Deuteronomy 20:5
And the officers shall speak unto the people, saying, What man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it.
Original Language Analysis
וְדִבְּר֣וּ
shall speak
H1696
וְדִבְּר֣וּ
shall speak
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
1 of 22
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
הַשֹּֽׁטְרִים֮
And the officers
H7860
הַשֹּֽׁטְרִים֮
And the officers
Strong's:
H7860
Word #:
2 of 22
properly, a scribe, i.e., (by analogy or implication) an official superintendent or magistrate
הָעָ֣ם
unto the people
H5971
הָעָ֣ם
unto the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
4 of 22
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
מִֽי
H4310
מִֽי
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
6 of 22
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
וְאִ֥ישׁ
What man
H376
וְאִ֥ישׁ
What man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
7 of 22
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
8 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בָּנָ֤ה
is there that hath built
H1129
בָּנָ֤ה
is there that hath built
Strong's:
H1129
Word #:
9 of 22
to build (literally and figuratively)
לְבֵית֑וֹ
house
H1004
לְבֵית֑וֹ
house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
10 of 22
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
12 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יַחְנְכֶֽנּוּ׃
and hath not dedicated
H2596
יַחְנְכֶֽנּוּ׃
and hath not dedicated
Strong's:
H2596
Word #:
13 of 22
properly, to narrow; figuratively, to initiate or discipline
יֵלֵ֖ךְ
H1980
יֵלֵ֖ךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
14 of 22
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וְיָשֹׁ֣ב
and return
H7725
וְיָשֹׁ֣ב
and return
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
15 of 22
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
לְבֵית֑וֹ
house
H1004
לְבֵית֑וֹ
house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
16 of 22
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
פֶּן
H6435
פֶּן
Strong's:
H6435
Word #:
17 of 22
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
יָמוּת֙
lest he die
H4191
יָמוּת֙
lest he die
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
18 of 22
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
בַּמִּלְחָמָ֔ה
in the battle
H4421
בַּמִּלְחָמָ֔ה
in the battle
Strong's:
H4421
Word #:
19 of 22
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
וְאִ֥ישׁ
What man
H376
וְאִ֥ישׁ
What man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
20 of 22
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
Historical Context
These military exemptions (vv. 5-8) were unprecedented in ancient warfare, where conscription was typically absolute. Surrounding nations—Egypt, Assyria, Babylon—pressed all able-bodied men into service regardless of personal circumstances. Israel's exemptions recognized that life consists of more than military glory; domestic flourishing matters to God. These laws also served practical purposes:
- maintaining agricultural productivity by exempting those with new vineyards
- preserving morale by excusing those distracted by unfinished business
- ensuring only committed soldiers fought, not those whose hearts were elsewhere.
The exemptions applied to voluntary wars of expansion, not defensive wars requiring total mobilization (Mishnah Sotah 8:7).
Questions for Reflection
- How do these exemptions reflect God's concern for quality of life, not just preservation of life?
- What does the priority given to "dedicating your house" and "enjoying your vineyard" teach about enjoying God's blessings before they're taken away?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
What man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? (מִי־הָאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר בָּנָה בַיִת־חָדָשׁ וְלֹא חֲנָכוֹ, mi-ha-ish asher banah bayit-chadash ve-lo chanakho)—the verb chanak (חָנַךְ) means to dedicate, inaugurate, initiate into use. This wasn't merely pragmatic exemption but theological: a man should enjoy the firstfruits of his labor before risking death. The same root gives us Hanukkah, the Feast of Dedication.
Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it—this compassionate exemption reveals God's care for human flourishing, not just military victory. The tragedy isn't merely death but dying before experiencing the fruit of one's work. This reflects Deuteronomy's this-worldly blessings theology: obedience brings tangible rewards in the present life—enjoying your house, vineyard, wife (vv. 5-7). Later biblical texts echo this value: Ecclesiastes 9:9 urges enjoying life's good gifts; Jesus's parable contrasts the rich fool who built bigger barns but died before enjoying them (Luke 12:16-21).