Deuteronomy 20:12
◄  Deuteronomy 20:12  ►
New International Version (©2011)
If they refuse to make peace and they engage you in battle, lay siege to that city.

New Living Translation (©2007)
But if they refuse to make peace and prepare to fight, you must attack the town.

English Standard Version (©2001)
But if it makes no peace with you, but makes war against you, then you shall besiege it.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
"However, if it does not make peace with you, but makes war against you, then you shall besiege it.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
And if it will make no peace with thee, but will make war against thee, then thou shalt besiege it:

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
However, if it does not make peace with you but wages war against you, lay siege to it.

International Standard Version (©2012)
But if they refuse to make peace with you and instead choose war, then attack it.

NET Bible (©2006)
If it does not accept terms of peace but makes war with you, then you are to lay siege to it.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
If they won't accept your offer of peace but declare war on you, set up a blockade around the city.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
And if it will make no peace with you, but will make war against you, then you shall besiege it:

American King James Version
And if it will make no peace with you, but will make war against you, then you shall besiege it:

American Standard Version
And if it will make no peace with thee, but will make war against thee, then thou shalt besiege it:

Douay-Rheims Bible
But if they will not make peace, and shall begin war against thee, thou shalt besiege it.

Darby Bible Translation
And if it will not make peace with thee, but will make war with thee, then thou shalt besiege it;

English Revised Version
And if it will make no peace with thee, but will make war against thee, then thou shalt besiege it:

Webster's Bible Translation
And if it will make no peace with thee, but will make war against thee, then thou shalt besiege it:

World English Bible
If it will make no peace with you, but will make war against you, then you shall besiege it:

Young's Literal Translation
'And if it doth not make peace with thee, and hath made with thee war, then thou hast laid siege against it,

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

20:10-12 The Israelites are here directed about the nations on whom they made war. Let this show God's grace in dealing with sinners. He proclaims peace, and beseeches them to be reconciled. Let it also show us our duty in dealing with our brethren. Whoever are for war, we must be for peace. Of the cities given to Israel, none of their inhabitants must be left. Since it could not be expected that they should be cured of their idolatry, they would hurt Israel. These regulations are not the rules of our conduct, but Christ's law of love. The horrors of war must fill the feeling heart with anguish upon every recollection; and are proofs of the wickedness of man, the power of Satan, and the just vengeance of God, who thus scourges a guilty world. But how dreadful their case who are engaged in unequal conflict with their Maker, who will not submit to render him the easy tribute of worship and praise! Certain ruin awaits them. Let neither the number nor the power of the enemies of our souls dismay us; nor let even our own weakness cause us to tremble or to faint. The Lord will save us; but in this war let none engage whose hearts are fond of the world, or afraid of the cross and the conflict. Care is here taken that in besieging cities the fruit-trees should not be destroyed. God is a better friend to man than he is to himself; and God's law consults our interests and comforts; while our own appetites and passions, which we indulge, are enemies to our welfare. Many of the Divine precepts restrain us from destroying that which is for our life and food. The Jews understand this as forbidding all wilful waste upon any account whatsoever. Every creature of God is good; as nothing is to be refused, so nothing is to be abused. We may live to want what we carelessly waste.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And if it will make no peace with thee,.... Will not accept of terms of peace offered:

but will make war against thee; come out and fight, or prepare to defend themselves: then thou shall besiege it; surround and block it up on all sides with their forces; the Jews say only on three sides, leaving one for any to flee and make their escape if they thought fit; See Gill on Numbers 31:7.

Deuteronomy 20:12 Parallel Commentaries

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Laws of Warfare
…11And it shall be, if it make you answer of peace, and open to you, then it shall be, that all the people that is found therein shall be tributaries to you, and they shall serve you. 12And if it will make no peace with you, but will make war against you, then you shall besiege it: 13And when the LORD your God has delivered it into your hands, you shall smite every male thereof with the edge of the sword: …

Deuteronomy 20:11 If they accept and open their gates, all the people in it shall be subject to forced labor and shall work for you.
Deuteronomy 20:13 When the LORD your God delivers it into your hand, put to the sword all the men in it.