Deuteronomy 20:7
5 And the officers shall speak unto the people, saying, What man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it.
6 And what man is he that hath planted a vineyard, and hath not yet eaten of it? let him also go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man eat of it.
And what man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? let him go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her.
8 And the officers shall speak further unto the people, and they shall say, What man is there that is fearful and fainthearted? let him go and return unto his house, lest his brethren’s heart faint as well as his heart.
9 And it shall be, when the officers have made an end of speaking unto the people, that they shall make captains of the armies to lead the people.
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
- Has any man become pledged to a woman and not married her? Let him return home, or he may die in battle and another man marry her.”
- KJV
- And what man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? let him go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her.
- WEB
- What man is there who has pledged to be married to a wife, and has not taken her? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her.”
- ASV
- And what man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? let him go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her.
- DARBY
- And what man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? let him go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her.
- BLB
- And who [is] the man who is betrothed to a woman and has not married her? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man marry her.”
- ÅB
- Og er her noen mann som har lovet seg i ekteskap til en kvinne, men enda ikke har tatt henne til ekte, så kan han gå og vende tilbake til sitt hus, for at han ikke skal dø i striden og en annen ekte henne.
- OTB
- Er det noen som er forlovet med en kvinne og ennå ikke har giftet seg med henne? La ham vende tilbake til sitt hus, så han ikke dør i striden og en annen gifter seg med henne.”
- B1930
- Og er her nogen mann som har trolovet sig med en kvinne, men ennu ikke har tatt henne til ekte, så kan han gå og vende tilbake til sitt hus, forat han ikke skal dø i striden og en annen ekte henne.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Deuteronomy 24:5
When a man hath taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war, neither shall he be charged with any business: but he shall be free at home one year, and shall cheer up his wife which he hath taken.
Read in contextDeuteronomy 28:30
Thou shalt betroth a wife, and another man shall lie with her: thou shalt build an house, and thou shalt not dwell therein: thou shalt plant a vineyard, and shalt not gather the grapes thereof.
Read in context2 Timothy 2:4
No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
Read in contextDeuteronomy 22:23–25
If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed unto an husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her;
Read in contextMatthew 1:18
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Read in contextLuke 14:18–20
And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.
Read in context