Deuteronomy 20:19 · KJV
"When thou shalt besiege a city a long time, in making war against it to take it, thou shalt not destroy the trees thereof by forcing an axe against them: for thou mayest eat of them, and thou shalt not cut them down (for the tree of the field is man's life) to employ them in the siege:"
King James Version
What does Deuteronomy 20:19 mean? →Passage Context
17But thou shalt utterly destroy them; namely, the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee:
18That they teach you not to do after all their abominations, which they have done unto their gods; so should ye sin against the LORD your God.
19When thou shalt besiege a city a long time, in making war against it to take it, thou shalt not destroy the trees thereof by forcing an axe against them: for thou mayest eat of them, and thou shalt not cut them down (for the tree of the field is man's life) to employ them in the siege:
20Only the trees which thou knowest that they be not trees for meat, thou shalt destroy and cut them down; and thou shalt build bulwarks against the city that maketh war with thee, until it be subdued.
Reflection Questions
1
How do you view the balance between destruction and preservation in conflict?
2
What does this verse teach you about the value of resources?
3
When have you had to make a difficult decision regarding what to preserve?
Life Application
environment
Consider how your actions impact the environment around you. Are there areas where you can practice conservation?
conflict
In conflicts, think about what can be preserved rather than destroyed. Seek solutions that maintain relationships and resources.
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