Deuteronomy Chapter 20 · Verse 4

Authorized King James Version

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For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.

Original Language Analysis

כִּ֚י H3588
כִּ֚י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 1 of 11
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יְהוָ֣ה For the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֣ה For the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 2 of 11
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם your God H430
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם your God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 3 of 11
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
הַֽהֹלֵ֖ךְ is he that goeth H1980
הַֽהֹלֵ֖ךְ is he that goeth
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 4 of 11
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
עִמָּכֶ֑ם H5973
עִמָּכֶ֑ם
Strong's: H5973
Word #: 5 of 11
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
לְהִלָּחֵ֥ם with you to fight H3898
לְהִלָּחֵ֥ם with you to fight
Strong's: H3898
Word #: 6 of 11
to feed on; figuratively, to consume
לָכֶ֛ם H0
לָכֶ֛ם
Strong's: H0
Word #: 7 of 11
עִם H5973
עִם
Strong's: H5973
Word #: 8 of 11
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
אֹֽיְבֵיכֶ֖ם for you against your enemies H341
אֹֽיְבֵיכֶ֖ם for you against your enemies
Strong's: H341
Word #: 9 of 11
hating; an adversary
לְהוֹשִׁ֥יעַ to save H3467
לְהוֹשִׁ֥יעַ to save
Strong's: H3467
Word #: 10 of 11
properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor
אֶתְכֶֽם׃ H853
אֶתְכֶֽם׃
Strong's: H853
Word #: 11 of 11
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

Analysis & Commentary

Divine warfare: 'For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.' God doesn't merely observe or bless battles; He actively fights 'for you.' The Hebrew lacham (לָחַם, fight) indicates direct combat. The purpose: 'to save you' (לְהוֹשִׁיעַ, lehoshi'a, deliver/give victory). This transforms warfare from human achievement to divine gift. Israelite soldiers participate, but God secures victory. This prevents boasting ('my hand hath saved me,' Judges 7:2) and maintains dependence. When Israel trusted God, they conquered; when trusting themselves, they failed (Ai after Achan's sin, Joshua 7). Spiritual warfare operates identically—'not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD' (Zechariah 4:6).

Historical Context

Exodus provided paradigm: God fought for Israel (Exodus 14:14, 'The LORD shall fight for you'). Joshua's battles featured divine intervention: Jericho's walls, sun standing still, hailstones killing more than swords (Joshua 6, 10). David's victories came 'in the name of the LORD of hosts' (1 Samuel 17:45). Jehoshaphat's battle won by worship (2 Chronicles 20:15-22). These demonstrate God fighting for His people. Ephesians 6:10-18 applies this spiritually—spiritual warfare requires divine armor and power, not human strength. Victory belongs to God; we participate through obedient faith.

Questions for Reflection