King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 20:3 Mean?

Deuteronomy 20:3 in the King James Version says “And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts fain...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them; faint: Heb. be tender tremble: Heb. make haste”

Deuteronomy 20:3 · KJV

Fear & Courage

Context

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 hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them; faint: Heb. be tender tremble: Heb. make haste

4

For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.

5

And the officers shall speak unto the people, saying, What man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it.

Read Deuteronomy 20 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The priest addresses troops before battle: 'Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them.' Four commands address fear's manifestations: hearts fainting (internal discouragement), fear (anxiety), trembling (physical response), and terror (panic). The repetition emphasizes the reality and danger of fear in battle. The priest's role shows that warfare is spiritual before physical—Israel fights as God's covenant people, requiring spiritual preparation and divine presence.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Priests accompanied Israel to battle (as in Jericho's conquest, Joshua 6), distinguishing Israel's warfare from pagan holy wars. Israel fought as theocratic nation under God's command, not merely for territorial expansion. The priest's address reminded soldiers of covenant identity and divine promises. Similar principles appear in New Testament spiritual warfare—fear is conquered by faith, and victory depends on God's power, not human strength (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).

Reflection Questions

  1. How can you address the various manifestations of fear (discouragement, anxiety, trembling, terror) with biblical truth?
  2. What role does spiritual preparation play in facing life's battles?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וְאָמַ֤ר1 of 20

“And shall say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲלֵהֶם֙2 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

שְׁמַ֣ע3 of 20

“unto them Hear”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל4 of 20

“O Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

אַתֶּ֨ם5 of 20
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

קְרֵבִ֥ים6 of 20

“ye approach”

H7131

near

הַיּ֛וֹם7 of 20

“this day”

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

לַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה8 of 20

“unto battle”

H4421

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

עַל9 of 20
H5921

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

אֹֽיְבֵיכֶ֑ם10 of 20

“against your enemies”

H341

hating; an adversary

אַל11 of 20
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

יֵרַ֣ךְ12 of 20

“faint”

H7401

to soften (intransitively or transitively), used figuratively

לְבַבְכֶ֗ם13 of 20

“let not your hearts”

H3824

the heart (as the most interior organ)

אַל14 of 20
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּֽירְא֧וּ15 of 20

“fear”

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

וְאַֽל16 of 20
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תַּחְפְּז֛וּ17 of 20

“not and do not tremble”

H2648

properly, to start up suddenly, i.e., (by implication) to hasten away, to fear

וְאַל18 of 20
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תַּֽעַרְצ֖וּ19 of 20

“neither be ye terrified”

H6206

to awe or (intransitive) to dread; hence, to harass

מִפְּנֵיהֶֽם׃20 of 20

“because”

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

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 20:3 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 20:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 3:6Hebrews 13:6Revelation 2:10Psalms 27:1-3Isaiah 8:12-13Joshua 23:10

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