30/10/2026
THEY OFFERED PEACE… BUT WHAT DID ACCEPTING PEACE REALLY MEAN? DEUTERONOMY 20:10–11”
Many people quote religious scriptures, but sometimes they only share one verse without reading the entire chapter. Today, let’s look at Deuteronomy 20, particularly verses 10–18, and understand what the Bible actually says.
1. FIRST, GOD INSTRUCTS THE ISRAELITES TO OFFER PEACE
Deuteronomy 20:10 (KJV):
“And when thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it.”
Moses was giving instructions to the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land.
They were instructed to approach a city and offer peace before fighting against it.
But what did accepting peace mean?
2. WHAT IF THE CITY ACCEPTED PEACE?
Deuteronomy 20:11 says that if the city accepted the offer and opened its gates, its people would become subject to the Israelites and serve them.
In other words, accepting peace meant submitting to Israel’s authority and paying tribute. It did not mean remaining completely independent.
3. WHAT IF THE CITY REFUSED PEACE?
Deuteronomy 20:12 says that if the city refused peace and chose war, the Israelites were instructed to besiege it.
Then comes something very important.
Deuteronomy 20:13 (KJV):
“And when the LORD thy God hath delivered it into thine hands, thou shalt smite every male thereof with the edge of the sword.”
Deuteronomy 20:14 continues by saying that the women, little children, animals and possessions could be taken as spoils.
Think about what these verses are saying.
The instructions were that every male in the conquered distant city would be killed, while women and children would be spared.
4. BUT SOMETHING EVEN MORE SERIOUS HAPPENS IN VERSES 16–18.
Deuteronomy 20:16 (KJV):
“But of the cities of these people, which the LORD thy God doth give thee for an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth:”
Deuteronomy 20:17 names the nations:
* Hittites
* Amorites
* Canaanites
* Perizzites
* Hivites
* Jebusites
The Israelites were instructed to utterly destroy these nations.
And what reason does verse 18 give?
It says this was to prevent the Israelites from adopting the religious practices and worship of these nations.
In other words, the passage gives religious reasons for the destruction of these populations.
5. WHAT DOES THE WHOLE CHAPTER TEACH US?
Let’s look at the differences:
• If a distant city accepted peace, its people became subject to Israel.
• If a distant city refused peace, its males were to be killed, while women and children were spared.
• If the city belonged to the specified Canaanite nations, the command was to destroy all its inhabitants.
These are not three interpretations. These are the different instructions recorded in Deuteronomy 20 itself.
6. AN IMPORTANT QUESTION FOR EVERYONE TO THINK ABOUT
If we are going to discuss religion, shouldn’t we be willing to read the entire scripture, including the verses that are difficult to explain?
If we ask questions about the Quran, we should also be willing to ask questions about the Bible.
If we expect Muslims to explain the difficult verses of the Quran, we should give Christians the same opportunity to explain the difficult verses of the Bible.
We should not select only the verses that make our religion look good while ignoring the ones that raise difficult questions.
AND ONE MORE THING:
The Quran says in Surah Al-Baqarah 2:190:
“Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you but do not transgress. Indeed, Allah does not like transgressors.”
This verse also deserves to be read in its full context.
My intention is not to insult Christianity, attack Christians or disrespect anyone’s faith.
My intention is to encourage honest reading, knowledge, understanding and respectful discussions.
LET US NOT BE AFRAID OF QUESTIONS. TRUTH SHOULD NEVER NEED US TO HIDE THE SCRIPTURES.
Read the whole chapter. Understand the context. Then have the conversation.
May God guide us all towards truth, wisdom and understanding. ❤️
