Deuteronomy 20:19
When thou shalt besiege a city a long time, in making war against it to take it, thou shalt not destroy the trees thereof by forcing an axe against them: for thou mayest eat of them, and thou shalt not cut them down (for the tree of the field is man's life) to employ them in the siege:
Original Language Analysis
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 29
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תָצ֣וּר
When thou shalt besiege
H6696
תָצ֣וּר
When thou shalt besiege
Strong's:
H6696
Word #:
2 of 29
to cramp, i.e., confine (in many applications, literally and figuratively, formative or hostile)
עִיר֩
a city
H5892
עִיר֩
a city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
4 of 29
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
יָמִ֨ים
time
H3117
יָמִ֨ים
time
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
5 of 29
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
רַבִּ֜ים
a long
H7227
רַבִּ֜ים
a long
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
6 of 29
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
עָלֶ֣יהָ
H5921
עָלֶ֣יהָ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 29
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
לְתָפְשָׂ֗הּ
against it to take
H8610
לְתָפְשָׂ֗הּ
against it to take
Strong's:
H8610
Word #:
9 of 29
to manipulate, i.e., seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
10 of 29
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תַשְׁחִ֤ית
it thou shalt not destroy
H7843
תַשְׁחִ֤ית
it thou shalt not destroy
Strong's:
H7843
Word #:
11 of 29
to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 29
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עֵ֣ץ
for the tree
H6086
עֵ֣ץ
for the tree
Strong's:
H6086
Word #:
13 of 29
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
לִנְדֹּ֤חַ
thereof by forcing
H5080
לִנְדֹּ֤חַ
thereof by forcing
Strong's:
H5080
Word #:
14 of 29
to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to expel, mislead, strike, inflict, etc.)
עָלָיו֙
H5921
עָלָיו֙
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
15 of 29
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כִּ֚י
H3588
כִּ֚י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
17 of 29
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מִמֶּ֣נּוּ
H4480
מִמֶּ֣נּוּ
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
18 of 29
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
תֹאכֵ֔ל
against them for thou mayest eat
H398
תֹאכֵ֔ל
against them for thou mayest eat
Strong's:
H398
Word #:
19 of 29
to eat (literally or figuratively)
וְאֹת֖וֹ
H853
וְאֹת֖וֹ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
20 of 29
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
21 of 29
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִכְרֹ֑ת
of them and thou shalt not cut them down
H3772
תִכְרֹ֑ת
of them and thou shalt not cut them down
Strong's:
H3772
Word #:
22 of 29
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
23 of 29
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הָֽאָדָם֙
is man's
H120
הָֽאָדָם֙
is man's
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
24 of 29
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
עֵ֣ץ
for the tree
H6086
עֵ֣ץ
for the tree
Strong's:
H6086
Word #:
25 of 29
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
לָבֹ֥א
life to employ
H935
לָבֹ֥א
life to employ
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
27 of 29
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Cross References
Deuteronomy 26:6And the Egyptians evil entreated us, and afflicted us, and laid upon us hard bondage:Matthew 3:10And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.Matthew 21:19And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.
Historical Context
Ancient warfare commonly destroyed agricultural resources (Judges 9:45—Abimelech sowed Shechem with salt). God's prohibition distinguished Israel morally—showing concern for future generations' sustenance and creation's intrinsic value beyond human utility.
Questions for Reflection
- How does warfare's tree-preservation law challenge Christian approaches to creation care and environmental stewardship?
- What modern 'scorched-earth' practices (exploiting resources without replenishing, environmental degradation) violate this principle?
- How does viewing creation as groaning for redemption (Romans 8:19) motivate responsible dominion rather than destructive exploitation?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
When thou shalt besiege a city a long time, in making war against it to take it, thou shalt not destroy the trees thereof by forcing an axe against them—Even in warfare, God requires environmental stewardship. Fruit trees provide food (מַאֲכָל, ma'akal) and shouldn't be destroyed militarily. The prohibition against forcing an axe (נִדַּחְתָּ עֲלֵיהֶם גַּרְזֶן, nidachta alehem garzen, 'wielding an axe against them') forbids scorched-earth tactics unnecessarily harming creation.
This reveals God's comprehensive covenant: redemption includes creation care. Paul declares: The earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God (Romans 8:19)—creation groans for humanity's restoration. Jesus multiplied food (feeding thousands) rather than waste it. The tree law taught Israel: dominion (Genesis 1:28) means stewardship, not exploitation. Even urgent military needs don't justify needless destruction.