Deuteronomy 20:3
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.
2 When you are about to go into battle, the priest is to come forward and address the army,
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.”
5 Furthermore, the officers are to address the army, saying, “Has any man built a new house and not dedicated it? Let him return home, or he may die in battle and another man dedicate it.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- 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.
- KJV
- And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them;
- WEB
- and shall tell them, “Hear, Israel, you draw near today to battle against your enemies. Don’t let your heart faint! Don’t be afraid, nor tremble, neither be scared of them;
- ASV
- and shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye draw nigh this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint; fear not, nor tremble, neither be ye affrighted at them;
- DARBY
- and shall say unto them, Hear, Israel, ye are approaching this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be afraid of them;
- BLB
- and he shall say to them, “Hear, O Israel, you⁺ are drawing near today to battle against your⁺ enemies. Do not let your⁺ hearts be faint, do not be afraid, and do not tremble, and do not be terrified at their presence.
- ÅB
- Og han skal si til dem: Hør, Israel! Dere er idag i ferd med å gå i strid mot deres fiender. La ikke motet falle; frykt ikke, forferdes ikke og reddes ikke for dem!
- OTB
- Han skal si: “Hør, Israel, i dag går dere i kamp mot deres fiender. Vær ikke motløse eller redde; bli ikke grepet av panikk eller skrekk for dem.
- B1930
- Og han skal si til dem: Hør, Israel! I er idag i ferd med å gå i strid mot eders fiender. La ikke motet falle; frykt ikke, forferdes ikke og reddes ikke for dem!
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Hebrews 13:6
So we say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
Read in contextPsalms 3:6
I will not fear the myriads set against me on every side.
Read in contextRevelation 2:10
Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will suffer tribulation for ten days. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Read in contextJoshua 23:10
One of you can put a thousand to flight, because the LORD your God fights for you, just as He promised.
Read in contextPsalms 27:1–3
The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— whom shall I dread?
Read in contextIsaiah 8:12–13
“Do not call conspiracy everything these people regard as conspiracy. Do not fear what they fear; do not live in dread.
Read in contextHebrews 12:12–13
Therefore strengthen your limp hands and weak knees.
Read in contextEphesians 6:11–18
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes.
Read in context