Deuteronomy 20:11

Translations

Modern

If they accept your offer of peace and open their gates, all the people there will become forced laborers to serve you.

Traditional

And it shall be, if it make thee answer of peace, and open unto thee, then it shall be, that all the people that is found therein shall be tributaries unto thee, and they shall serve thee.

Literal

And it shall come to pass that if they accept your offer of peace and open to you, then all the people found in it shall be unto you in tribute, and they will serve you.

Latin

Si receperit, et aperuerit tibi portas, cunctus populus, qui in ea est, salvabitur, et serviet tibi sub tributo.

Original

Hebrew

English

If they accept your offer of peace and open their gates, all the people there will become forced laborers to serve you.

Notes

Deuteronomy 20:11

forced laborers: These were people who had to work against their will. This kind of labor was often required of prisoners of war. At times, even some Israelites were made to do this work (1 Kings 5:13–18; 9:15, 21; 12:18).

Deuteronomy 20:10–15

The people living in the land of Canaan had already been placed under the ban (7:1–6). This means they were set apart for complete destruction as part of God’s judgment.

So this command refers to other nations. It applies to people whom Israel would fight outside the land (20:15).

Theme notes and profiles

Ancient Law Codes Holy War

Related verses

Joshua 9:22–23
Then Joshua summoned the Gibeonites and said, “Why did you deceive us by telling us you live far away from us, when in fact you live among us?
Joshua 16:10
But they did not drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer. So the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites to this day, but they are forced laborers.
Leviticus 25:42–46
Because the Israelites are My servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt, they are not to be sold as slaves.
Psalm 120:7
I am in favor of peace; but when I speak, they want war.
Judges 1:28
When Israel became stronger, they pressed the Canaanites into forced labor, but they never drove them out completely.
Judges 1:30–35
Zebulun failed to drive out the inhabitants of Kitron and Nahalol; so the Canaanites lived among them and served as forced laborers.
Luke 19:14
But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We do not want this man to rule over us.’
Joshua 11:19–20
No city made peace with the Israelites except the Hivites living in Gibeon; all others were taken in battle.
1 Kings 9:21–22
…their descendants who remained in the land, those whom the Israelites were unable to devote to destruction—Solomon conscripted these people to be forced laborers, as they are to this day.
Joshua 9:27
On that day he made them woodcutters and water carriers, as they are to this day for the congregation of the LORD and for the altar at the place He would choose.

Glossary

Archaeology and the Bible Biblical Concept of Law Covenant Deuteronomy, Book of Holy War Holy War Joshua, Book of

Topics

Siege: An offer of Peace Must be Made to the City Before Beginning A

Deuteronomy 20:11

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Related verses?

Glossary?

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Translations

Original

Notes

Related verses

Glossary

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