Bible Strands
Deuteronomy 20:5
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Officers address the assembled army before battle to announce a specific exemption from service.
The words — The text uses הַשֹּׁטְרִים (ha.sho.te.Rim) for "the officials," who are commanded to speak (דִבְּרוּ, di.be.Ru) to the people (הָעָם, ha.'Am) regarding who has built a new house.
The thread — Military officers appear in Numbers 31:14 and Numbers 31:48, while the act of dedication is noted in Nehemiah 12:27.
Why it lands — The text commands a man who has built a new house but not yet dedicated it to return home, warning that he may die in battle so another man may dedicate it.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Nehemiah 12:27 At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the Levites were sought out from all their homes and brought to Jerusalem to celebrate the joyous dedication with thanksgiving and singing, accompanied by cymbals, harps, and lyres.
- Numbers 31:14 But Moses was angry with the officers of the army—the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds—who were returning from the battle.
- Numbers 31:48 Then the officers who were over the units of the army—the commanders of thousands and of hundreds—approached Moses
- Deuteronomy 1:15 So I took the leaders of your tribes, wise and respected men, and appointed them as leaders over you—as commanders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens, and as officers for your tribes.
- Deuteronomy 16:18 You are to appoint judges and officials for your tribes in every town that the LORD your God is giving you. They are to judge the people with righteous judgment.
- 1 Samuel 17:18 Take also these ten portions of cheese to the commander of their unit. Check on the welfare of your brothers and bring back an assurance from them.
- Psalms 30:1 A Psalm. A song for the dedication of the temple. Of David. I will exalt You, O LORD, for You have lifted me up and have not allowed my foes to rejoice over me.