Deuteronomy 20:6
And what man is he that hath planted a vineyard, and hath not yet eaten of it? let him also go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man eat of it.
Original Language Analysis
וּמִֽי
H4310
וּמִֽי
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
1 of 16
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
וְאִ֥ישׁ
And what man
H376
וְאִ֥ישׁ
And what man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
2 of 16
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)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
3 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נָטַ֥ע
is he that hath planted
H5193
נָטַ֥ע
is he that hath planted
Strong's:
H5193
Word #:
4 of 16
properly, to strike in, i.e., fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively)
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יְחַלְּלֶֽנּוּ׃
and hath not yet eaten
H2490
יְחַלְּלֶֽנּוּ׃
and hath not yet eaten
Strong's:
H2490
Word #:
7 of 16
properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin
יֵלֵ֖ךְ
H1980
יֵלֵ֖ךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
8 of 16
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וְיָשֹׁ֣ב
and return
H7725
וְיָשֹׁ֣ב
and return
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
9 of 16
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
לְבֵית֑וֹ
unto his house
H1004
לְבֵית֑וֹ
unto his house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
10 of 16
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
פֶּן
H6435
פֶּן
Strong's:
H6435
Word #:
11 of 16
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
יָמוּת֙
lest he die
H4191
יָמוּת֙
lest he die
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
12 of 16
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
בַּמִּלְחָמָ֔ה
in the battle
H4421
בַּמִּלְחָמָ֔ה
in the battle
Strong's:
H4421
Word #:
13 of 16
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
וְאִ֥ישׁ
And what man
H376
וְאִ֥ישׁ
And what man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
14 of 16
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 exemptions appear in the context of holy war legislation (Deuteronomy 20:1-9), delivered by Moses on the plains of Moab before entering Canaan. Unlike ancient Near Eastern armies that conscripted brutally, Israel's army excused those with legitimate life concerns, trusting God for victory rather than sheer numbers.
Questions for Reflection
- What unfinished desires or incomplete projects might distract you from wholehearted service to God's present calling?
- How does God's provision of these exemptions challenge modern assumptions about religious duty overriding all personal circumstances?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And what man is he that hath planted a vineyard, and hath not yet eaten of it? (מִי־הָאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר־נָטַע כֶּרֶם)—The third warfare exemption addresses nata (planted) a vineyard but not yet enjoyed its fruit. Under Leviticus 19:23-25, fruit was forbidden for three years, dedicated to God in year four, and available to the owner in year five. To die before enjoying God's blessing on one's labor would be tragic.
This exemption reveals God's compassion for human joy and completion. Holy war required wholehearted focus—a soldier preoccupied with unfinished business would fight halfheartedly. The principle: God wants fully committed warriors, not distracted conscripts forced into service while longing for home.