King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 20:7 Mean?

Deuteronomy 20:7 in the King James Version says “And what man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? let him go and return unto his house, lest he ...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And what man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? let him go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her.”

Deuteronomy 20:7 · KJV

Context

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.

6

And what man is he that hath planted a vineyard, and hath not yet eaten of it? let him also go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man eat of it. eaten: Heb. made it common

7

And what man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? let him go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her.

8

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. faint: Heb. melt

9

And it shall be, when the officers have made an end of speaking unto the people, that they shall make captains of the armies to lead the people. to lead: Heb. to be in the head of the people

Read Deuteronomy 20 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And what man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? (מִי־הָאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר־אֵרַשׂ אִשָּׁה)—The fourth exemption involves aras (betrothed)—legally bound but not yet consummated in marriage. The betrothal period could last a year, during which the couple were legally married but living separately. To die in battle before the wedding night would leave the woman in legal limbo and deny the man his anticipated joy.

This law appears verbatim in the curse of Deuteronomy 28:30: "Thou shalt betroth a wife, and another man shall lie with her." What God graciously exempts in chapter 20, He threatens as covenant curse in chapter 28—underscoring that these aren't arbitrary rules but expressions of God's desire for His people's flourishing.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Betrothal in ancient Israel was legally binding—breaking it required divorce (as with Mary and Joseph, Matthew 1:18-19). These exemptions show God's law regulated warfare humanely, unlike surrounding nations that conscripted without regard for personal circumstances. Gideon later applied this principle by reducing his army from 32,000 to 300 (Judges 7:2-7).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's concern for completing life transitions before taking on spiritual battles inform your sense of calling and timing?
  2. In what ways might God be calling you to "reduce your army" by releasing those not fully committed rather than pressuring reluctant service?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וּמִֽי1 of 16
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

וְאִ֥ישׁ2 of 16

“And what man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֲשֶׁר3 of 16
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אֵרַ֤שׂ4 of 16

“is there that hath betrothed”

H781

to promise to marry

אִשָּׁה֙5 of 16

“a wife”

H802

a woman

וְלֹ֣א6 of 16
H3808

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

יִקָּחֶֽנָּה׃7 of 16

“and hath not taken”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

יֵלֵ֖ךְ8 of 16
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

וְיָשֹׁ֣ב9 of 16

“and return”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

לְבֵית֑וֹ10 of 16

“unto his house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

פֶּן11 of 16
H6435

properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest

יָמוּת֙12 of 16

“lest he die”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

בַּמִּלְחָמָ֔ה13 of 16

“in the battle”

H4421

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

וְאִ֥ישׁ14 of 16

“And what man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אַחֵ֖ר15 of 16

“and another”

H312

properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc

יִקָּחֶֽנָּה׃16 of 16

“and hath not taken”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

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 20:7 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 20:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 24:5Deuteronomy 28:30Deuteronomy 22:23-252 Timothy 2:4Luke 14:18-20Matthew 1:18

Test Your Knowledge

Deuteronomy 20 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterDeuteronomy Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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