What does Deuteronomy 21:10 mean?

"¶ When thou goest forth to war against thine enemies, and the LORD thy God hath delivered them into thine hands, and thou hast taken them captive," - Deuteronomy 21:10

Deuteronomy 21:10 - "¶ When thou goest forth to war against thine enemies, and the LORD thy God hath delivered them into thine hands, and thou hast taken them captive,"

Deuteronomy 21:10 - "¶ When thou goest forth to war against thine enemies, and the LORD thy God hath delivered them into thine hands, and thou hast taken them captive,"

Deuteronomy 21:10 in the King James Version (KJV) states: "When thou goest forth to war against thine enemies, and the Lord thy God hath delivered them into thine hands, and thou hast taken them captive."

This verse is part of the Book of Deuteronomy, which is the fifth book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament. It is attributed to Moses, who is believed to have written the first five books of the Bible. Deuteronomy is essentially a series of speeches given by Moses shortly before the Israelites were to enter the Promised Land. It serves as a review of the Law and an exhortation to faithfulness and obedience.

The verse in question addresses the scenario of going to war against enemies and the outcome of victory. It begins with the assumption that the Israelites will go to war, and the implication is that this war is fought with the backing and approval of God. In this verse, the Israelites are encouraged to trust that God will deliver their enemies into their hands, thus allowing them to take them captive. It is important to note that the emphasis here is on the fact that it is the Lord who delivers the enemies into the hands of the Israelites, emphasizing their reliance on God's providence and ultimate victory.

One theme evident in this verse is the theme of divine intervention and victory. The Israelites are reminded to put their trust and faith in God's ability to deliver them from their enemies. This reflects the broader theme of faithfulness and obedience to God, which is a central message throughout the Book of Deuteronomy. The verse also highlights the idea of God as a powerful and decisive force in the lives of the Israelites, demonstrating His authority and ability to ensure their success in battle.

Another significant theme is that of justice and obedience to God's will. The verse implies that the Israelites are only justified in taking their enemies captive when it is in accordance with God's plan and following His deliverance. This serves as a reminder that their actions in war should be guided by God's will and aligned with His purposes. It emphasizes the fundamental importance of obedience to God's commands and the need for the Israelites to remain faithful to their covenant with Him.

The context of this verse is also important to consider. The Israelites were a people who were constantly engaged in battle and faced numerous enemies as they sought to establish themselves in the land God had promised to them. Thus, this verse would have provided them with assurance and encouragement in the face of conflict and adversity. It served as a reminder of God's presence and provision, as well as a call to obedience and trust in Him.

Symbolism can also be found in this verse. The idea of God delivering the enemies into the hands of the Israelites can be seen as symbolic of the broader theme of God's provision and protection. The act of taking their enemies captive can also be interpreted as a metaphor for overcoming the challenges and obstacles that the Israelites faced in their journey. It serves as a reminder that their victories in war were ultimately a result of God's intervention and that they should give Him the credit for their success.

In conclusion, Deuteronomy 21:10 conveys important themes of faith, obedience, divine intervention, and victory. It emphasizes the need for the Israelites to trust in God's deliverance and to remain faithful to His commands, particularly in the context of warfare. The verse would have provided the Israelites with reassurance and guidance as they navigated the challenges of entering and establishing themselves in the Promised Land. Overall, this verse serves as a powerful reminder of the Israelites' dependence on God and the importance of aligning their actions with His will.

Deuteronomy 21:10 Artwork

Deuteronomy 21:10 - "¶ When thou goest forth to war against thine enemies, and the LORD thy God hath delivered them into thine hands, and thou hast taken them captive,"

Deuteronomy 21:10 - "¶ When thou goest forth to war against thine enemies, and the LORD thy God hath delivered them into thine hands, and thou hast taken them captive,"

Deuteronomy 10:21 - "He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen."

Deuteronomy 10:21 - "He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen."

Nehemiah 10:21 - "Meshezabeel, Zadok, Jaddua,"

Nehemiah 10:21 - "Meshezabeel, Zadok, Jaddua,"

Deuteronomy 22:10 - "¶ Thou shalt not plow with an ox and an ass together."

Deuteronomy 22:10 - "¶ Thou shalt not plow with an ox and an ass together."

Deuteronomy 10:16 - "Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked."

Deuteronomy 10:16 - "Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked."

Deuteronomy 27:21 - "Cursed be he that lieth with any manner of beast. And all the people shall say, Amen."

Deuteronomy 27:21 - "Cursed be he that lieth with any manner of beast. And all the people shall say, Amen."

Hebrews 10:21 - "And having an high priest over the house of God;"

Hebrews 10:21 - "And having an high priest over the house of God;"

Deuteronomy 10:19 - "Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt."

Deuteronomy 10:19 - "Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt."

Numbers 21:10 - "¶ And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in Oboth."

Numbers 21:10 - "¶ And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in Oboth."

Deuteronomy 7:21 - "Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the LORD thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible."

Deuteronomy 7:21 - "Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the LORD thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible."

Deuteronomy 21:7 - "And they shall answer and say, Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it."

Deuteronomy 21:7 - "And they shall answer and say, Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it."

Deuteronomy 18:21 - "And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken?"

Deuteronomy 18:21 - "And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken?"

Deuteronomy 21:21 - "And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear."

Deuteronomy 21:21 - "And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear."

Deuteronomy 14:10 - "And whatsoever hath not fins and scales ye may not eat; it is unclean unto you."

Deuteronomy 14:10 - "And whatsoever hath not fins and scales ye may not eat; it is unclean unto you."

Deuteronomy 5:10 - "And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments."

Deuteronomy 5:10 - "And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments."

Deuteronomy 2:10 - "The Emims dwelt therein in times past, a people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakims;"

Deuteronomy 2:10 - "The Emims dwelt therein in times past, a people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakims;"

Deuteronomy 21:22 - "¶ And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree:"

Deuteronomy 21:22 - "¶ And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree:"

Deuteronomy 21:6 - "And all the elders of that city, that are next unto the slain man, shall wash their hands over the heifer that is beheaded in the valley:"

Deuteronomy 21:6 - "And all the elders of that city, that are next unto the slain man, shall wash their hands over the heifer that is beheaded in the valley:"

Ezra 10:21 - "And of the sons of Harim; Maaseiah, and Elijah, and Shemaiah, and Jehiel, and Uzziah."

Ezra 10:21 - "And of the sons of Harim; Maaseiah, and Elijah, and Shemaiah, and Jehiel, and Uzziah."

2 Kings 21:10 - "¶ And the LORD spake by his servants the prophets, saying,"

2 Kings 21:10 - "¶ And the LORD spake by his servants the prophets, saying,"

Deuteronomy 2:21 - "A people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakims; but the LORD destroyed them before them; and they succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead:"

Deuteronomy 2:21 - "A people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakims; but the LORD destroyed them before them; and they succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead:"

Deuteronomy 25:10 - "And his name shall be called in Israel, The house of him that hath his shoe loosed."

Deuteronomy 25:10 - "And his name shall be called in Israel, The house of him that hath his shoe loosed."

Deuteronomy 20:10 - "¶ When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it."

Deuteronomy 20:10 - "¶ When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it."

Deuteronomy 24:21 - "When thou gatherest the grapes of thy vineyard, thou shalt not glean it afterward: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow."

Deuteronomy 24:21 - "When thou gatherest the grapes of thy vineyard, thou shalt not glean it afterward: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow."

Deuteronomy 10:14 - "Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD'S thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is."

Deuteronomy 10:14 - "Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD'S thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is."

Deuteronomy 10:7 - "From thence they journeyed unto Gudgodah; and from Gudgodah to Jotbath, a land of rivers of waters."

Deuteronomy 10:7 - "From thence they journeyed unto Gudgodah; and from Gudgodah to Jotbath, a land of rivers of waters."

Proverbs 10:21 - "The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom."

Proverbs 10:21 - "The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom."

Job 21:10 - "Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf."

Job 21:10 - "Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf."

Deuteronomy 21:12 - "Then thou shalt bring her home to thine house; and she shall shave her head, and pare her nails;"

Deuteronomy 21:12 - "Then thou shalt bring her home to thine house; and she shall shave her head, and pare her nails;"

Deuteronomy 21:11 - "And seest among the captives a beautiful woman, and hast a desire unto her, that thou wouldest have her to thy wife;"

Deuteronomy 21:11 - "And seest among the captives a beautiful woman, and hast a desire unto her, that thou wouldest have her to thy wife;"