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908 B
908 B
General Information:
Moses says what the army officers must say to the people of Israel before a battle. In ancient Israel, men were excused from fighting in battle for several different reasons. Some of these reasons are mentioned in this chapter. Apparently, needing to establish a new house, the need to harvest a field and cowardice were possible excuses.
The officers must speak
One of the officers' jobs was to decide who could leave the army.
What man is there ... Let him go and return to his house
"If any soldier here has built a new house and has not dedicated it, he should go back to his house". The questions are intended to tell the readers that Yahweh only wants soldiers who are completely dedicated to fighting for him.
so that he does not die in battle and another man dedicates it
"so that he will not die in battle, because if he dies, another man could dedicate it"