When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

DEUTERONOMY 20:1KJV
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Deuteronomy 20:1 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 20:1 mean?

Deuteronomy 20:1 tells the Israelites not to be afraid when they go out to battle and see that their enemies have more horses, chariots, and people, because the LORD their God is with them—the same God who brought them out of Egypt. The verse is a reassurance that God’s presence is greater than any military disadvantage.

In this verse, Moses is speaking to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the land of Canaan. The situation is one of potential fear, since the Israelites may face armies that look much stronger than they are. The verse reminds them of God’s past deliverance from Egypt, encouraging them to trust in God’s power rather than being intimidated by what they see.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 20:1

  • "Afraid" (יָרֵא, yare): This word means to fear or be terrified. Here, it is a command not to let fear control them, even when the enemy seems overwhelming.
  • "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God, reminding the Israelites that it is their covenant God who is with them, not a distant or unknown deity.
  • "Up" (עָלָה, ‘alah): This word is used for God bringing the Israelites "up" out of Egypt, which often carries the sense of deliverance and elevation from oppression.

Why Deuteronomy 20:1 matters

  • Deuteronomy 20:1 clarifies that courage is not based on military strength but on remembering God’s faithfulness and presence.
  • The verse connects the Israelites’ current situation to their history, showing that the same God who saved them before will continue to do so.
  • This reassurance sets the tone for the laws and instructions about warfare that follow in the chapter, emphasizing trust in God over fear of outward circumstances.

Where else these words appear

“chariots” Hebrew H7393 · used in 104 verses

  • Genesis 50:9 And there went up with him both chariots and horsemen: and it was a very great company.
  • 1 Kings 16:9 And his servant Zimri, captain of half his chariots, conspired against him, as he was in Tirzah, drinking himself drunk in the house of Arza steward of his house in Tirzah.
  • 2 Chronicles 12:3 With twelve hundred chariots, and threescore thousand horsemen: and the people were without number that came with him out of Egypt; the Lubims, the Sukkiims, and the Ethiopians.

“horses” Hebrew H5483 · used in 131 verses

  • Genesis 47:17 And they brought their cattle unto Joseph: and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for horses, and for the flocks, and for the cattle of the herds, and for the asses: and he fed them with bread for all their cattle for that year.
  • 2 Kings 18:23 Now therefore, I pray thee, give pledges to my lord the king of Assyria, and I will deliver thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them.
  • Jeremiah 12:5 If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?