Chapter commentary
Deuteronomy Chapter 20
1
Deuteronomy 20:1
简体中文
English original
Horses, and chariots - The most formidable elements of an Oriental host, which the Canaanites possessed in great numbers; compare Joshua 17:16; Judges 4:3; 1 Samuel 13:5. Israel could not match these with corresponding forces (compare Deuteronomy 17:16 note and references), but, having the God of battles on its side, was not to be dismayed by them; the assumption being that the war had the sanction of God, and was consequently just.
2
Deuteronomy 20:2
简体中文
祭司 - 不是指大祭司，而是指为此目的而委派的祭司；按拉比的说法，他称为“战争之受膏者”。因此，Jeremiah 6:4 等处“要预备战争”（字面意思是“使之成圣”）的说法，或许即由此而来。非尼哈也曾与战士同去攻打米甸（Numbers 31:6；参 1 Samuel 4:4、1 Samuel 4:11；2 Chronicles 13:12）。
English original
The priest - Not the high priest, but one appointed for the purpose, and called, according to the rabbis, "the anointed of the war": hence, perhaps the expression of Jeremiah 6:4, etc. "prepare ye" (literally consecrate) "war." Thus, Phinehas went with the warriors to fight against Midian (Numbers 31:6; compare 1 Samuel 4:4, 1 Samuel 4:11; 2 Chronicles 13:12).
5
Deuteronomy 20:5
简体中文
官长们奉献了它 - 见 Exodus 5:6 注释。
可参较边注参考。这一用语十分贴切，因为犹太人迁入新居时，照例要举行若干宗教性的仪式。本节所赋予的豁免，与 Deuteronomy 20:7 的情形一样（参较 Deuteronomy 24:5），为期一年。
English original
The officers dedicated it - See Exodus 5:6 note.
Compare the marginal references. The expression is appropriate, because various ceremonies of a religious kind were customary among the Jews on taking possession of a new house. The immunity conferred in this verse lasted, like that in Deuteronomy 20:7 (compare Deuteronomy 24:5), for one year.
6
Deuteronomy 20:6
简体中文
参见旁注及参考经文。新栽种之树的果子，四年之内被分别出来，不供平常使用。
English original
See the margin and references. The fruit of newly-planted trees was set apart from common uses for four years.
9
Deuteronomy 20:9
简体中文
其意思是：“官长”们届时应当把征召来的兵员再行细分，并任命由此编成之较小单位的统领。
English original
The meaning is that the "officers" should then subdivide the levies, and appoint leaders of the smaller divisions thus constituted.
10
Deuteronomy 20:10
简体中文
这些规条的用意，是防止围城战中肆意毁灭生命与财物。
English original
Directions intended to prevent wanton destruction of life and property in sieges.
16
Deuteronomy 20:16
简体中文
然而，对迦南各族却不可宽容，他们必须被尽行灭绝（参较 Deuteronomy 7:1-4）。这命令只针对人，并不适用于牲畜（参较 Joshua 11:11、Joshua 11:14）。
English original
Forbearance, however, was not to be shown toward the Canaanite nations, which were to be utterly exterminated (compare Deuteronomy 7:1-4). The command did not apply to beasts as well as men (compare Joshua 11:11, Joshua 11:14).
19
Deuteronomy 20:19
简体中文
括号中的话可以更直译为“因为人就是田间的树木”，意即人的生命出自田间的树木，靠它维持生命（参较 Deuteronomy 24:6）。埃及人在战争中似乎总是砍伐果树。
English original
The parenthesis may he more literally rendered "for man is a tree of the field," i. e., has his life from the tree of the field, is supported in life by it (compare Deuteronomy 24:6). The Egyptians seem invariably to have cut down the fruit-trees in war.
马匹、车辆 - 这是东方军队中最可怕的成分，迦南人拥有大量马匹车辆；参 Joshua 17:16；Judges 4:3；1 Samuel 13:5。以色列无法以相应的军力与之匹敌（参 Deuteronomy 17:16 注及其引证），但既有争战的神站在它一边，就不当因这些而惊惶；这里的前提是：这战争已得神的认可，因而是正义的。