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,

DEUTERONOMY 21:10KJV
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Deuteronomy 21:10 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 21:10 mean?

Deuteronomy 21:10 describes a situation where the Israelites go out to war against their enemies, and the LORD their God gives them victory, allowing them to capture their opponents. The verse sets the stage for instructions about what happens after a battle, specifically regarding the treatment of captives.

In this verse, Moses is speaking to the people of Israel as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. The context is practical guidance for wartime, assuming that God (using the name יְהוָה, YHWH) will deliver Israel’s enemies into their hands. The verse introduces a section that deals with ethical and social issues that arise when Israel takes captives during war.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 21:10

  • "War" (מִלְחָמָה, milchamah): This word refers to armed conflict or battle. Its use here signals that the instructions are for times of actual warfare, not just minor disputes.
  • "Enemies" (אֹיֵב, oyev): This term means adversaries or those who are hostile. It clarifies that the context is fighting against those who oppose Israel, not just any foreign group.
  • "Delivered" (נָתַן, natan): This verb means to give or hand over. The verse emphasizes that victory is attributed to God’s action, not just Israel’s strength.
  • "Taken" (שָׁבָה, shavah) and "captive" (שְׁבִי, shevi): Both words relate to capturing or taking prisoners. Their pairing underlines the reality of prisoners of war and sets up the following verses about their treatment.

Why Deuteronomy 21:10 matters

  • Deuteronomy 21:10 clarifies that Israel’s military victories are seen as acts of God’s intervention, not merely human achievement.
  • The verse introduces a section that deals with the humane treatment of captives, which was a significant concern in the ancient world.
  • Understanding this verse helps make sense of the ethical instructions that follow, showing that the laws were given for real-life situations the Israelites would face.

Where else these words appear

“taken” Hebrew H7617 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 14:14 And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.
  • 1 Kings 8:48 And so return unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, which led them away captive, and pray unto thee toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name:
  • 2 Chronicles 28:17 For again the Edomites had come and smitten Judah, and carried away captives.

“captive” Hebrew H7628 · used in 47 verses

  • Exodus 12:29 And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.
  • Ezra 9:7 Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as it is this day.
  • Jeremiah 30:10 Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid.