Deuteronomy 20:14

Authorized King James Version

But the women, and the little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, even all the spoil thereof, shalt thou take unto thyself; and thou shalt eat the spoil of thine enemies, which the LORD thy God hath given thee.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
רַ֣ק
properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although
#2
הַ֠נָּשִׁים
But the women
a woman
#3
וְהַטַּ֨ף
and the little ones
a family (mostly used collectively in the singular)
#4
וְהַבְּהֵמָ֜ה
and the cattle
properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
#5
וְכֹל֩
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#6
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#7
יִֽהְיֶ֥ה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#8
בָעִ֛יר
and all that is in the city
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#9
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#10
שְׁלַ֣ל
even all the spoil
booty
#11
תָּבֹ֣ז
thereof shalt thou take
to plunder
#12
לָ֑ךְ
H0
#13
וְאָֽכַלְתָּ֙
unto thyself and thou shalt eat
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#14
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#15
שְׁלַ֣ל
even all the spoil
booty
#16
אֹֽיְבֶ֔יךָ
of thine enemies
hating; an adversary
#17
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#18
נָתַ֛ן
hath given
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#19
יְהוָ֥ה
which the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#20
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ
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
#21
לָֽךְ׃
H0

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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