Deuteronomy 20:11 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 20:11 mean?

Deuteronomy 20:11 says that if a city responds peacefully and opens its gates when Israel offers terms of peace during war, then the people of that city will become subjects who pay tribute and serve the Israelites. The verse sets out what should happen if a city surrenders without fighting.

In this passage, Moses is instructing the Israelites on how to approach cities that are far away, not those in the land of Canaan. The instruction is that Israel should first offer peace, and if the city accepts, its people are not destroyed but instead become laborers or payers of tribute. This reflects the ancient practice of making conquered peoples serve the victors, but it also shows a preference for peace over destruction when possible.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 20:11

• "Peace" (שָׁלוֹם, shalom): This word means more than just the absence of war; it often includes the ideas of wholeness, safety, and well-being. Here, it refers to a peaceful surrender and willingness to accept Israel’s terms.
• "Tributaries" (מַס, mas): This term means forced labor or a tax/tribute. The people who surrender are not killed but are required to serve or pay a tax to Israel, showing a shift from destruction to subjugation.
• "Serve" (עָבַד, avad): This verb means to work or serve, often in the sense of labor. In this context, it clarifies that the people will have a subordinate, serving role under Israelite authority.

Why Deuteronomy 20:11 matters

• Deuteronomy 20:11 clarifies that Israel was to offer peace before attacking distant cities, showing that violence was not the first resort.
• The verse helps distinguish between the treatment of cities outside Canaan and those within, which faced different instructions in the following verses.
• Understanding the words for "peace," "tribute," and "serve" highlights the practical and social consequences of surrender in the ancient world, showing that surrender led to subjugation rather than destruction.