Deuteronomy 20:8

After these things have been declared, they shall add the remainder, and shall say to the people: ‘What man is there who is overwhelmed by fear and is fainthearted? Let him go, and return to his house, lest he cause the hearts of his brothers to fear, just as he himself has been thoroughly stricken with fear.’

Catholic Public Domain Version

In The King James Version

And the officers shall speak further unto the people, and they shall say, What man is there that is fearful and fainthearted? let him go and return unto his house, lest his brethren’s heart faint as well as his heart.

In Context

7What man is there, who has betrothed a wife, and has not taken her? Let him go, and return to his house, lest perhaps he may die in battle, and another man may take her.’

9And when the officers of the army have become silent, and have completed their speech, each one shall prepare his unit to wage war.

Read all of Deuteronomy 20

Cross References

Exodus 15:15Then the leaders of Edom were stirred up, and trembling took hold of the robust of Moab. All the inhabitants of Canaan were petrified.

Numbers 32:9And when they had gone all the way to the Valley of the Cluster of Grapes, having viewed the entire region, they subverted the hearts of the sons of Israel, so that they would not enter into the parts that the Lord gave to them.

Deuteronomy 23:9When you have gone out to war against your enemies, you shall keep yourself from everything that is evil.

Luke 9:62Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow, and then looks back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

1 Corinthians 15:33Do not be led astray. Evil communication corrupts good morals.

Revelation 21:8But the fearful, and the unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and drug users, and idolaters, and all liars, these shall be a part of the pool burning with fire and sulphur, which is the second death.”

Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 20:2-10

Directions Concerning War; Persons Excused from War. ( b. c. 1451.) 1 When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the Lord thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. 2 And it shall be, when ye are come nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people, 3 And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your… Read the whole commentary →

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