Bible Compass
Log inGet started
Back to the chapter

Deuteronomy 20:19

Creation

17 But thou shalt utterly destroy them; namely, the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee:

18 That they teach you not to do after all their abominations, which they have done unto their gods; so should ye sin against the LORD your God.

When thou shalt besiege a city a long time, in making war against it to take it, thou shalt not destroy the trees thereof by forcing an axe against them: for thou mayest eat of them, and thou shalt not cut them down (for the tree of the field is man’s life) to employ them in the siege:

20 Only the trees which thou knowest that they be not trees for meat, thou shalt destroy and cut them down; and thou shalt build bulwarks against the city that maketh war with thee, until it be subdued.

Read the whole chapter

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
When you lay siege to a city for an extended time while fighting against it to capture it, you must not destroy its trees by putting an axe to them, because you can eat their fruit. You must not cut them down. Are the trees of the field human, that you should besiege them?
KJV
When thou shalt besiege a city a long time, in making war against it to take it, thou shalt not destroy the trees thereof by forcing an axe against them: for thou mayest eat of them, and thou shalt not cut them down (for the tree of the field is man’s life) to employ them in the siege:
WEB
When you shall besiege a city a long time, in making war against it to take it, you shall not destroy its trees by wielding an ax against them; for you may eat of them. You shall not cut them down, for is the tree of the field man, that it should be besieged by you?
ASV
When thou shalt besiege a city a long time, in making war against it to take it, thou shalt not destroy the trees thereof by wielding an axe against them; for thou mayest eat of them, and thou shalt not cut them down; for is the tree of the field man, that it should be besieged of thee?
DARBY
When thou shalt besiege a city many days, in making war against it to take it, thou shalt not destroy the trees thereof by lifting up an axe against them; for thou canst eat of them; and thou shalt not cut them down, for is the tree of the field a man that it should be besieged?
BLB
When you lay siege to a city many days while making war against it to capture it, you shall not destroy its trees by wielding an ax against them. And if you can eat of them, then do not cut them down, for [is] the tree of the field a man, coming from your face to besiege?
ÅB
Når du holder en by kringsatt i lang tid og strider mot den for å innta den, så skal du ikke ødelegge dens trær ved å skadehugge dem med øksen; du kan spise av dem, men du skal ikke hugge dem ned; trærne på marken er da ikke mennesker, så du skulle stride mot dem og?
OTB
Når du beleirer en by i lang tid, kjemper mot den for å innta den, skal du ikke ødelegge trærne ved å sette øksen til dem, for du kan spise av deres frukt. Ikke hugg dem ned. Er trærne på marken mennesker, så du skal beleire dem?
B1930
Når du holder en by kringsatt i lang tid og strider mot den for å innta den, så skal du ikke ødelegge dens trær ved å skadehugge dem med øksen; du kan ete av dem, men du skal ikke hugge dem ned; trærne på marken er da ikke mennesker, så du skulde stride mot dem og?

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Matthew 3:10

    And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

    Read in context

  • Matthew 21:19

    And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.

    Read in context

  • Deuteronomy 26:6

    And the Egyptians evil entreated us, and afflicted us, and laid upon us hard bondage:

    Read in context

  • John 15:2–8

    Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

    Read in context

  • Luke 13:7–9

    Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?

    Read in context

  • Matthew 7:15–20

    Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

    Read in context