Deuteronomy 20:1

Authorized King James Version

When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
כִּֽי
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#2
תֵצֵ֨א
H3318
When thou goest out
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#3
לַמִּלְחָמָ֜ה
H4421
to battle
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
#4
עַל
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#5
אֹֽיְבֶ֗ךָ
H341
against thine enemies
hating; an adversary
#6
וְֽרָאִ֜יתָ
H7200
and seest
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#7
ס֤וּס
H5483
horses
a horse (as leaping)
#8
וָרֶ֙כֶב֙
H7393
and chariots
a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e., the upper millstone
#9
עַ֚ם
H5971
and a people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#10
רַ֣ב
H7227
more
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
#11
מִמְּךָ֔
H4480
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#12
לֹ֥א
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#13
תִירָ֖א
H3372
than thou be not afraid
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
#14
מֵהֶ֑ם
H1992
they (only used when emphatic)
#15
כִּֽי
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#16
יְהוָ֤ה
H3068
of them for the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#17
אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙
H430
thy God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
#18
עִמָּ֔ךְ
H5973
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
#19
הַמַּֽעַלְךָ֖
H5927
is with thee which brought thee up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#20
מֵאֶ֥רֶץ
H776
out of the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#21
מִצְרָֽיִם׃
H4714
of Egypt
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Deuteronomy. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Deuteronomy Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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