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Deuteronomy 20:5
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3 And he shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel: Today you are on the verge of battle with your enemies. Do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, and do not tremble or be terrified because of them;
4 for the Lord your God is He who goes with you, ato fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’  
5 “Then the officers shall speak to the people, saying: ‘What man is there who has built a new house and has not adedicated it? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man dedicate it.  
6 Also what man is there who has planted a vineyard and has not eaten of it? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man eat of it.
7 aAnd what man is there who is betrothed to a woman and has not married her? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man marry her.’  
8 “The officers shall speak further to the people, and say, a‘What man is there who is fearful and fainthearted? Let him go and return to his house,1 lest the heart of his brethren faint like his heart.’  
9 And so it shall be, when the officers have finished speaking to the people, that they shall make captains of the armies to lead the people.
10 “When you go near a city to fight against it, athen proclaim an offer of peace to it.  
Commentaries:
Adam Clarke
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Deuteronomy 20:5

That hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? - From the title of Psalms 30:1-12, - A Psalm or Song at the Dedication of the House of David - it is evident that it was a custom in Israel to dedicate a new house to God with prayer, praise, and thanksgiving; and this was done in order to secure the Divine presence and blessing, for no pious or sensible man could imagine he could dwell safely in a house that was not under the immediate protection of God. Hence it has been a custom in the most barbarous nations to consecrate a part of a new house to the deity they worshipped. The houses of the inhabitants of Bonny, in Africa, are generally divided into three apartments: one is a kind of state room or parlour; another serves for a common room, or kitchen; and the third is dedicated to the Juju, the serpent god, which they worship; for even those savages believe that in every house their god should have his temple! At the times of dedication among the Jews, besides prayer and praise, a feast was made, to which the relatives and neighbors were invited. Something of this custom is observed in some parts of our own country in what is called warming the house; but in these cases the feasting only is kept up - the prayer and praise forgotten! so that the dedication appears to be rather more to Bacchus than to Jehovah, the author of every good and perfect gift.




Other Adam Clarke entries containing Deuteronomy 20:5:

Deuteronomy 16:18

 

<< Deuteronomy 20:4   Deuteronomy 20:6 >>

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