Deuteronomy 20:7
And what man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? let him go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her.
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
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִקָּחֶֽנָּה׃
and hath not taken
H3947
יִקָּחֶֽנָּה׃
and hath not taken
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
7 of 16
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
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)
Cross References
Deuteronomy 24:5When a man hath taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war, neither shall he be charged with any business: but he shall be free at home one year, and shall cheer up his wife which he hath taken.Deuteronomy 28:30Thou shalt betroth a wife, and another man shall lie with her: thou shalt build an house, and thou shalt not dwell therein: thou shalt plant a vineyard, and shalt not gather the grapes thereof.
Historical Context
Betrothal in ancient Israel was legally binding—breaking it required divorce (as with Mary and Joseph, Matthew 1:18-19). These exemptions show God's law regulated warfare humanely, unlike surrounding nations that conscripted without regard for personal circumstances. Gideon later applied this principle by reducing his army from 32,000 to 300 (Judges 7:2-7).
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's concern for completing life transitions before taking on spiritual battles inform your sense of calling and timing?
- In what ways might God be calling you to "reduce your army" by releasing those not fully committed rather than pressuring reluctant service?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And what man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? (מִי־הָאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר־אֵרַשׂ אִשָּׁה)—The fourth exemption involves aras (betrothed)—legally bound but not yet consummated in marriage. The betrothal period could last a year, during which the couple were legally married but living separately. To die in battle before the wedding night would leave the woman in legal limbo and deny the man his anticipated joy.
This law appears verbatim in the curse of Deuteronomy 28:30: "Thou shalt betroth a wife, and another man shall lie with her." What God graciously exempts in chapter 20, He threatens as covenant curse in chapter 28—underscoring that these aren't arbitrary rules but expressions of God's desire for His people's flourishing.