Deuteronomy 20

“When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be…” Naming Egypt keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it shall be, when ye are come nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people,” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And the officers shall speak unto the people, saying, What man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And what man is he that hath planted a vineyard, and hath not yet eaten of it? let him also go and return unto his…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And what man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? let him go and return unto his house, lest…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And the officers shall speak further unto the people, and they shall say, What man is there that is fearful and…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And it shall be, when the officers have made an end of speaking unto the people, that they shall make captains of the…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it.” The line’s distinctive content terms include city, comest, fight. Its relationship to verses 9 and 11 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And it shall be, if it make thee answer of peace, and open unto thee, then it shall be, that all the people that is…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And if it will make no peace with thee, but will make war against thee, then thou shalt besiege it:” The line’s distinctive content terms include besiege, peace. Its relationship to verses 11 and 13 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And when the LORD thy God hath delivered it into thine hands, thou shalt smite every male thereof with the edge of the…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“But the women, and the little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, even all the spoil thereof, shalt…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“Thus shalt thou do unto all the cities which are very far off from thee, which are not of the cities of these nations.” The line’s distinctive content terms include cities, nations. Its relationship to verses 16 shows what work it does in this passage.

“But of the cities of these people, which the LORD thy God doth give thee for an inheritance, thou shalt save alive…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“But thou shalt utterly destroy them; namely, the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“That they teach you not to do after all their abominations, which they have done unto their gods; so should ye sin…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“When thou shalt besiege a city a long time, in making war against it to take it, thou shalt not destroy the trees…” The line’s distinctive content terms include besiege, city, destroy. Its relationship to verses 18 and 20 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Only the trees which thou knowest that they be not trees for meat, thou shalt destroy and cut them down; and thou…” Naming Only keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.