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Deuteronomy 20:2

Courage and strength

1 When 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.

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

3 saying 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.

4 For the LORD your God goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.”

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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 are about to go into battle, the priest is to come forward and address the army,
KJV
And it shall be, when ye are come nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people,
WEB
It shall be, when you draw near to the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak to the people,
ASV
And it shall be, when ye draw nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people,
DARBY
And it shall be, when ye approach unto the battle, that the priest shall draw near and speak unto the people,
BLB
And it shall come to pass, in your⁺ drawing near to the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak to the people,
ÅB
Og når dere er i ferd med å gå i striden, da skal presten trede fram og tale til folket.
OTB
Når dere er i ferd med å gå til kamp, skal presten tre fram og tale til folket.
B1930
Og når I er i ferd med å gå i striden, da skal presten trede frem og tale til folket.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 2 Chronicles 13:12

    Now behold, God Himself is with us as our head, and His priests with their trumpets sound the battle call against you. O children of Israel, do not fight against the LORD, the God of your fathers, for you will not succeed.”

    Read in context

  • Numbers 31:6

    And Moses sent the thousand from each tribe into battle, along with Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest, who took with him the vessels of the sanctuary and the trumpets for signaling.

    Read in context

  • Numbers 10:8–9

    The sons of Aaron, the priests, are to sound the trumpets. This shall be a permanent statute for you and the generations to come.

    Read in context

  • 1 Samuel 14:18

    Then Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God.” (For at that time it was with the Israelites.)

    Read in context

  • Judges 20:27–28

    And the Israelites inquired of the LORD. (In those days the ark of the covenant of God was there,

    Read in context

  • 1 Samuel 30:7–8

    Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, “Bring me the ephod.” So Abiathar brought it to him,

    Read in context