King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 3:19 Mean?

Deuteronomy 3:19 in the King James Version says “But your wives, and your little ones, and your cattle, ( for I know that ye have much cattle,) shall abide in your citie...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“But your wives, and your little ones, and your cattle, ( for I know that ye have much cattle,) shall abide in your cities which I have given you;”

Deuteronomy 3:19 · KJV

Context

17

The plain also, and Jordan, and the coast thereof, from Chinnereth even unto the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, under Ashdothpisgah eastward. Ashdothpisgah; or, the springs of Pisgah, or, the hill

18

And I commanded you at that time, saying, The LORD your God hath given you this land to possess it: ye shall pass over armed before your brethren the children of Israel, all that are meet for the war. meet: Heb. sons of power

19

But your wives, and your little ones, and your cattle, ( for I know that ye have much cattle,) shall abide in your cities which I have given you;

20

Until the LORD have given rest unto your brethren, as well as unto you, and until they also possess the land which the LORD your God hath given them beyond Jordan: and then shall ye return every man unto his possession, which I have given you.

21

And I commanded Joshua at that time, saying, Thine eyes have seen all that the LORD your God hath done unto these two kings: so shall the LORD do unto all the kingdoms whither thou passest.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The exception 'But your wives, and your little ones, and your cattle... shall abide in your cities' shows compassionate provision. God doesn't require impossible burdens—families could stay in security while fighting men fulfilled their obligation. The parenthetical acknowledgment '(for I know that ye have much cattle)' recognizes their specific circumstances. God's commands account for practical realities while maintaining moral standards.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The extensive livestock holdings of Reuben and Gad motivated their Transjordan settlement request (Numbers 32:1). God's permission for families to remain showed grace—the men wouldn't have to choose between duty to nation and duty to family. Both could be honored through wise planning.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's compassion in your circumstances encourage faithful obedience?
  2. What responsibilities can you fulfill without neglecting other legitimate obligations?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
רַ֠ק1 of 14
H7535

properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although

נְשֵׁיכֶ֣ם2 of 14

“But your wives”

H802

a woman

וְטַפְּכֶם֮3 of 14

“and your little ones”

H2945

a family (mostly used collectively in the singular)

מִקְנֶ֥ה4 of 14

“and your cattle”

H4735

something bought, i.e., property, but only live stock; abstractly, acquisition

יָדַ֕עְתִּי5 of 14

“for I know”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

כִּֽי6 of 14
H3588

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

מִקְנֶ֥ה7 of 14

“and your cattle”

H4735

something bought, i.e., property, but only live stock; abstractly, acquisition

רַ֖ב8 of 14

“that ye have much”

H7227

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

לָכֶ֑ם9 of 14
H0
יֵֽשְׁבוּ֙10 of 14

“shall abide”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בְּעָ֣רֵיכֶ֔ם11 of 14

“in your cities”

H5892

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

אֲשֶׁ֥ר12 of 14
H834

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

נָתַ֖תִּי13 of 14

“which I have given”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לָכֶֽם׃14 of 14
H0

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 3:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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