King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 20:19 Mean?

Deuteronomy 20:19 in the King James Version says “When thou shalt besiege a city a long time, in making war against it to take it, thou shalt not destroy the trees thereo... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

When thou shalt besiege a city a long time, in making war against it to take it, thou shalt not destroy the trees thereof by forcing an axe against them: for thou mayest eat of them, and thou shalt not cut them down (for the tree of the field is man's life ) to employ them in the siege : for the: or, for, O man, the tree of the field is to be employed in the siege to employ: Heb. to go from before thee

Deuteronomy 20:19 · KJV


Context

17

But thou shalt utterly destroy them; namely, the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee:

18

That they teach you not to do after all their abominations, which they have done unto their gods; so should ye sin against the LORD your God.

19

When thou shalt besiege a city a long time, in making war against it to take it, thou shalt not destroy the trees thereof by forcing an axe against them: for thou mayest eat of them, and thou shalt not cut them down (for the tree of the field is man's life ) to employ them in the siege : for the: or, for, O man, the tree of the field is to be employed in the siege to employ: Heb. to go from before thee

20

Only the trees which thou knowest that they be not trees for meat, thou shalt destroy and cut them down; and thou shalt build bulwarks against the city that maketh war with thee, until it be subdued. it: Heb. it come down


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
When thou shalt besiege a city a long time, in making war against it to take it, thou shalt not destroy the trees thereof by forcing an axe against them—Even in warfare, God requires environmental stewardship. Fruit trees provide food (מַאֲכָל, ma'akal) and shouldn't be destroyed militarily. The prohibition against forcing an axe (נִדַּחְתָּ עֲלֵיהֶם גַּרְזֶן, nidachta alehem garzen, 'wielding an axe against them') forbids scorched-earth tactics unnecessarily harming creation.

This reveals God's comprehensive covenant: redemption includes creation care. Paul declares: The earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God (Romans 8:19)—creation groans for humanity's restoration. Jesus multiplied food (feeding thousands) rather than waste it. The tree law taught Israel: dominion (Genesis 1:28) means stewardship, not exploitation. Even urgent military needs don't justify needless destruction.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient warfare commonly destroyed agricultural resources (Judges 9:45—Abimelech sowed Shechem with salt). God's prohibition distinguished Israel morally—showing concern for future generations' sustenance and creation's intrinsic value beyond human utility.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does warfare's tree-preservation law challenge Christian approaches to creation care and environmental stewardship?
  2. What modern 'scorched-earth' practices (exploiting resources without replenishing, environmental degradation) violate this principle?
  3. How does viewing creation as groaning for redemption (Romans 8:19) motivate responsible dominion rather than destructive exploitation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 29 words
כִּֽי1 of 29
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

תָצ֣וּר2 of 29

When thou shalt besiege

H6696

to cramp, i.e., confine (in many applications, literally and figuratively, formative or hostile)

אֶל3 of 29
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

עִיר֩4 of 29

a city

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

יָמִ֨ים5 of 29

time

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

רַבִּ֜ים6 of 29

a long

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

לְֽהִלָּחֵ֧ם7 of 29

in making war

H3898

to feed on; figuratively, to consume

עָלֶ֣יהָ8 of 29
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

לְתָפְשָׂ֗הּ9 of 29

against it to take

H8610

to manipulate, i.e., seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably

לֹֽא10 of 29
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תַשְׁחִ֤ית11 of 29

it thou shalt not destroy

H7843

to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)

אֶת12 of 29
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עֵ֣ץ13 of 29

for the tree

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

לִנְדֹּ֤חַ14 of 29

thereof by forcing

H5080

to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to expel, mislead, strike, inflict, etc.)

עָלָיו֙15 of 29
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

גַּרְזֶ֔ן16 of 29

an axe

H1631

an axe

כִּ֚י17 of 29
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

מִמֶּ֣נּוּ18 of 29
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

תֹאכֵ֔ל19 of 29

against them for thou mayest eat

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

וְאֹת֖וֹ20 of 29
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

לֹ֣א21 of 29
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תִכְרֹ֑ת22 of 29

of them and thou shalt not cut them down

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

כִּ֤י23 of 29
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הָֽאָדָם֙24 of 29

is man's

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

עֵ֣ץ25 of 29

for the tree

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

הַשָּׂדֶ֔ה26 of 29

of the field

H7704

a field (as flat)

לָבֹ֥א27 of 29

life to employ

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

מִפָּנֶ֖יךָ28 of 29

them in the siege

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

בַּמָּצֽוֹר׃29 of 29
H4692

something hemming in, i.e., (objectively) a mound (of besiegers), (abstractly) a siege, (figuratively) distress; or (subjectively) a fastness


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 20:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 20:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study