Chapter commentary
Deuteronomy Chapter 20
1
Deuteronomy 20:1
繁體中文
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
繁體中文
祭司——不是大祭司，而是為此目的特別委派的祭司；據拉比的說法，他稱為「戰爭的受膏者」；耶利米書 6:4 等處「你們要預備打仗」（原文直譯為「分別為聖」）的說法，或許即由此而來。非尼哈也曾與戰士同去攻打米甸（Numbers 31:6；比較 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
繁體中文
官長們奉獻了它——見 Exodus 5:6 的註釋。
請比較旁註的參考經文。這一用語是恰當的，因為猶太人在入住新屋時，照例要舉行多種宗教性的儀式。本節所賦予的豁免，與 Deuteronomy 20:7 的情形一樣（比較 Deuteronomy 24:5），為期一年。
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
繁體中文
見旁註及參考經文。新栽之樹的果子，四年之內被分別出來，不作平常的用途。
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
繁體中文
其意是說，「官長」那時應將徵集來的兵員再行分編，並為如此構成的較小單位委派統領。
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
繁體中文
這些指示的目的，在防止圍城戰中對生命與財產的恣意破壞。
English original
Directions intended to prevent wanton destruction of life and property in sieges.
16
Deuteronomy 20:16
繁體中文
然而，對迦南諸族卻不可施以寬容，他們要被盡行滅絕（比較申 7:1-4）。這命令並不像適用於人那樣也適用於牲畜（比較書 11:11；書 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
繁體中文
括號中的話可更直譯為「因為人就是田間的樹木」，即人的生命出於田間的樹木，並靠它維持生命（比較申 24:6）。埃及人在戰爭中似乎總是砍伐果樹。
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.
馬匹車輛——東方軍隊中最可畏的成分，迦南人擁有極多；可比較 Joshua 17:16; Judges 4:3; 1 Samuel 13:5。以色列無法以相應的兵力與之抗衡（比較 Deuteronomy 17:16 的註釋及其參考），但既有爭戰的神在他們一邊，就不當因這些而驚惶；這裡的前提是：這戰爭得著神的許可，因而乃是正義之戰。