Deuteronomy 20:12

French (La Sainte Bible par Louis Segond 1910)

Si elle n'accepte pas la paix avec toi et qu'elle veuille te faire la guerre, alors tu l'assiégeras.

What Does This Mean?

This verse is about war. Moses is giving instructions to the Israelites. If a city refuses to make peace and instead chooses to fight, then the Israelites are to besiege it.

Explained for Children

Imagine you're playing a game where you can make a friend or fight them. If they choose to fight instead of being friends, you have to follow the rules and keep playing the game until they decide to stop fighting.

Historical Background

Moses wrote this part of Deuteronomy around 1200 BCE, addressing the Israelites as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. The cultural context was one of warfare and conquest, common among ancient civilizations.

Living It Out Today

In modern times, this can be seen as a principle for conflict resolution. If someone is unwilling to negotiate or compromise, sometimes the only option is to prepare for a confrontation, much like in business negotiations or personal disputes.

Topics

• war
• peace
• conflict resolution
• leadership
• military
• negotiation

Related Verses

• Joshua 6:17
• Joshua 9:20
• 1 Samuel 11:3
• Luke 14:31
• James 4:1

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is speaking in Deuteronomy 20:12?

Moses is speaking to the Israelites, giving them instructions about warfare and peace.

What does it mean to besiege a city?

To besiege a city means to surround it, cutting off supplies and reinforcements, forcing the city to surrender or suffer.

How does this verse relate to the concept of peace?

This verse emphasizes the importance of seeking peace first. Only if peace cannot be achieved through negotiations does one proceed to military action.

Why is this verse important for understanding biblical warfare?

This verse shows that biblical warfare was not about aggression but about self-defense and ensuring peace after conflict.