When thou shalt besiege a city a long time, in making war against it to take it, thou shalt not destroy the trees thereof by forcing an axe against them: for thou mayest eat of them, and thou shalt not cut them down(for the tree of the field is man's life) to employ them in the siege:

DEUTERONOMY 20:19KJV
truelightbible.com

Deuteronomy 20:19 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 20:19 mean?

Deuteronomy 20:19 tells the Israelites that when they lay siege to a city during war, they must not destroy the fruit trees around it, because those trees provide food and should not be cut down for use in the siege. The verse explains that the trees are not the enemy and are essential for sustaining human life.

In this verse, Moses is giving instructions from God to the Israelites about ethical conduct during warfare. The situation is a prolonged siege, where the temptation might be to use every available resource to conquer a city. Instead, the command is to spare the fruit trees (which are valuable for food), showing a concern for future provision and a respect for creation even in times of conflict.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 20:19

  • "Destroy" (שָׁחַת, shachat): This word means to ruin or corrupt. The instruction is not to ruin the trees, emphasizing that not everything should be sacrificed for military gain.
  • "Trees" (עֵץ, etz): The word refers to trees in general, but the context makes clear it means fruit-bearing trees, which are directly useful for food.
  • "Forcing" (נָדַח, nadach): This word carries the idea of driving or pushing, here describing the act of attacking the trees with an axe. The verse is specific about not using violence against the trees.
  • "Tree of the field is man's life" (עֵץ הַשָּׂדֶה אָדָם, etz hasadeh adam): This phrase highlights the close connection between people and the trees that feed them, underlining the practical and symbolic value of preserving them.

Why Deuteronomy 20:19 matters

  • This verse clarifies that even in war, there are boundaries and ethical considerations; not everything is permitted just because it is expedient.
  • The instruction to spare the fruit trees shows a concern for the future and for the well-being of both the besiegers and the land itself, not just immediate victory.
  • Deuteronomy 20:19 stands out in the wider passage as a call to restraint and respect for life and resources, setting a tone of measured conduct even in difficult circumstances.