Bible Strands
Deuteronomy 23:9
When you are encamped against your enemies, then you shall keep yourself from every wicked thing.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Moses addresses the Israelite assembly as they prepare for military campaigns against hostile nations. The directive is issued during the final covenant renewal before crossing the Jordan.
The words — The Hebrew verb תֵצֵא (teTze) literally means "you will go out," marking the transition into a military encampment. The phrase מִכֹּל דָּבָר (miKol davar) translates directly to "from every thing."
The thread — This command runs parallel to Joshua 6:18, which prohibits taking devoted items, and Joshua 7:11, which identifies covenant violation as the cause of military defeat.
Why it lands — The text commands immediate physical and ritual separation while stationed for war. It requires compliance with purity standards before any theological assessment of the camp's purpose is applied.
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
When the host goeth forth against thine enemies, then keep thee from every wicked thing.
Cross-references
- Joshua 6:18 But keep away from the things devoted to destruction, lest you yourself be set apart for destruction. If you take any of these, you will set apart the camp of Israel for destruction and bring disaster upon it.
- Revelation 19:11 Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war.
- Joshua 7:11 Israel has sinned; they have transgressed My covenant that I commanded them, and they have taken some of what was devoted to destruction. Indeed, they have stolen and lied, and they have put these things with their own possessions.
- Judges 20:26 Then the Israelites, all the people, went up to Bethel, where they sat weeping before the LORD. That day they fasted until evening and presented burnt offerings and peace offerings to the LORD.
- 2 Chronicles 19:4 Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, and once again he went out among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and turned them back to the LORD, the God of their fathers.
- 2 Chronicles 20:3 Jehoshaphat was alarmed and set his face to seek the LORD. And he proclaimed a fast throughout Judah.
- 2 Chronicles 31:20 So this is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah. He did what was good and upright and true before the LORD his God.
- Luke 3:14 Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” “Do not take money by force or false accusation,” he said. “Be content with your wages.”