Norwegian 2018 (Bibelen - Guds Ord Hverdagsbibelen (Hermon Forlag))
Men hvis byen ikke vil slutte fred med dere, men vil krige mot dere, skal dere innta byen. Når Herren deres Gud overgir byen til dere, skal dere slå ned alle menn med sverd. Men kvinnene, barna, husdyrene og alt som ellers er i byen, skal dere selv ta som bytte. Dere skal gjøre nytte av byttet fra fiendene deres, for det er gitt dere fra Herren deres Gud. Slik skal dere gjøre med alle byene som ligger langt borte fra dere. Men i de byene som Herren har gitt dere, skal du ikke la noe som puster, bli igjen i live.
What Does This Mean?
This verse is about war. Moses is giving instructions to the Israelites. If a city refuses to make peace and instead chooses to fight, then the Israelites are to besiege it.
Explained for Children
Imagine you're playing a game where you can make a friend or fight them. If they choose to fight instead of being friends, you have to follow the rules and keep playing the game until they decide to stop fighting.
Historical Background
Moses wrote this part of Deuteronomy around 1200 BCE, addressing the Israelites as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. The cultural context was one of warfare and conquest, common among ancient civilizations.
Living It Out Today
In modern times, this can be seen as a principle for conflict resolution. If someone is unwilling to negotiate or compromise, sometimes the only option is to prepare for a confrontation, much like in business negotiations or personal disputes.
Moses is speaking to the Israelites, giving them instructions about warfare and peace.
What does it mean to besiege a city?
To besiege a city means to surround it, cutting off supplies and reinforcements, forcing the city to surrender or suffer.
How does this verse relate to the concept of peace?
This verse emphasizes the importance of seeking peace first. Only if peace cannot be achieved through negotiations does one proceed to military action.
Why is this verse important for understanding biblical warfare?
This verse shows that biblical warfare was not about aggression but about self-defense and ensuring peace after conflict.