Deuteronomy 21:10
When thou goest forth to war against thine enemies, and the LORD thy God hath delivered them into thine hands, and thou hast taken them captive,
Original Language Analysis
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
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
תֵצֵ֥א
When thou goest forth
H3318
תֵצֵ֥א
When thou goest forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
2 of 11
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
לַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה
to war
H4421
לַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה
to war
Strong's:
H4421
Word #:
3 of 11
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
4 of 11
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וּנְתָנ֞וֹ
hath delivered
H5414
וּנְתָנ֞וֹ
hath delivered
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
6 of 11
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
יְהוָ֧ה
and the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֧ה
and the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 11
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
8 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
בְּיָדֶ֖ךָ
them into thine hands
H3027
בְּיָדֶ֖ךָ
them into thine hands
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
9 of 11
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
Historical Context
In ancient warfare, female captives were typically raped immediately and enslaved permanently. Deuteronomy 21:10-14 represents revolutionary humanitarian legislation, requiring a month of mourning and permanent marriage (not concubinage or slavery) if the soldier desires the woman. This law limited male exploitation while acknowledging the harsh realities of ancient warfare.
Questions for Reflection
- How does attributing military victory to God rather than human prowess guard against the pride and brutality that typically accompany conquest?
- What modern situations require Christians to uphold God's standards of human dignity even within systems we cannot immediately eliminate?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
When thou goest forth to war against thine enemies, and the LORD thy God hath delivered them into thine hands (כִּי־תֵצֵא לַמִּלְחָמָה עַל־אֹיְבֶיךָ)—The phrase ki tetze (when you go out) assumes Israel's military engagement will happen. But victory is attributed to God: netano YHWH Elohekha beyadeikha (the LORD your God has given them into your hand). Military success is divine gift, not human achievement.
And thou hast taken them captive (וְשָׁבִיתָ שִׁבְיוֹ)—The verb shavah (take captive) introduces a case law governing treatment of female war captives. What follows (vv. 10-14) radically regulates ancient Near Eastern norms, protecting women from immediate sexual exploitation and giving them time to grieve.