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

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

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

Berean Standard Bible
But if they refuse to make peace with you and wage war against you, lay siege to that city.

Berean Literal Bible
And if it does not make peace with you and makes war against you, then you shall lay siege against it.

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

New King James Version
Now if the city will not make peace with you, but war against you, then you shall besiege it.

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

NASB 1995
“However, if it does not make peace with you, but makes war against you, then you shall besiege it.

NASB 1977
“However, if it does not make peace with you, but makes war against you, then you shall besiege it.

Legacy Standard Bible
However, if it does not make peace with you, but makes war against you, then you shall besiege it.

Amplified Bible
However, if it does not make peace with you, but makes war against you, then you shall lay siege to it.

Berean Annotated Bible
But if they refuse to make peace with you and wage war against you, lay siege to that city.

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

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

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

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

Good News Translation
But if the people of that city will not surrender, but choose to fight, surround it with your army.

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

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

New Heart English Bible
If it will make no peace with you, but will make war against you, then you shall 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:
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
But if they refuse to make peace with you and wage war against you, lay siege to that city.

World English Bible
If it will make no peace with you, but will make war against you, then you shall besiege it.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And if it does not make peace with you, and has made war with you, then you have laid siege against it,

Berean Literal Bible
And if it does not make peace with you and makes war against you, then you shall lay siege against 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,

Smith's Literal Translation
And if it will not be at peace with thee, and it made war with thee, and thou besieged against it.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But if they will not make peace, and shall begin war against thee, thou shalt besiege it.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But if they are not willing to enter into an agreement, and they begin to act against you in warfare, then you shall besiege it.

New American Bible
But if it refuses to make peace with you and instead joins battle with you, lay siege to it,

New Revised Standard Version
If it does not submit to you peacefully, but makes war against you, then you shall besiege it;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But if it will not surrender to you, but will make war with you, then you shall besiege it;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And if it will not make peace with you and it will make war with you, besiege it:
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And if it will make no peace with thee, but will make war against thee, then thou shalt besiege it.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But if they will not hearken to thee, but wage war against thee, thou shalt invest it;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Laws of Warfare
11If they accept your offer of peace and open their gates, all the people there will become forced laborers to serve you. 12But if they refuse to make peace with you and wage war against you, lay siege to that city. 13When the LORD your God has delivered it into your hand, you must put every male to the sword.…

Cross References
But if they refuse to make peace with you

Joshua 11:19-20
No city made peace with the Israelites except the Hivites living in Gibeon; all others were taken in battle. / For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts to engage Israel in battle, so that they would be set apart for destruction and would receive no mercy, being annihilated as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Psalm 120:6-7
Too long have I dwelt among those who hate peace. / I am in favor of peace; but when I speak, they want war.

2 Kings 18:31-32
Do not listen to Hezekiah, for this is what the king of Assyria says: Make peace with me and come out to me. Then every one of you will eat from his own vine and his own fig tree and drink water from his own cistern, / until I come and take you away to a land like your own—a land of grain and new wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of olive trees and honey—so that you may live and not die. But do not listen to Hezekiah, for he misleads you when he says, ‘The LORD will deliver us.’
and wage war against you,

Joshua 10:1-4
Now Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem heard that Joshua had captured Ai and devoted it to destruction—doing to Ai and its king as he had done to Jericho and its king—and that the people of Gibeon had made peace with Israel and were living near them. / So Adoni-zedek and his people were greatly alarmed, because Gibeon was a great city, like one of the royal cities; it was larger than Ai, and all its men were mighty. / Therefore Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem sent word to Hoham king of Hebron, Piram king of Jarmuth, Japhia king of Lachish, and Debir king of Eglon, saying, …

1 Kings 20:18
“If they have marched out in peace,” he said, “take them alive. Even if they have marched out for war, take them alive.”

2 Samuel 10:6-7
When the Ammonites realized that they had become a stench to David, they hired twenty thousand Aramean foot soldiers from Beth-rehob and Zoba, as well as a thousand men from the king of Maacah and twelve thousand men from Tob. / On hearing this, David sent Joab and the entire army of mighty men.
lay siege to that city.

Ezekiel 4:2
Then lay siege against it: Construct a siege wall, build a ramp to it, set up camps against it, and place battering rams around it on all sides.

2 Kings 19:32
So this is what the LORD says about the king of Assyria: ‘He will not enter this city or shoot an arrow into it. He will not come before it with a shield or build up a siege ramp against it.

2 Kings 6:24-25
Some time later, Ben-hadad king of Aram assembled his entire army and marched up to besiege Samaria. / So there was a great famine in Samaria. Indeed, they besieged the city so long that a donkey’s head sold for eighty shekels of silver, and a quarter cab of dove’s dung sold for five shekels of silver.
1 Samuel 15:18
and sent you on a mission, saying, ‘Go and devote to destruction the sinful Amalekites. Fight against them until you have wiped them out.’

2 Kings 24:20
For because of the anger of the LORD, all this happened in Jerusalem and Judah, until He finally banished them from His presence. And Zedekiah also rebelled against the king of Babylon.

2 Chronicles 36:16-17
But they mocked the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against His people was stirred up beyond remedy. / So He brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans, who put their young men to the sword in the sanctuary, sparing neither young men nor young women, neither elderly nor infirm. God gave them all into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar,

Jeremiah 21:8-10
Furthermore, you are to tell this people that this is what the LORD says: ‘Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death. / Whoever stays in this city will die by sword and famine and plague, but whoever goes out and surrenders to the Chaldeans who besiege you will live; he will retain his life like a spoil of war. / For I have set My face against this city to bring disaster and not good, declares the LORD. It will be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon, who will destroy it with fire.’

Jeremiah 27:8
As for the nation or kingdom that does not serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and does not place its neck under his yoke, I will punish that nation by sword and famine and plague, declares the LORD, until I have destroyed it by his hand.

Jeremiah 34:17
Therefore this is what the LORD says: You have not obeyed Me; you have not proclaimed freedom, each man for his brother and for his neighbor. So now I proclaim freedom for you, declares the LORD—freedom to fall by sword, by plague, and by famine! I will make you a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth.

Ezekiel 17:15-21
But this king rebelled against Babylon by sending his envoys to Egypt to ask for horses and a large army. Will he flourish? Will the one who does such things escape? Can he break a covenant and yet escape?’ / ‘As surely as I live,’ declares the Lord GOD, ‘he will die in Babylon, in the land of the king who enthroned him, whose oath he despised and whose covenant he broke. / Pharaoh with his mighty army and vast horde will not help him in battle, when ramps are built and siege walls constructed to destroy many lives. …


Treasury of Scripture

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

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Deuteronomy 20
1. The priest's exhortation to encourage the people to battle
5. The officers' proclamation of who are to be dismissed from the war
10. How to use the cities that accept or refuse the proclamation of peace
16. What cities must be devoted
19. Trees must not be destroyed in the siege












But if they refuse to make peace with you
This phrase addresses the situation where a city or nation does not accept terms of peace offered by the Israelites. In the context of Deuteronomy, God is giving instructions to the Israelites on how to conduct warfare as they enter the Promised Land. The offer of peace reflects God's desire for reconciliation and order, even in times of conflict. This approach is consistent with the broader biblical theme of seeking peace before resorting to war (Psalm 34:14, Romans 12:18). Historically, this reflects the common ancient Near Eastern practice of offering terms before engaging in battle.

and wage war against you
Here, the text acknowledges the reality of conflict when peace is rejected. The Israelites are permitted to defend themselves and engage in warfare if necessary. This reflects the principle of just war, where defense is justified when attacked. Theologically, it underscores the idea that while God desires peace, He also provides for the protection and survival of His people. This can be seen in other biblical narratives where God supports Israel in battle when they are faithful to Him (Joshua 10:8-14).

lay siege to that city
The instruction to lay siege indicates a methodical approach to warfare, common in ancient times. A siege involved surrounding a city to cut off supplies and force surrender. This tactic is seen in other biblical accounts, such as the siege of Jericho (Joshua 6) and the siege of Jerusalem (2 Kings 25:1-3). Archaeological evidence from ancient cities like Lachish and Hazor shows the remnants of siege warfare, including siege ramps and battering rams. Spiritually, this can be seen as a type of spiritual warfare, where believers are called to stand firm against spiritual strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Israelites
The chosen people of God, who are being instructed on how to conduct warfare as they enter the Promised Land.

2. Canaanite Cities
The cities in the Promised Land that the Israelites are commanded to conquer. These cities often represent opposition to God's people and His plans.

3. Moses
The leader of the Israelites who is delivering God's laws and instructions to the people.

4. Promised Land
The land promised by God to Abraham and his descendants, which the Israelites are preparing to enter and possess.

5. Siege Warfare
A military strategy used in ancient times, involving surrounding a city to cut off supplies and force surrender.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Obedience
God's instructions to the Israelites were specific and required obedience. In our lives, we must seek to understand and follow God's will, even when it involves difficult decisions.

The Role of Peace
While the Israelites were instructed to offer peace first, the refusal of peace led to conflict. In our lives, we should strive for peace but be prepared for spiritual battles when peace is rejected.

Understanding Spiritual Warfare
The physical battles of the Old Testament often symbolize the spiritual battles we face today. We must be equipped with the armor of God to stand firm against spiritual opposition.

God's Sovereignty in Conflict
The Israelites' victories were assured when they followed God's commands. Trusting in God's sovereignty can give us confidence in facing our own challenges.

The Consequences of Rejection
The refusal of peace by the Canaanite cities led to their downfall. Similarly, rejecting God's offer of peace through Christ has eternal consequences.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 20:12?

2. How does Deuteronomy 20:12 guide us in handling conflict with non-believers?

3. What does Deuteronomy 20:12 reveal about God's justice and mercy in warfare?

4. How can we apply the principles of Deuteronomy 20:12 in spiritual battles today?

5. How does Deuteronomy 20:12 connect with Jesus' teachings on loving our enemies?

6. What lessons from Deuteronomy 20:12 can we implement in resolving personal disputes?

7. How does Deuteronomy 20:12 align with the concept of a loving God?

8. What historical context justifies the actions commanded in Deuteronomy 20:12?

9. How should modern Christians interpret the warfare instructions in Deuteronomy 20:12?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 20?

11. What does the Bible say about conscientious objection?

12. How can God's people be told to offer terms of peace in one situation but show no mercy in another (Deuteronomy 20:10-18)?

13. How do we reconcile the command in Exodus 23:9 to treat foreigners kindly with other Old Testament passages that demand harsh treatment of certain groups?

14. How can Psalm 144:1's portrayal of God training hands for war be reconciled with other biblical teachings on peace (e.g., Matthew 5:9)?
What Does Deuteronomy 20:12 Mean
But if they refuse to make peace with you

• Moses has just instructed Israel to “proclaim peace” to a besieged city (Deuteronomy 20:10-11). The verse now considers the scenario in which that offer is rejected.

• God’s law puts the burden on Israel to seek reconciliation first; hostility is never the initial posture. See the earlier pattern with Edom (Numbers 20:14-21) and the Gibeonites’ proactive treaty in Joshua 9:3-15.

• When a city “refuses,” it deliberately turns down God’s gracious provision for survival and coexistence, echoing Proverbs 29:1, which warns of the danger of repeatedly hardening one’s heart.


and wage war against you

• Refusal becomes active aggression. Israel is not attacking out of ambition but responding to a declared enemy (Psalm 120:7).

• Just defense is assumed throughout Scripture: Abraham rescued Lot from hostile kings (Genesis 14:14-16); the Lord empowered Gideon when Midian oppressed Israel (Judges 6:12-16).

• By tying military action to the enemy’s initiative, God limits Israel’s warfare to righteous causes, foreshadowing New Testament teaching that governments “bear the sword” to restrain evil (Romans 13:4).


lay siege to that city

• Siege warfare, though severe, is measured and orderly, contrasting with the pagan practice of indiscriminate slaughter (2 Kings 3:26-27).

• Israel is to surround, cut off supplies, and press for surrender rather than rush in blindly (see Deuteronomy 20:13-14). Even judgment allows time for reflection and repentance, paralleling God’s patience in 2 Peter 3:9.

• This action underscores the covenant promise that obedience brings victory (Deuteronomy 28:7) and that God Himself stands with His people in battle (1 Samuel 17:45-47).


summary

Deuteronomy 20:12 affirms a clear progression: offer peace, recognize hostile intent, then carry out measured warfare under God’s authority. The verse safeguards righteousness in conflict, demonstrating God’s justice and mercy even in judgment.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But if
וְאִם־ (wə·’im-)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

they refuse
לֹ֤א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

to make peace
תַשְׁלִים֙ (ṯaš·lîm)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7999: To be safe, to be, completed, to be friendly, to reciprocate

with you
עִמָּ֔ךְ (‘im·māḵ)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

and wage
וְעָשְׂתָ֥ה (wə·‘ā·śə·ṯāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

war
מִלְחָמָ֑ה (mil·ḥā·māh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4421: A battle, war

against you,
עִמְּךָ֖ (‘im·mə·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

lay siege
וְצַרְתָּ֖ (wə·ṣar·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6696: To confine, bind, besiege

to [that city].
עָלֶֽיהָּ׃‪‬‪‬ (‘ā·le·hā)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 20:12 If it will make no peace (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 20:11
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