Deuteronomy 20:1
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.
Original Language Analysis
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 21
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תֵצֵ֨א
When thou goest out
H3318
תֵצֵ֨א
When thou goest out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
2 of 21
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
לַמִּלְחָמָ֜ה
to battle
H4421
לַמִּלְחָמָ֜ה
to battle
Strong's:
H4421
Word #:
3 of 21
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
4 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְֽרָאִ֜יתָ
and seest
H7200
וְֽרָאִ֜יתָ
and seest
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
6 of 21
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
וָרֶ֙כֶב֙
and chariots
H7393
וָרֶ֙כֶב֙
and chariots
Strong's:
H7393
Word #:
8 of 21
a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e., the upper millstone
עַ֚ם
and a people
H5971
עַ֚ם
and a people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
9 of 21
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
מִמְּךָ֔
H4480
מִמְּךָ֔
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
11 of 21
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
12 of 21
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִירָ֖א
than thou be not afraid
H3372
תִירָ֖א
than thou be not afraid
Strong's:
H3372
Word #:
13 of 21
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
15 of 21
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יְהוָ֤ה
of them for the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֤ה
of them for the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
16 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
17 of 21
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
עִמָּ֔ךְ
H5973
עִמָּ֔ךְ
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
18 of 21
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
הַמַּֽעַלְךָ֖
is with thee which brought thee up
H5927
הַמַּֽעַלְךָ֖
is with thee which brought thee up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
19 of 21
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
Cross References
Deuteronomy 31:8And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.Psalms 20:7Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.Deuteronomy 31:6Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.Romans 8:31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?Isaiah 43:2When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.Isaiah 31:1Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!Joshua 1:5There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.Isaiah 7:14Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.Psalms 118:6The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?Joshua 1:9Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Historical Context
Israel lacked horses and chariots (expensive, requiring grasslands). Canaanites possessed both (Joshua 11:4; Judges 1:19; 4:3). Egypt's chariot corps was legendary. Yet God commanded not fearing superior forces. Gideon's 300 defeating Midianites (Judges 7), Jonathan's two-man assault succeeding (1 Samuel 14), and David's sling defeating Goliath exemplify this principle—God's presence trumps human strength. Later kings accumulated horses/chariots despite prohibition (Deuteronomy 17:16), trusting armaments over God. Prophets condemned this (Isaiah 31:1: 'Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots').
Questions for Reflection
- How does past deliverance (your 'exodus') provide confidence for present challenges?
- What modern 'horses and chariots' (technology, wealth, human resources) tempt us to trust instead of God?
- How do we balance responsible preparation (acquiring resources) with ultimate trust in divine provision?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
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.
Military inferiority ('horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou') should not create fear because 'the LORD thy God is with thee.' Divine presence matters more than military advantage. The reminder of exodus ('brought thee up out of Egypt') grounds confidence in past deliverance. God who conquered Egypt's superpower can defeat any enemy. The Hebrew yare (יָרֵא, fear/afraid) is forbidden because covenant relationship guarantees divine aid. This transforms warfare from human contest to divine action. Success depends not on military strength but covenant faithfulness and divine promise.