Deuteronomy 20:11

Arabic Simplified (الكِتاب المُقَدَّس: التَّرْجَمَةُ العَرَبِيَّةُ المُبَسَّطَةُ)

فَإنْ قَبِلُوا عَرضَكُمْ لِلسَّلَامِ وَفَتَحُوا بَوَّابَاتِهِمْ، يَصِيرُ جَمِيعُ سُكَّانِ تِلْكَ المَدِينَةِ خُدَّامًا وَعُمَّالًا لَدَيْكُمْ.

What Does This Mean?

This verse is part of instructions from God to the Israelites about how to deal with enemy cities. If a city offers peace and opens its gates, the people inside must serve the Israelites. It's about conditions for peace and surrender.

Explained for Children

Imagine you have a big game of capture the flag. If the other team says 'We give up!' and opens their base, you let them stay, but they have to follow your rules and help you out. That's what this verse is talking about, but for real battles and cities.

Historical Background

This verse is from the book of Deuteronomy, written by Moses around 1400-1300 BCE. It was given to the Israelites as part of God's law, preparing them for entering and conquering the Promised Land. The cultural setting was one of warfare and conquest in the ancient Near East.

Living It Out Today

In modern times, this verse can teach us about the importance of peace and the conditions we might set when accepting a peaceful surrender. For example, in a workplace dispute, one might offer terms for reconciliation and continued cooperation.

Topics

• peace
• conquest
• service
• surrender
• conditions
• Israel

Related Verses

• Joshua 6:21
• Joshua 9:27
• 1 Samuel 24:20
• Matthew 5:9
• Romans 12:18

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this verse justify forced servitude?

This verse describes a specific historical and cultural context. Modern interpretation considers ethical and moral implications, emphasizing voluntary service and mutual respect in peace agreements.

How does this relate to modern warfare?

In modern warfare, this verse can reflect on the terms of surrender and the conditions for peace, emphasizing the importance of fair and just treatment of surrendered parties.

What does this teach us about peace?

It teaches us that peace can be conditional, and that peace agreements often involve terms that must be respected by both parties to maintain harmony.

Is this verse only about military conquest?

While it's specifically about military situations, the broader principle is about establishing terms for peace and cooperation in conflict resolution, which can be applied in various relational and social contexts.