Deuteronomy 20:15
New International Version
This is how you are to treat all the cities that are at a distance from you and do not belong to the nations nearby.

New Living Translation
“But these instructions apply only to distant towns, not to the towns of the nations in the land you will enter.

English Standard Version
Thus you shall do to all the cities that are very far from you, which are not cities of the nations here.

Berean Standard Bible
This is how you are to treat all the cities that are far away from you and do not belong to the nations nearby.

Berean Literal Bible
Thus you shall do to all the cities very far from you, which are not from the cities of these nations.

King James Bible
Thus shalt thou do unto all the cities which are very far off from thee, which are not of the cities of these nations.

New King James Version
Thus you shall do to all the cities which are very far from you, which are not of the cities of these nations.

New American Standard Bible
This is what you shall do to all the cities that are very far from you, which are not of the cities of these nations nearby.

NASB 1995
“Thus you shall do to all the cities that are very far from you, which are not of the cities of these nations nearby.

NASB 1977
“Thus you shall do to all the cities that are very far from you, which are not of the cities of these nations nearby.

Legacy Standard Bible
Thus you shall do to all the cities that are very far from you, which are not of the cities of these nations nearby.

Amplified Bible
That is what you shall do to all the cities that are very far away from you, which are not among the cities of these nations nearby [which you are to dispossess].

Berean Annotated Bible
This is how you are to treat all the cities that are far away from you and do not belong to the nations nearby (nations).

Christian Standard Bible
This is how you are to treat all the cities that are far away from you and are not among the cities of these nations.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
This is how you are to treat all the cities that are far away from you and are not among the cities of these nations.

American Standard Version
Thus shalt thou do unto all the cities which are very far off from thee, which are not of the cities of these nations.

English Revised Version
Thus shalt thou do unto all the cities which are very far off from thee, which are not of the cities of these nations.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
This is what you must do to all the cities that are far away which don't belong to the nations nearby.

Good News Translation
That is how you are to deal with those cities that are far away from the land you will settle in.

International Standard Version
Do this to all the cities that are distant from you—that is, to those cities that are not in neighboring nations."

NET Bible
This is how you are to deal with all those cities located far from you, those that do not belong to these nearby nations.

New Heart English Bible
Thus you shall do to all the cities which are very far off from you, which are not of the cities of these nations.

Webster's Bible Translation
Thus shalt thou do to all the cities which are very distant from thee, which are not of the cities of these nations.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
This is how you are to treat all the cities that are far away from you and do not belong to the nations nearby.

World English Bible
Thus you shall do to all the cities which are very far off from you, which are not of the cities of these nations.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
So you do to all the cities which are very far off from you, which are not of the cities of these nations.

Berean Literal Bible
Thus you shall do to all the cities very far from you, which are not from the cities of these nations.

Young's Literal Translation
So thou dost do to all the cities which are very far off from thee, which are not of the cities of these nations.

Smith's Literal Translation
Thus shalt thou do to all the cities greatly far off from thee which are not of the cities of these nations.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
So shalt thou do to all cities that are at a great distance from thee, and are not of these cities which thou shalt receive in possession.

Catholic Public Domain Version
So shall you do to all the cities which are at a great distance from you, those which are not among the cities that you shall receive as a possession.

New American Bible
That is how you shall deal with any city at a considerable distance from you, which does not belong to these nations here.

New Revised Standard Version
Thus you shall treat all the towns that are very far from you, which are not towns of the nations here.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Thus shall you do to all the cities which are very far off from you, which are not of the cities of these nations.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
So do to all the towns that are very distant from you that were not from towns of these nations.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Thus shalt thou do unto all the cities which are very far off from thee, which are not of the cities of these nations.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Thus shalt thou do to all the cities that are very far off from thee, not being of the cities of these nations which the Lord thy God gives thee to inherit their land.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Laws of Warfare
14But the women, children, livestock, and whatever else is in the city—all its spoil—you may take as plunder, and you shall use the spoil of your enemies that the LORD your God gives you. 15This is how you are to treat all the cities that are far away from you and do not belong to the nations nearby. 16However, in the cities of the nations that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, you must not leave alive anything that breathes.…

Cross References
This is how you are to treat

Deuteronomy 13:15
you must surely put the inhabitants of that city to the sword. Devote to destruction all its people and livestock.

Joshua 6:21
With the edge of the sword they devoted to destruction everything in the city—man and woman, young and old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys.

Joshua 11:11-12
The Israelites put everyone in Hazor to the sword, devoting them to destruction. Nothing that breathed remained, and Joshua burned down Hazor itself. / Joshua captured all these kings and their cities and put them to the sword. He devoted them to destruction, as Moses the LORD’s servant had commanded.
all the cities that are far away from you

Joshua 9:6
They went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and said to him and the men of Israel, “We have come from a distant land; please make a treaty with us.”

Joshua 9:9
“Your servants have come from a very distant land,” they replied, “because of the fame of the LORD your God. For we have heard the reports about Him: all that He did in Egypt,

1 Kings 8:41
And as for the foreigner who is not of Your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of Your name—
and do not belong to the nations nearby.

Exodus 23:31-33
And I will establish your borders from the Red Sea to the Sea of the Philistines, and from the desert to the Euphrates. For I will deliver the inhabitants into your hand, and you will drive them out before you. / You shall make no covenant with them or with their gods. / They must not remain in your land, lest they cause you to sin against Me. For if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you.”

Deuteronomy 7:1-2
When the LORD your God brings you into the land that you are entering to possess, and He drives out before you many nations—the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, seven nations larger and stronger than you— / and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you to defeat them, then you must devote them to complete destruction. Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy.

Numbers 33:55-56
But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land before you, those you allow to remain will become barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides; they will harass you in the land where you settle. / And then I will do to you what I had planned to do to them.”
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.

1 Kings 9:20-21
As for all the people who remained of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites (the people who were not Israelites)— / their descendants who remained in the land, those whom the Israelites were unable to devote to destruction—Solomon conscripted these people to be forced laborers, as they are to this day.

2 Chronicles 8:7-8
As for all the people who remained of the Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites (these people were not Israelites)— / their descendants who remained in the land, those whom the Israelites had not destroyed—Solomon conscripted these people to be forced laborers, as they are to this day.

Numbers 31:7-12
Then they waged war against Midian, as the LORD had commanded Moses, and they killed every male. / Among the slain were Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba—the five kings of Midian. They also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword. / The Israelites captured the Midianite women and their children, and they plundered all their herds, flocks, and goods. …

Joshua 9:3-15
But the people of Gibeon, having heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, / acted deceptively and set out as envoys, carrying on their donkeys worn-out sacks and old wineskins, cracked and mended. / They put worn, patched sandals on their feet and threadbare clothing on their bodies, and their whole supply of bread was dry and moldy. …

Judges 1:27-33
At that time Manasseh failed to drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shean, Taanach, Dor, Ibleam, Megiddo, and their villages; for the Canaanites were determined to dwell in that land. / When Israel became stronger, they pressed the Canaanites into forced labor, but they never drove them out completely. / Ephraim also failed to drive out the Canaanites living in Gezer; so the Canaanites continued to dwell among them in Gezer. …

1 Samuel 15:3
Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.’”


Treasury of Scripture

Thus shall you do to all the cities which are very far off from you, which are not of the cities of these nations.

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Belong Cities Distance Distant Nations Nearby Towns Treat
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Belong Cities Distance Distant Nations Nearby Towns Treat
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












This is how you are to treat
This phrase introduces a specific set of instructions given by God to the Israelites through Moses. It reflects the divine command for how Israel was to conduct warfare, emphasizing obedience to God's directives. The context is the broader set of laws given in Deuteronomy, which outlines how Israel is to live as a holy nation set apart for God.

all the cities that are far away from you
The cities referred to here are those outside the immediate land of Canaan, which God had promised to the Israelites. These cities are distinguished from those within the Promised Land, which were subject to different rules of engagement. This distinction underscores the unique covenant relationship between God and Israel concerning the land of Canaan. Historically, this reflects the ancient Near Eastern practice of differentiating between local and distant enemies.

and do not belong to the nations nearby.
The nations nearby refer to the Canaanite tribes that inhabited the land God promised to Israel. These nations were subject to complete destruction due to their idolatry and moral corruption, as seen in other parts of Deuteronomy and the book of Joshua. This phrase highlights the separation between Israel and the surrounding pagan cultures, emphasizing the need for Israel to remain pure and devoted to God. Theologically, it points to the concept of holiness and the call for God's people to be distinct from the world, a theme echoed in the New Testament in passages like 1 Peter 1:16.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The author of Deuteronomy, delivering God's laws and instructions to the Israelites.

2. Israelites
The chosen people of God, receiving instructions on how to conduct warfare.

3. Cities Far Away
Refers to cities outside the immediate vicinity of the Promised Land, indicating a different approach in warfare.

4. Nations Nearby
The Canaanite nations within the Promised Land, which were to be treated differently according to God's command.

5. Promised Land
The land promised by God to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, which the Israelites were to inhabit.
Teaching Points
Understanding God's Justice
God's instructions for warfare reflect His justice and sovereignty. The distinction between nearby and distant cities underscores His specific plan for the Promised Land.

Obedience to God's Commands
The Israelites were called to obey God's commands precisely. This obedience was crucial for maintaining purity and avoiding the influence of idolatry.

Spiritual Warfare
Believers today can draw parallels to spiritual warfare, understanding the importance of discerning and following God's guidance in battling sin and temptation.

Cultural Context and Application
While the specific commands were for a particular time and people, the principles of seeking God's will and maintaining spiritual purity remain relevant.

God's Sovereignty and Plan
Recognizing that God's plans are perfect, even when they involve difficult commands, encourages trust in His overarching purpose for His people.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 20:15?

2. How does Deuteronomy 20:15 guide us in understanding God's justice in warfare?

3. What principles from Deuteronomy 20:15 apply to modern Christian ethical decision-making?

4. How does Deuteronomy 20:15 connect with Jesus' teachings on loving enemies?

5. In what ways can Deuteronomy 20:15 inform our prayers for global peace today?

6. How does Deuteronomy 20:15 reflect God's sovereignty over nations and their destinies?

7. How does Deuteronomy 20:15 align with the concept of a loving God?

8. Why does Deuteronomy 20:15 permit warfare against distant cities?

9. What historical context justifies the command in Deuteronomy 20:15?

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

11. 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)?

12. How does sparing the Gibeonites (Joshua 9:15) align with instructions to destroy all Canaanite inhabitants (Deuteronomy 20:16-17)?

13. How does the absolute obedience in Joshua 11:12-15 align with prior instructions about sparing certain peoples?

14. Did God command killings in the Old Testament?
What Does Deuteronomy 20:15 Mean
This is how you are to treat

God is giving Israel explicit battle procedures (Deuteronomy 20:10-14).

• Before any assault on a distant city, Israel must first “proclaim peace to it” (v. 10), echoing the earlier promise to be a blessing among the nations (Genesis 12:3).

• If peace is accepted, the people become Israel’s servants (v. 11), a merciful alternative to total destruction.

• If peace is refused, Israel may lay siege, trusting the LORD who fights for them (Joshua 10:42).

• The directive is not optional; obedience is worship (1 Samuel 15:22-23).


all the cities

The command applies to every fortified center outside Canaan’s borders, not just a select few.

• The plural “cities” parallels Deuteronomy 2:34 and 3:4, where every town in Og’s and Sihon’s kingdoms was taken—showing thorough, consistent obedience.

• By treating “all the cities” uniformly, Israel avoids favoritism and self-chosen alliances (Exodus 23:32-33).

• Total coverage ensures that God alone directs Israel’s foreign relations (Psalm 20:7).


that are far away from you

Distance marks the difference. These places lie beyond the inheritance lines defined in Numbers 34:1-12.

• Far-off cities represent peoples Israel will encounter during expansion or trade (1 Kings 10:24-25).

• Because they do not occupy the land promised to Abraham (Genesis 15:18-21), they are offered leniency rather than the ban of destruction.

• The clause safeguards Israel from needless aggression against immediate neighbors (Proverbs 3:29-30).


and do not belong to the nations nearby

The “nations nearby” are the seven Canaanite groups listed earlier (Deuteronomy 7:1-2; 20:16-18).

• Those nations practiced idolatry so corrupt that God ordered their total removal to protect Israel’s holiness (Leviticus 18:24-25).

• By contrast, distant nations could live under Israelite authority, learning Israel’s laws (Isaiah 2:3).

• This dual policy—destruction inside Canaan, subjugation outside—highlights God’s redemptive plan: preserve a pure covenant people who can bless the Gentiles (Zechariah 8:23; Acts 15:14-18).


summary

Deuteronomy 20:15 sets a clear wartime boundary: cities outside the promised land are to receive an offer of peace and, if conquered, be spared the complete destruction commanded for the idolatrous Canaanite nations. The verse underscores God’s holiness, Israel’s missionary calling, and the necessity of precise obedience to divine instruction.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
This is how
כֵּ֤ן (kên)
Adverb
Strong's 3651: So -- thus

you are to treat
תַּעֲשֶׂה֙ (ta·‘ă·śeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

all
לְכָל־ (lə·ḵāl)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the cities
הֶ֣עָרִ֔ים (he·‘ā·rîm)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 5892: Excitement

that are far away
הָרְחֹקֹ֥ת (hā·rə·ḥō·qōṯ)
Article | Adjective - feminine plural
Strong's 7350: Remote, of place, time, precious

from you
מִמְּךָ֖ (mim·mə·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

and do not
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

belong to the
הָאֵ֖לֶּה (hā·’êl·leh)
Article | Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

nations nearby.
הַגּֽוֹיִם־ (hag·gō·w·yim-)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 20:15 Thus you shall do to all (Deut. De Du)
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