H4310); see v.5.
הָאִ֤ישׁthe manart + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Predicate nominative / subject complement of מִיאִישׁ (H376); see v.5.
הַיָּרֵא֙the fearfulart + Adj m sg abs · יָרֵא (H3373)Attributive adjective modifying הָאִישׁיָרֵא (H3373) 'fearful, afraid'; unlike the previous three exemptions (unfinished life-events), this fourth criterion is a psychological state — echoing the very fear forbidden in vv.1,3.
וְרַ֣ךְand softconj וְ + Adj m sg constr · רַךְ (H7390)Coordinate attributive adjective, construct with הַלֵּבָברַךְ (H7390) 'tender, soft, timid'; construct before הַלֵּבָב, 'soft of heart' — same root as יֵרַךְ in v.3, forming an inclusio around the speech's fear-vocabulary.
הַלֵּבָ֔בthe heartart + N m sg abs · לֵבָב (H3824)Genitive complement of רַךְ (construct chain)לֵבָב (H3824); see v.3 — here explicitly named as the seat of the fear/courage the whole chapter addresses.
יֵלֵ֖ךְlet him goQal impf 3ms (jussive force) · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb, main clause (permissive/jussive)→ Yiqtol (jussive nuance): permissive command — 'let him go'הָלַךְ (H3212); see v.5.
וְיָשֹׁ֣בand let him returnconj וְ + Qal impf 3ms · שׁוּב (H7725)Predicate verb, coordinate with יֵלֵךְ→ Yiqtol (jussive nuance): permissive — 'and let him return'שׁוּב (H7725); see v.5.
לְבֵית֑וֹto his houseprep לְ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffix · בַּיִת (H1004)Adverbial (goal) prepositional phraseבַּיִת (H1004); see v.5.
וְלֹ֥אand notconj וְ + neg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates יִמַּס (purpose/result clause, replacing פֶּן)לֹא (H3808); uniquely among the four exemptions the rationale is phrased with וְלֹא + yiqtol rather than פֶּן + yiqtol — a shift from 'lest' to 'so that he will not', foregrounding communal morale over personal risk.
יִמַּ֛סmeltNiphal impf 3ms · מָסַס (H4549)Predicate verb of the rationale clause→ Yiqtol (negated): the feared communal consequence — morale contagionמָסַס (H4549) Niphal 'melt, dissolve'; metaphor for courage dissolving through the ranks — the fearful man's own dread 'melting' his comrades' resolve, the chapter's psychological climax.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking אֶת לְבַב אֶחָיו as definite direct object; untranslated.
לְבַ֥בthe heart ofN m sg constr · לֵבָב (H3824)Direct object of יִמַּס, head of construct chainלֵבָב (H3824); construct before אֶחָיו, 'the heart of his brothers' — the object of the feared demoralization.
אֶחָ֖יוhis brothersN m pl constr + 3ms suffix · אָח (H251)Genitive complement of לְבַב (construct chain)אָח (H251) 'brother'; here fellow soldiers, comrades-in-arms — fraternal solidarity is precisely what fear threatens to dissolve.
כִּלְבָבֽוֹlike his own heartprep כְּ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffix · לֵבָב (H3824)Comparative prepositional phrase (standard of comparison for יִמַּס)לֵבָב (H3824) with comparative כְּ, 'like his own [heart]' — the fearful man's dread becomes the measure and cause of his comrades' collapse in courage.
9
וְהָיָ֛ה כְּכַלֹּ֥ת הַשֹּׁטְרִ֖ים לְדַבֵּ֣ר אֶל הָעָ֑ם וּפָֽקְד֛וּ שָׂרֵ֥י צְבָא֖וֹת בְּרֹ֥אשׁ הָעָֽם
And it shall be, when the officers finish speaking to the people, that they shall appoint commanders of troops at the head of the people.
A weqatal chain (וְהָיָה...וּפָקְדוּ) marks the formal close of vv.2-8's exemption speeches and pivots to military organization, preparing for the siege regulations of vv.10ff.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְהָיָ֛הand it will beconj וְ + Qal perf consec 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb, weqatal opening a new stage→ Weqatal: sequential/futureהָיָה (H1961); see v.2 — formulaic weqatal marking transition.
כְּכַלֹּ֥תwhen they finishprep כְּ + Piel inf constr · כָּלָה (H3615)Temporal prepositional phrase (infinitive clause)→ Infinitive construct: temporal — 'when they finish'כָּלָה (H3615) Piel 'complete, finish'; marks the conclusion of the officers' entire speech (vv.5-8).
הַשֹּׁטְרִ֖יםthe officersart + Qal ptc m pl abs (substantival) · שָׁטַר (H7860)Subject of the infinitive כְּכַלֹּת→ Participle: substantivalשָׁטַר (H7860); see v.5.
לְדַבֵּ֣רto speakprep לְ + Piel inf constr · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Complementary infinitive completing כְּכַלֹּת→ Infinitive construct: complement — object of 'finish'דִּבֶּר (H1696); see v.8 — 'finish speaking.'
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase, addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to.'
הָעָ֑םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Object of preposition אֶלעַם (H5971); see v.5.
וּפָֽקְד֛וּand they shall appointconj וְ + Qal perf consec 3cp · פָּקַד (H6485)Predicate verb, weqatal continuing the apodosis→ Weqatal: sequential — a new administrative actionפָּקַד (H6485) 'appoint, muster, number'; here of installing military commanders, echoing the term's census/muster sense (cf. Num 1).
שָׂרֵ֥יcommanders ofN m pl constr · שַׂר (H8269)Direct object of וּפָקְדוּ, head of construct chainשַׂר (H8269) 'chief, official, commander'; here military officers over troop divisions.
צְבָא֖וֹתof troopsN c pl abs · צָבָא (H6635)Genitive complement of שָׂרֵי (construct chain)צָבָא (H6635) 'army, host, service'; the standing military divisions now placed under appointed commanders.
בְּרֹ֥אשׁat the head ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · רֹאשׁ (H7218)Adverbial (locative) prepositional phraseרֹאשׁ (H7218) 'head'; idiomatic 'at the head of' = in command over.
הָעָֽםthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Genitive complement of בְּרֹאשׁעַם (H5971); the mustered army now organized under its officers, ready for v.10's engagement.
10
כִּֽי תִקְרַ֣ב אֶל עִ֔יר לְהִלָּחֵ֖ם עָלֶ֑יהָ וְקָרָ֥אתָ אֵלֶ֖יהָ לְשָׁלֽוֹם
When you draw near to a city to fight against it, you shall proclaim peace to it.
A new casus pendens protasis (כִּי תִקְרַב) parallel to v.1's opening, now addressing the tactics of besieging a specific city; the apodosis וְקָרָאתָ...לְשָׁלוֹם establishes the chapter's most striking legal-ethical requirement — an offer of peace is mandatory before hostilities.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
כִּֽיwhenconj · כִּי (H3588)Introductory conjunction (temporal protasis)כִּי (H3588); temporal, opening the siege-city regulations of vv.10-15.
תִקְרַ֣בyou draw nearQal impf 2ms · קָרַב (H7126)Predicate verb of the protasis→ Yiqtol: imperfective — the recurring/future occasion of approaching a cityקָרַב (H7126) 'draw near, approach'; here of approaching a city to besiege it, echoing v.2's כְּקָרָבְכֶם.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase, goalאֶל (H413) 'to.'
עִ֔ירa cityN f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Object of preposition אֶלעִיר (H5892) 'city'; introduces the chapter's second major topic — the treatment of besieged cities, distinguishing far cities (vv.10-15) from near ones (vv.16-18).
לְהִלָּחֵ֖םto fightprep לְ + Niphal inf constr · לָחַם (H3898)Adverbial (purpose) infinitive clause→ Infinitive construct: purpose — 'in order to fight'לָחַם (H3898); see v.4.
עָלֶ֑יהָagainst itprep עַל + 3fs suffix · עַל (H5921)Adverbial complement of לְהִלָּחֵםעַל (H5921) 'against'; the city (feminine) as object of the intended siege.
וְקָרָ֥אתָthen you shall proclaimconj וְ + Qal perf consec 2ms · קָרָא (H7121)Predicate verb, weqatal apodosis→ Weqatal: sequential/obligatory — the required first step before any siegeקָרָא (H7121) 'call, proclaim'; here a formal diplomatic overture, issuing terms.
אֵלֶ֖יהָto itprep אֶל + 3fs suffix · אֶל (H413)Adverbial complement of וְקָרָאתָאֶל (H413) 'to'; the city addressed as recipient of the peace-proclamation.
לְשָׁלֽוֹםwith peaceprep לְ + N m sg abs · שָׁלוֹם (H7965)Adverbial (content/purpose) prepositional phraseשָׁלוֹם (H7965) 'peace, wholeness, well-being'; the key term of vv.10-15 — every distant city must first be offered terms of peace before any siege, a striking limitation on ancient Near Eastern warfare's conduct.
11
וְהָיָה֙ אִם שָׁל֣וֹם תַּֽעַנְךָ֔ וּפָתְחָ֖ה לָ֑ךְ וְהָיָ֞ה כָּל הָעָ֣ם הַנִּמְצָא בָ֗הּ יִהְי֥וּ לְךָ֛ לָמַ֖ס וַעֲבָדֽוּךָ
And it shall be, if it answers you peaceably and opens to you, then all the people found in it shall become forced laborers for you, and they shall serve you.
The 'peace accepted' branch of the two-way condition begun in v.10; the outcome is not annexation as equals but permanent subjugation to forced labor (מַס) — a graduated, non-lethal alternative kept distinct from the total destruction mandated for the six Canaanite nations (vv.16-18).
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְהָיָה֙and it will beconj וְ + Qal perf consec 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb, weqatal opening the conditional chain→ Weqatal: sequential/futureהָיָה (H1961); formulaic, introducing the conditional scenario of the city's response.
אִםifconj · אִם (H518)Introduces the conditional protasisאִם (H518) 'if'; introduces the two-way conditional (peace vs. resistance) structuring vv.11-12.
שָׁל֣וֹםpeaceN m sg abs · שָׁלוֹם (H7965)Direct object (adverbial accusative) of תַּעַנְךָשָׁלוֹם (H7965); see v.10 — the city's hoped-for response to the proclamation.
תַּֽעַנְךָ֔it answers youQal impf 3fs + 2ms suffix · עָנָה (H6030)Predicate verb of the conditional protasis (subject: the city)→ Yiqtol: potential future — the condition to be testedעָנָה (H6030) 'answer, respond'; the city (grammatically feminine, personified) responding favorably to the peace-offer.
וּפָתְחָ֖הand opensconj וְ + Qal perf consec 3fs · פָּתַח (H6605)Predicate verb, weqatal continuing the protasis→ Weqatal: sequential — the concrete act of surrender, opening the gatesפָּתַח (H6605) 'open'; idiomatic for opening a city's gates in submission/surrender.
לָ֑ךְto youprep לְ + 2fs suffix · לְAdverbial complement of וּפָתְחָהלְ dative, 'to you'; the suffix here is 2fs, an apparent gender-mixing with the surrounding 2ms address typical of this chapter's fluid style.
וְהָיָ֞הthen it will beconj וְ + Qal perf consec 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb, weqatal introducing the apodosis (consequence of surrender)→ Weqatal: sequential/futureהָיָה (H1961); introduces the terms imposed on a city that surrenders peacefully.
כָּלall ofN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Subject (construct head), 'all the people'כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct with הָעָם.
הָעָ֣םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Genitive complement of כָּל (construct chain)עַם (H5971); the city's population, now subject to the terms of subjugation.
הַנִּמְצָאfoundart + Niphal ptc m sg abs · מָצָא (H4672)Attributive participle modifying כָּל הָעָם→ Participle: attributive — describes the population's presence at the moment of surrenderמָצָא (H4672) Niphal 'be found, be present'; identifies all inhabitants present in the city as subject to the following terms.
בָ֗הּin itprep בְּ + 3fs suffix · בְּAdverbial (locative) complement of הַנִּמְצָאבְּ 'in'; refers back to the city.
יִהְי֥וּthey shall beQal impf 3mp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb of the apodosis→ Yiqtol: obligatory future — the imposed legal statusהָיָה (H1961) 'be, become'; here of a change in status, becoming subject to forced labor.
לְךָ֛to youprep לְ + 2ms suffix · לְAdverbial (dative) complement of יִהְיוּלְ dative, marking the besieger as the one to whom the population becomes subject.
לָמַ֖סfor forced laborprep לְ + N m sg abs · מַס (H4522)Predicate complement of יִהְיוּ (result/status)מַס (H4522) 'forced labor, corvée, tribute-labor'; the imposed status of a surrendered city's population — vassalage rather than annihilation, the outcome for cities that accept peace terms.
וַעֲבָדֽוּךָand they shall serve youconj וְ + Qal perf consec 3cp + 2ms suffix · עָבַד (H5647)Predicate verb, weqatal continuing the apodosis→ Weqatal: sequential/obligatory — the resulting condition of servitudeעָבַד (H5647) 'serve, work, be enslaved to'; the population becomes a subject labor-force, the outcome of accepting the peace-offer rather than the total destruction reserved for the six nations (vv.16-18).
12
וְאִם לֹ֤א תַשְׁלִים֙ עִמָּ֔ךְ וְעָשְׂתָ֥ה עִמְּךָ֖ מִלְחָמָ֑ה וְצַרְתָּ֖ עָלֶֽיהָּ
But if it does not make peace with you but wages war against you, then you shall besiege it.
Completes the two-way condition opened in vv.10-11: only after a city both refuses the peace-offer (תַשְׁלִים negated) and initiates hostilities (וְעָשְׂתָה...מִלְחָמָה) is siege warfare (וְצַרְתָּ) authorized, making military action a last resort rather than a default.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וְאִםbut ifconj וְ + conj · אִם (H518)Introduces the second (resistance) branch of the conditionalאִם (H518) with adversative וְ, 'but if'; opens the negative alternative to v.11's peaceful surrender.
לֹ֤אnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates תַשְׁלִיםלֹא (H3808); negates the city's compliance.
תַשְׁלִים֙makes peaceHiphil impf 3fs · שָׁלַם (H7999)Predicate verb of the conditional protasis→ Yiqtol (negated): the failed condition — refusal to submitשָׁלַם (H7999) Hiphil 'make peace, come to terms'; denominative from שָׁלוֹם — the city's refusal of the terms offered in v.10.
עִמָּ֔ךְwith youprep עִם + 2fs suffix · עִם (H5973)Adverbial complement of תַשְׁלִיםעִם (H5973) 'with'; marks the besieger as the party the city fails to make peace with.
וְעָשְׂתָ֥הand makesconj וְ + Qal perf consec 3fs · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb, weqatal continuing the protasis→ Weqatal: sequential — the concrete act of resistanceעָשָׂה (H6213) 'make, do'; idiomatic with מִלְחָמָה, 'wage war.'
עִמְּךָ֖with youprep עִם + 2ms suffix · עִם (H5973)Adverbial complement of וְעָשְׂתָהעִם (H5973); marks the besieger as the opposing party in the resulting war.
מִלְחָמָ֑הwarN f sg abs · מִלְחָמָה (H4421)Direct object (cognate-type) of וְעָשְׂתָהמִלְחָמָה (H4421); see v.1 — the resulting state if the city refuses peace.
וְצַרְתָּ֖then you shall besiegeconj וְ + Qal perf consec 2ms · צוּר (H6696)Predicate verb, weqatal apodosis→ Weqatal: sequential/obligatory — the authorized response to refusalצוּר (H6696) 'besiege, confine'; only now, after peace has been refused, is siege warfare authorized — the same root gives מָצוֹר 'siege(works)' in vv.19-20.
עָלֶֽיהָּagainst itprep עַל + 3fs suffix · עַל (H5921)Adverbial complement of וְצַרְתָּעַל (H5921) 'against'; the city, object of the now-authorized siege.
13
וּנְתָנָ֛הּ יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ בְּיָדֶ֑ךָ וְהִכִּיתָ֥ אֶת כָּל זְכוּרָ֖הּ לְפִי חָֽרֶב
And YHWH your God will give it into your hand, and you shall strike all its males with the edge of the sword.
The promise of divine deliverance (וּנְתָנָהּ יְהוָה...בְּיָדֶךָ) is immediately followed by the harshest term of the far-city law: all combatant-age males are put to the sword, while v.14 restricts this fate from women, children, and livestock — the text's own internal limitation on an otherwise total practice.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וּנְתָנָ֛הּand shall give itconj וְ + Qal perf consec 3ms + 3fs suffix · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb, weqatal apodosis (result of the siege)→ Weqatal: sequential/promissory — the assured outcome of the siegeנָתַן (H5414) 'give'; here of YHWH delivering the besieged city into Israel's hand — victory framed as divine gift, echoing v.4's theology.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וּנְתָנָהּיְהוָה (H3068); the giver of victory, as throughout the chapter.
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430); see v.1.
בְּיָדֶ֑ךָinto your handprep בְּ + N c sg constr + 2ms suffix · יָד (H3027)Adverbial (goal/result) prepositional phraseיָד (H3027) 'hand'; idiom 'into your hand' = under your power, the standard formula for military victory granted by YHWH.
וְהִכִּיתָ֥and you shall strikeconj וְ + Hiphil perf consec 2ms · נָכָה (H5221)Predicate verb, weqatal continuing the apodosis→ Weqatal: sequential/obligatory — the required action upon the city's fallנָכָה (H5221) Hiphil 'strike, smite, kill'; the standard verb for lethal military action.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), marking כָּל זְכוּרָהּ as definite direct object.
כָּלall ofN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Direct object (construct head) of וְהִכִּיתָכֹּל (H3605); construct with זְכוּרָהּ.
זְכוּרָ֖הּits malesN m sg constr + 3fs suffix · זָכוּר (H2138)Genitive complement of כָּל (construct chain)זָכוּר (H2138) 'male'; a rare collective term (root זכר) for the male population — specifies combatant-age males as the object of the sword, distinguished from the women/children/livestock spared as spoil in v.14.
לְפִיby the mouth ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · פֶּה (H6310)Adverbial (instrumental) prepositional phraseפֶּה (H6310) 'mouth'; idiom לְפִי־חֶרֶב 'by the edge/mouth of the sword' — a common Hebrew battle-formula for wholesale slaughter.
חָֽרֶבthe swordN f sg abs · חֶרֶב (H2719)Genitive complement of לְפִי (construct chain)חֶרֶב (H2719) 'sword'; instrument of the male population's execution — the harsh consequence of a distant city's refusal of peace.
14
רַ֣ק הַ֠נָּשִׁים וְהַטַּ֨ף וְהַבְּהֵמָ֜ה וְכֹל֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִהְיֶ֥ה בָעִ֛יר כָּל שְׁלָלָ֖הּ תָּבֹ֣ז לָ֑ךְ וְאָֽכַלְתָּ֙ אֶת שְׁלַ֣ל אֹיְבֶ֔יךָ אֲשֶׁ֥ר נָתַ֛ן יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ לָֽךְ
Only the women, the children, the livestock, and everything else in the city — all its spoil — you may take as plunder for yourself; and you shall enjoy the spoil of your enemies, which YHWH your God has given you.
רַק sharply restricts what follows from v.13's mandate: women, children, and livestock are not put to the sword but become licit plunder, framed once more as YHWH's gift (אֲשֶׁר נָתַן) rather than mere conquest — the chapter's recurring theology of divinely granted victory.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
רַ֣קonlyrestrictive particle · רַק (H7535)Restrictive particle, limits the exception to what followsרַק (H7535) 'only, but'; marks the sharp exception — 'only [these are spared]' — from the wholesale slaughter of v.13.
הַ֠נָּשִׁיםthe womenart + N f pl abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Subject/topic of the exception clauseאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman'; here plural, the female population spared from the sword of v.13.
וְהַטַּ֨ףand the childrenconj וְ + art + N m sg abs · טַף (H2945)Coordinate with הַנָּשִׁיםטַף (H2945) 'children, little ones' (collective); the second category exempted from execution.
וְהַבְּהֵמָ֜הand the livestockconj וְ + art + N f sg abs · בְּהֵמָה (H929)Coordinate with הַנָּשִׁיםבְּהֵמָה (H929) 'animal, livestock' (collective); the third category — non-human property taken as spoil rather than destroyed.
וְכֹל֩and allconj וְ + N m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Coordinate subject, head of a relative clauseכֹּל (H3605) 'all, everything'; generalizes the exemption to all remaining property.
אֲשֶׁ֨רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Introduces relative clause modifying כֹּלאֲשֶׁר (H834); see v.5.
יִהְיֶ֥הisQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Yiqtol: generic/durative — whatever happens to be presentהָיָה (H1961) 'be'; generic existential, 'whatever is [in the city].'
בָעִ֛ירin the cityprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Adverbial (locative) prepositional phraseעִיר (H5892); see v.10.
כָּלall ofN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Subject (construct head) of תָּבֹזכֹּל (H3605); construct with שְׁלָלָהּ.
שְׁלָלָ֖הּits spoilN m sg constr + 3fs suffix · שָׁלָל (H7998)Genitive complement of כָּל (construct chain)שָׁלָל (H7998) 'spoil, plunder, booty'; the city's total movable wealth, now legally available to the conquerors.
תָּבֹ֣זyou may plunderQal impf 2ms · בָּזַז (H962)Predicate verb (permissive main clause)→ Yiqtol (permissive): 'you may take as spoil'בָּזַז (H962) 'plunder, take as spoil'; permission granted regarding property, contrasting with the mandatory command against the males in v.13.
לָ֑ךְfor yourselfprep לְ + 2fs suffix · לְAdverbial (dative of advantage) complement of תָּבֹזלְ dative of advantage, 'for yourself' — another instance of the chapter's 2fs/2ms address fluidity.
וְאָֽכַלְתָּ֙and you shall eatconj וְ + Qal perf consec 2ms · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb, weqatal continuing the permission→ Weqatal: sequential/permissive — enjoyment of the plunderאָכַל (H398) 'eat, consume'; here broadly of using/enjoying the captured spoil, not only food.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), marking שְׁלַל אֹיְבֶיךָ as definite direct object.
שְׁלַ֣לthe spoil ofN m sg constr · שָׁלָל (H7998)Direct object (construct head) of וְאָכַלְתָּשָׁלָל (H7998); see שְׁלָלָהּ above; construct with אֹיְבֶיךָ.
אֹיְבֶ֔יךָyour enemiesQal ptc m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֹיֵב (H341)Genitive complement of שְׁלַל (construct chain, substantival participle)→ Participle: substantival — 'those hostile to you'אֹיֵב (H341); see v.1.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Introduces relative clause modifying שְׁלַל אֹיְבֶיךָאֲשֶׁר (H834); see v.5.
נָתַ֛ןhas givenQal perf 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed act — YHWH's grant of the spoilנָתַן (H5414); see v.13 — victory and its spoils alike are YHWH's gift.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of נָתַןיְהוָה (H3068); see v.1.
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430); see v.1.
לָֽךְto youprep לְ + 2fs suffix · לְAdverbial (dative) complement of נָתַןלְ dative, 'to you'; again a 2fs suffix amid otherwise 2ms address.
15
כֵּ֤ן תַּעֲשֶׂה֙ לְכָל הֶ֣עָרִ֔ים הָרְחֹקֹ֥ת מִמְּךָ֖ מְאֹ֑ד אֲשֶׁ֛ר לֹא מֵעָרֵ֥י הַגּֽוֹיִם הָאֵ֖לֶּה הֵֽנָּה
So you shall do to all the cities that are very far from you, which are not among the cities of these nations.
כֵּן summarizes vv.10-14 as the standard procedure for distant cities, while the negated relative clause (אֲשֶׁר לֹא...) pivots to the geographic/ethnic criterion — proximity within the land and identity as one of 'these nations' — that triggers the very different rule of vv.16-18.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
כֵּ֤ןsoadverb · כֵּן (H3651)Adverbial, 'thus/so' — comparative summaryכֵּן (H3651) 'so, thus'; summarizes the preceding terms (peace-offer, then siege terms of vv.10-14) as the standard procedure.
תַּעֲשֶׂה֙you shall doQal impf 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: obligatory/generalizing — a standing rule for all such casesעָשָׂה (H6213) 'do, make'; generalizes the preceding case-law into a standing rule.
לְכָלto allprep לְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Adverbial prepositional phrase (scope)כֹּל (H3605); construct with הֶעָרִים, 'to all the cities.'
הֶ֣עָרִ֔יםthe citiesart + N f pl abs · עִיר (H5892)Genitive complement of לְכָלעִיר (H5892); see v.10, now plural — the class of cities the rule generalizes to.
הָרְחֹקֹ֥תthe distantart + Adj f pl abs · רָחוֹק (H7350)Attributive adjective modifying הֶעָרִיםרָחוֹק (H7350) 'far, distant'; the defining criterion distinguishing this class of cities (offered peace) from the near, land-inheritance cities of vv.16-18.
מִמְּךָ֖from youprep מִן + 2ms suffix · מִן (H4480)Comparative prepositional phrase (distance)מִן (H4480) here of spatial distance, 'far from you.'
מְאֹ֑דveryadverb · מְאֹד (H3966)Adverbial intensifier of הָרְחֹקֹתמְאֹד (H3966) 'very, exceedingly'; intensifies רָחוֹק, 'very far.'
אֲשֶׁ֛רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Introduces relative clause modifying הֶעָרִיםאֲשֶׁר (H834); see v.5.
לֹאnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the (elided) predicate 'are'לֹא (H3808); negates the relative clause's implicit copula.
מֵעָרֵ֥יof the cities ofprep מִן + N f pl constr · עִיר (H5892)Predicate complement (negated) of the relative clauseעִיר (H5892); construct, 'the cities of' — with לֹא, 'are not among the cities of.'
הַגּֽוֹיִםthe nationsart + N m pl abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Genitive complement of מֵעָרֵי (construct chain)גּוֹי (H1471) 'nation, people'; here the Canaanite nations of the land, contrasted with distant peoples.
הָאֵ֖לֶּהtheseart + demonstrative pron c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַגּוֹיִםאֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; points to the specific nations named in v.17.
הֵֽנָּהtheyindependent pron 3fp · הֵנָּה (H2007)Resumptive/emphatic predicate pronoun, 'these here'הֵנָּה (H2007), 3fp independent pronoun agreeing with feminine plural הֶעָרִים; emphatically resumes the identification, 'these [cities] here.'
16
רַ֗ק מֵעָרֵ֤י הָֽעַמִּים֙ הָאֵ֔לֶּה אֲשֶׁר֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ נֹתֵ֥ן לְךָ֖ נַחֲלָ֑ה לֹ֥א תְחַיֶּ֖ה כָּל נְשָׁמָֽה
Only, from the cities of these peoples that YHWH your God is giving you as an inheritance, you shall not let anything that breathes live.
רַק sets this rule sharply against the preceding generalization (v.15): for cities within the promised inheritance, the exemptions of v.14 (women, children, livestock spared) are explicitly withdrawn — לֹא תְחַיֶּה כָּל נְשָׁמָה is total, the chapter's starkest and most morally difficult command.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
רַ֗קonlyrestrictive particle · רַק (H7535)Restrictive particle, sharply contrasts this rule with vv.10-15רַק (H7535); see v.14 — here marking the sharp exception from the far-city procedure just generalized in v.15.
מֵעָרֵ֤יfrom the cities ofprep מִן + N f pl constr · עִיר (H5892)Adverbial (partitive/source) prepositional phraseעִיר (H5892); construct, 'the cities of' — introducing the near-nations exception.
הָֽעַמִּים֙the peoplesart + N m pl abs · עַם (H5971)Genitive complement of מֵעָרֵי (construct chain)עַם (H5971); here plural, 'peoples' — the Canaanite populations named in v.17.
הָאֵ֔לֶּהtheseart + demonstrative pron c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Attributive demonstrative modifying הָעַמִּיםאֵלֶּה (H428); see v.15.
אֲשֶׁר֙whichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Introduces relative clause modifying הָעַמִּים הָאֵלֶּהאֲשֶׁר (H834); see v.5.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of נֹתֵןיְהוָה (H3068); see v.1.
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430); see v.1.
נֹתֵ֥ןgivesQal ptc m sg abs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb of the relative clause (participial predicate)→ Participle: present/durative — YHWH's ongoing act of granting the landנָתַן (H5414) 'give'; participial (not perfect) — the land-grant is the theological ground for the following ban, presented as YHWH's gift-in-progress.
לְךָ֖to youprep לְ + 2ms suffix · לְAdverbial (dative) complement of נֹתֵןלְ dative, marking Israel as recipient.
נַחֲלָ֑הas an inheritanceN f sg abs · נַחֲלָה (H5159)Direct object / adverbial accusative complement of נֹתֵןנַחֲלָה (H5159) 'inheritance, possession'; the land as Israel's permanent, divinely allotted possession — the theological basis distinguishing it from the distant territories of vv.10-15.
לֹ֥אnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates תְחַיֶּהלֹא (H3808); introduces the chapter's harshest command.
תְחַיֶּ֖הyou shall let livePiel impf 2ms · חָיָה (H2421)Predicate verb (main clause, negated command)→ Yiqtol (negated): categorical prohibition — total ban, no exceptionsחָיָה (H2421) Piel (causative) 'keep alive, let live'; the negated form לֹא תְחַיֶּה כָּל נְשָׁמָה, 'you shall not let any breathing thing live', is the technical formula for the חֵרֶם/ban — the sharpest command in the chapter.
כָּלanyN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Direct object (construct head) of תְחַיֶּהכֹּל (H3605); construct with נְשָׁמָה, 'any breathing thing.'
נְשָׁמָֽהbreathing thingN f sg abs · נְשָׁמָה (H5397)Genitive complement of כָּל (construct chain)נְשָׁמָה (H5397) 'breath, breath of life' (cf. Gen 2:7); here totalizing, 'anything that breathes', extending the ban to the entire population without the exemptions of v.14.
17
כִּֽי הַחֲרֵ֣ם תַּחֲרִימֵ֗ם הַחִתִּ֤י וְהָאֱמֹרִי֙ הַכְּנַעֲנִ֣י וְהַפְּרִזִּ֔י הַחִוִּ֖י וְהַיְבוּסִ֑י כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוְּךָ֖ יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ
But you shall utterly destroy them — the Hittite, the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite — just as YHWH your God has commanded you.
The paronomastic infinitive-absolute construction הַחֲרֵם תַּחֲרִימֵם gives the command maximal emphasis; the six-nation list (the standard Deuteronomic roster, cf. 7:1) is followed by an explicit appeal to prior divine command (כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוְּךָ) — the text grounds its harshest demand in obedience rather than any claim about Israel's own righteousness (cf. 9:4-5).
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
כִּֽיbutconj · כִּי (H3588)Adversative/explanatory conjunction, introducing the contrasting commandכִּי (H3588); here adversative, 'but rather' — contrasting the ban command with the preceding statement of the land-grant.
הַחֲרֵ֣םutterly destroyHiphil inf abs · חָרַם (H2763)Infinitive absolute intensifying תַּחֲרִימֵם (paronomastic construction)→ Infinitive absolute: emphatic intensification — 'you shall UTTERLY destroy'חָרַם (H2763) Hiphil 'devote to destruction, exterminate'; the infinitive absolute + finite verb (הַחֲרֵם תַּחֲרִימֵם) is Hebrew's strongest way of expressing an absolute, non-negotiable command.
תַּחֲרִימֵ֗םyou shall destroy themHiphil impf 2ms + 3mp suffix · חָרַם (H2763)Predicate verb (main clause, intensified by infinitive absolute)→ Yiqtol: emphatic/categorical command — reinforced by the preceding infinitive absoluteחָרַם (H2763); root of חֵרֶם 'ban, thing devoted to destruction' — total annihilation as a quasi-sacrificial act of devotion to YHWH, applied here specifically and only to the six nations named.
הַחִתִּ֤יthe Hittiteart + gentilic noun · חִתִּי (H2850)First item in the list, in apposition to the implied objectחִתִּי (H2850) 'Hittite'; first of the traditional list of Canaan's pre-Israelite inhabitants (cf. Gen 15:19-21; Deut 7:1).
וְהָאֱמֹרִי֙and the Amoriteconj וְ + art + gentilic noun · אֱמֹרִי (H567)Second item, coordinateאֱמֹרִי (H567) 'Amorite'; second nation of the traditional list.
הַכְּנַעֲנִ֣יthe Canaaniteart + gentilic noun · כְּנַעֲנִי (H3669)Third item, coordinateכְּנַעֲנִי (H3669) 'Canaanite'; the land's eponymous inhabitants, third of the six.
וְהַפְּרִזִּ֔יand the Perizziteconj וְ + art + gentilic noun · פְּרִזִּי (H6522)Fourth item, coordinateפְּרִזִּי (H6522) 'Perizzite'; fourth nation, of uncertain etymology (perhaps 'villagers').
הַחִוִּ֖יthe Hiviteart + gentilic noun · חִוִּי (H2340)Fifth item, coordinateחִוִּי (H2340) 'Hivite'; fifth of the six nations.
וְהַיְבוּסִ֑יand the Jebusiteconj וְ + art + gentilic noun · יְבוּסִי (H2983)Sixth item, coordinate, closing the listיְבוּסִי (H2983) 'Jebusite'; sixth and final nation — the pre-Israelite inhabitants of Jerusalem itself, giving the list its concrete, unsettling specificity.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥רjust asprep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Introduces a comparative clause of manner (divine command as warrant)כְּ + אֲשֶׁר, 'just as, according as'; grounds the ban's authority explicitly in divine command, not human policy.
צִוְּךָ֖commanded youPiel perf 3ms + 2ms suffix · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate verb of the comparative clause→ Perfective: a completed, prior act — the command already givenצִוָּה (H6680) Piel 'command'; the ban is presented not as Israel's own policy but as obedience to a prior divine directive.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of צִוְּךָיְהוָה (H3068); see v.1 — here the source and authority behind the ban.
אֱלֹהֶֽיךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430); see v.1.
18
לְמַ֗עַן אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹֽא יְלַמְּד֤וּ אֶתְכֶם֙ לַעֲשׂ֔וֹת כְּכֹל֙ תּֽוֹעֲבֹתָ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשׂ֖וּ לֵֽאלֹהֵיהֶ֑ם וַחֲטָאתֶ֖ם לַיהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם
So that they may not teach you to do according to all their abominations that they have done for their gods, and so you sin against YHWH your God.
The text supplies its own stated reason for the otherwise unexplained severity of v.17: not conquest for its own sake but prevention of religious assimilation — the nations' תּוֹעֵבָה would become Israel's own sin against YHWH. This is the verse the text_note must weigh honestly alongside the moral difficulty of the command itself.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
לְמַ֗עַןso thatprep/conj · לְמַעַן (H4616)Introduces the purpose clause explaining the ban's rationaleלְמַעַן (H4616) 'in order that, so that'; introduces the chapter's stated rationale for the harsh command of v.17 — not ethnic hostility but the danger of religious contamination.
אֲשֶׁ֨רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Correlative with לְמַעַן, forming the purpose clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); here in the idiom לְמַעַן אֲשֶׁר, reinforcing the purpose clause.
לֹֽאnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates יְלַמְּדוּלֹא (H3808); negates the feared outcome.
יְלַמְּד֤וּthey teachPiel impf 3mp · לָמַד (H3925)Predicate verb of the purpose clause→ Yiqtol (negated purpose): 'so that they will not teach'לָמַד (H3925) Piel (causative) 'teach'; the feared danger is not military but pedagogical — the nations' surviving presence would become a school in idolatry.
אֶתְכֶם֙[obj] youobj marker + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker + object of יְלַמְּדוּאֵת (H853), object marker with 2mp suffix, 'you' — Israel as object of the feared teaching.
לַעֲשׂ֔וֹתto doprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָשָׂה (H6213)Complementary infinitive completing יְלַמְּדוּ→ Infinitive construct: complement — the content of the feared instructionעָשָׂה (H6213); complements 'teach', 'teach you to do [according to all their abominations].'
כְּכֹל֙according to allprep כְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Adverbial (manner) prepositional phrase, complement of לַעֲשׂוֹתכֹּל (H3605); construct with תּוֹעֲבֹתָם.
תּֽוֹעֲבֹתָ֔םtheir abominationsN f pl constr + 3mp suffix · תּוֹעֵבָה (H8441)Genitive complement of כְּכֹל (construct chain)תּוֹעֵבָה (H8441) 'abomination, detestable thing'; Deuteronomy's standard term for the cultic practices of the nations (child sacrifice, divination, etc.; cf. 18:9-12) Israel must not learn.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Introduces relative clause modifying תּוֹעֲבֹתָםאֲשֶׁר (H834); see v.5.
עָשׂ֖וּthey have doneQal perf 3cp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, habitual practiceעָשָׂה (H6213) 'do'; the nations' established, ongoing cultic practice.
לֵֽאלֹהֵיהֶ֑םfor their godsprep לְ + N m pl constr + 3mp suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Adverbial (dative) prepositional phrase, complement of עָשׂוּאֱלֹהִים (H430); here of the foreign nations' deities — object of the abominable practices.
וַחֲטָאתֶ֖םand you would sinconj וְ + Qal perf consec 2mp · חָטָא (H2398)Predicate verb, weqatal continuing the purpose/result clause→ Weqatal: result — the ultimate consequence if the ban is not carried outחָטָא (H2398) 'sin, miss the mark'; names the ultimate danger the ban forestalls — not the nations' extermination as an end in itself, but Israel's own covenant fidelity to YHWH.
לַיהוָ֥הagainst YHWHprep לְ + proper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Adverbial complement of וַחֲטָאתֶםיְהוָה (H3068); the one against whom Israel would sin — the whole rationale is theological, covenant fidelity, not ethnic animus.
אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽםyour GodN m pl constr + 2mp suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430); see v.1, now plural address to the whole nation.
19
כִּֽי תָצ֣וּר אֶל עִיר֩ יָמִ֨ים רַבִּ֜ים לְֽהִלָּחֵ֧ם עָלֶ֣יהָ לְתָפְשָׂ֗הּ לֹֽא תַשְׁחִ֤ית אֶת עֵצָהּ֙ לִנְדֹּ֤חַ עָלָיו֙ גַּרְזֶ֔ן כִּ֚י מִמֶּ֣נּוּ תֹאכֵ֔ל וְאֹת֖וֹ לֹ֣א תִכְרֹ֑ת כִּ֤י הָֽאָדָם֙ עֵ֣ץ הַשָּׂדֶ֔ה לָבֹ֥א מִפָּנֶ֖יךָ בַּמָּצֽוֹר
When you besiege a city many days, fighting against it to capture it, you shall not destroy its trees by wielding an axe against them, for you may eat from them; you shall not cut them down — for is the tree of the field a man, that it should come against you in the siege?
A new casus pendens protasis (כִּי תָצוּר) parallel to vv.1,10; the prohibition תַשְׁחִית...לִנְדֹּחַ...גַּרְזֶן is restated for emphasis by תִכְרֹת, and the whole is grounded in the chapter's most debated line, כִּי הָאָדָם עֵץ הַשָּׂדֶה — read either as a rhetorical question ('is the tree of the field a man, to come against you?') or a declarative ('for man is the tree of the field'); both readings converge on the same outcome: fruit trees, unlike enemy combatants, are not legitimate objects of siege warfare.
Word-by-word analysis· 29 words
כִּֽיwhenconj · כִּי (H3588)Introductory conjunction (temporal protasis)כִּי (H3588); temporal, opening the siege-duration law and the famous tree-preservation rule.
תָצ֣וּרyou besiegeQal impf 2ms · צוּר (H6696)Predicate verb of the protasis→ Yiqtol: imperfective — a prolonged, ongoing siegeצוּר (H6696); see v.12.
אֶלagainstprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase, goalאֶל (H413) 'to, against.'
עִיר֩a cityN f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Object of preposition אֶלעִיר (H5892); see v.10.
יָמִ֨יםdaysN m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of durationיוֹם (H3117); plural, 'days' — the duration of the siege.
רַבִּ֜יםmanyAdj m pl abs · רַב (H7227)Attributive adjective modifying יָמִיםרַב (H7227); see v.1 — here 'many days', a protracted siege.
לְֽהִלָּחֵ֧םto fightprep לְ + Niphal inf constr · לָחַם (H3898)Adverbial (purpose) infinitive clause→ Infinitive construct: purposeלָחַם (H3898); see v.4.
עָלֶ֣יהָagainst itprep עַל + 3fs suffix · עַל (H5921)Adverbial complement of לְהִלָּחֵםעַל (H5921); see v.10.
לְתָפְשָׂ֗הּto capture itprep לְ + Qal inf constr + 3fs suffix · תָּפַשׂ (H8610)Adverbial (purpose) infinitive clause, second purpose infinitive→ Infinitive construct: purpose — 'in order to capture it'תָּפַשׂ (H8610) 'seize, capture'; the ultimate military goal of the siege named explicitly.
לֹֽאnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates תַשְׁחִיתלֹא (H3808); introduces the tree-preservation command.
תַשְׁחִ֤יתyou shall destroyHiphil impf 2ms · שָׁחַת (H7843)Predicate verb (main clause, negated command)→ Yiqtol (negated): categorical prohibition — 'you shall not destroy'שָׁחַת (H7843) Hiphil 'destroy, ruin, ravage'; the chapter's second great prohibition, protecting fruit trees even amid the license of a prolonged siege.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853); marks עֵצָהּ as definite object.
עֵצָהּ֙its treesN m sg constr + 3fs suffix · עֵץ (H6086)Direct object of תַשְׁחִיתעֵץ (H6086) 'tree(s), wood' (collective sg.); 'its [the city's] trees' — the orchards surrounding a besieged city, its fruit trees per v.20's qualification.
לִנְדֹּ֤חַby swingingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · נָדַח (H5080)Adverbial (means/manner) infinitive clause modifying תַשְׁחִית→ Infinitive construct: manner — describes the forbidden destructive actנָדַח (H5080) 'thrust, swing, wield'; idiomatic of swinging an axe against a tree — the specific forbidden act.
עָלָיו֙against itprep עַל + 3ms suffix · עַל (H5921)Adverbial complement of לִנְדֹּחַעַל (H5921); referring back to עֵץ (masculine), 'against it.'
גַּרְזֶ֔ןan axeN m sg abs · גַּרְזֶן (H1631)Direct object of לִנְדֹּחַגַּרְזֶן (H1631) 'axe'; rare term (elsewhere only 1 Kgs 6:7), the tool whose use against fruit trees is forbidden.
כִּ֚יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the tree's protective rationaleכִּי (H3588) causal; grounds the tree-preservation command.
מִמֶּ֣נּוּfrom itprep מִן + suffix · מִן (H4480)Adverbial (source) complement of תֹאכֵלמִן (H4480) 'from'; the suffix is tagged 1cp ('from us') in the source morphology, but context (eating from a tree, 3ms antecedent עֵץ) requires 'from it' — מִמֶּנּוּ is graphically identical for 3ms and 1cp, a standing ambiguity resolved here by context.
תֹאכֵ֔לyou shall eatQal impf 2ms · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb of the causal clause→ Yiqtol: obligatory/permissive — the tree's ongoing usefulness as foodאָכַל (H398); see v.14 — the positive rationale: the tree feeds you, hence must not be destroyed.
וְאֹת֖וֹand itconj וְ + obj marker + 3ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (fronted for emphasis) + object of תִכְרֹתאֵת (H853) with 3ms suffix and conjunctive וְ, fronted before its verb for emphasis, 'and IT you shall not cut down.'
לֹ֣אnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates תִכְרֹתלֹא (H3808); reinforces the prohibition, restated.
תִכְרֹ֑תyou shall cut downQal impf 2ms · כָּרַת (H3772)Predicate verb (main clause, negated command)→ Yiqtol (negated): categorical prohibition — restates and reinforces תַשְׁחִיתכָּרַת (H3772) 'cut off, cut down'; restates the prohibition of v.19a in the specific verb for felling a tree, emphasizing the command by repetition.
כִּ֤יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal/rhetorical conjunction introducing the chapter's cruxכִּי (H3588); introduces the famous crux כִּי הָאָדָם עֵץ הַשָּׂדֶה, whose force (causal 'for' with a declarative, or an implied interrogative) is itself part of the exegetical difficulty.
הָֽאָדָם֙the man / is the maninterrog הֲ (or article) + N m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Subject of nominal clause (the chapter's crux — rhetorical question or declarative)אָדָם (H120) 'man, humankind'; OSHB itself tags the initial הֲ here as interrogative (Ti) rather than the ordinary article (Td), reflecting the classic crux: 'is the tree of the field a man...?' (rhetorical, implying no — trees are not combatants) or, reading הַ as article, declarative 'for the man is the tree of the field' (human life, like the tree, must be preserved). Both are grammatically possible from the consonants alone; see the chapter's text_note.
עֵ֣ץthe tree ofN m sg constr · עֵץ (H6086)Predicate nominative (construct head), complement of הָאָדָםעֵץ (H6086); see עֵצָהּ above; construct with הַשָּׂדֶה.
הַשָּׂדֶ֔הthe fieldart + N m sg abs · שָׂדֶה (H7704)Genitive complement of עֵץ (construct chain)שָׂדֶה (H7704) 'field, open country'; 'tree of the field' = a wild/orchard tree, as opposed to a person.
לָבֹ֥אto comeprep לְ + Qal inf constr · בּוֹא (H935)Adverbial (purpose/result) infinitive clause→ Infinitive construct: purpose/result — completing the rhetorical question's logicבּוֹא (H935) 'come, enter'; 'to come against you in the siege' — on the rhetorical-question reading, trees cannot 'come out' to fight and so do not merit treatment as an enemy combatant.
מִפָּנֶ֖יךָagainst youprep מִן + N c pl constr + 2ms suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial complement of לָבֹאפָּנִים (H6440); see v.3 — idiom 'from before you', here hostile/confrontational, 'against you.'
בַּמָּצֽוֹרin the siegeprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · מָצוֹר (H4692)Adverbial (locative/temporal) prepositional phraseמָצוֹר (H4692) 'siege, siege-works', from the same root צור as תָצוּר/וְצַרְתָּ (vv.12,19); the setting the rhetorical question addresses — even total license of siege warfare stops short of destroying fruit trees.
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רַ֞ק עֵ֣ץ אֲשֶׁר תֵּדַ֗ע כִּֽי לֹא עֵ֤ץ מַאֲכָל֙ ה֔וּא אֹת֥וֹ תַשְׁחִ֖ית וְכָרָ֑תָּ וּבָנִ֣יתָ מָצ֗וֹר עַל הָעִיר֙ אֲשֶׁר הִ֨וא עֹשָׂ֧ה עִמְּךָ֛ מִלְחָמָ֖ה עַ֥ד רִדְתָּֽהּ
Only the tree that you know is not a tree for food, that one you may destroy and cut down, and you shall build siege-works against the city that is making war with you, until it falls.
רַק again (as in vv.14,16) marks a sharp restriction: only trees identifiably non-fruit-bearing may be felled, and specifically for building מָצוֹר, the siege-apparatus named by the same root as תָצוּר/וְצַרְתָּ in vv.12,19 — the chapter closes by returning to the practical mechanics of the siege it opened in vv.1,10, having drawn its moral lines around courage, mercy, proportionality, and even non-human life.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
רַ֞קonlyrestrictive particle · רַק (H7535)Restrictive particle, limits the destruction to non-fruit treesרַק (H7535); see vv.14,16 — restricting the previously forbidden action to a specific class of tree.
עֵ֣ץa treeN m sg abs · עֵץ (H6086)Subject/topic of the relative clause, resumed as object belowעֵץ (H6086); see v.19 — introduces the class of tree that MAY be used for siege-works.
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Introduces relative clause modifying עֵץאֲשֶׁר (H834); see v.5.
תֵּדַ֗עyou knowQal impf 2ms · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Yiqtol: generic/potential — 'you recognize/know'יָדַע (H3045) 'know'; here of practical recognition — distinguishing edible from non-edible tree species by sight.
כִּֽיthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Introduces the content clause complementing תֵּדַעכִּי (H3588); introduces the object clause, 'that it is not a tree of food.'
לֹאnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the nominal predicate עֵץ מַאֲכָללֹא (H3808); negates the identification as a food tree.
עֵ֤ץa tree ofN m sg constr · עֵץ (H6086)Predicate nominative (construct head), complement of הוּאעֵץ (H6086); construct with מַאֲכָל.
מַאֲכָל֙foodN m sg abs · מַאֲכָל (H3978)Genitive complement of עֵץ (construct chain)מַאֲכָל (H3978) 'food'; 'tree of food' = fruit-bearing tree, the category protected in v.19.
ה֔וּאitindependent pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject of the nominal clause (copula)הוּא (H1931), 3ms independent pronoun functioning as copula, 'it is.'
אֹת֥וֹitobj marker + 3ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (fronted) + object of תַשְׁחִית/וְכָרָתָּאֵת (H853) with 3ms suffix, fronted for emphasis, 'it [and only it] you may destroy.'
תַשְׁחִ֖יתyou may destroyHiphil impf 2ms · שָׁחַת (H7843)Predicate verb (permissive main clause)→ Yiqtol (permissive): 'you may destroy'שָׁחַת (H7843); see v.19 — here permissively applied to non-fruit trees only.
וְכָרָ֑תָּand cut downconj וְ + Qal perf consec 2ms · כָּרַת (H3772)Predicate verb, weqatal continuing the permission→ Weqatal: sequential/permissiveכָּרַת (H3772); see v.19 — the same verb forbidden there for fruit trees is here permitted for others.
וּבָנִ֣יתָand you shall buildconj וְ + Qal perf consec 2ms · בָּנָה (H1129)Predicate verb, weqatal continuing the apodosis→ Weqatal: sequential/obligatoryבָּנָה (H1129); see v.5 — here of constructing siege-works rather than a house, an ironic echo of the chapter's opening exemption.
מָצ֗וֹרsiege-worksN m sg abs · מָצוֹר (H4692)Direct object of וּבָנִיתָמָצוֹר (H4692); see v.19 — the fortification/ramp built from the felled non-fruit timber.
עַלagainstprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase, goalעַל (H5921) 'against.'
הָעִיר֙the cityart + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Object of preposition עַלעִיר (H5892); see v.10.
אֲשֶׁרwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Introduces relative clause modifying הָעִיראֲשֶׁר (H834); see v.5.
הִ֨ואitindependent pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Subject of the relative clauseהִיא (H1931), 3fs pronoun referring to הָעִיר, subject of עֹשָׂה.
עֹשָׂ֧הis makingQal ptc f sg abs · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb of the relative clause (participial, durative)→ Participle: durative — the city's ongoing hostile actionעָשָׂה (H6213); see v.12 — participial here for durative aspect, 'is waging [war].'
עִמְּךָ֛with youprep עִם + 2ms suffix · עִם (H5973)Adverbial complement of עֹשָׂהעִם (H5973); see v.4 — adversative, 'against you.'
מִלְחָמָ֖הwarN f sg abs · מִלְחָמָה (H4421)Direct object (cognate-type) of עֹשָׂהמִלְחָמָה (H4421); see v.1 — closes the chapter with its opening key term.
עַ֥דuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phraseעַד (H5704) 'until'; marks the terminus of the siege operation.
רִדְתָּֽהּits fallingQal inf constr + 3fs suffix · יָרַד (H3381)Adverbial (temporal) infinitive clause, complement of עַד→ Infinitive construct: temporal terminus — 'until it falls/is subdued'יָרַד (H3381) 'go down, fall'; idiomatic of a city's fall/surrender under siege — the chapter's closing word, the successful conclusion of the campaign it opened in v.1.