And what man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? let him goe and returne vnto his house, lest he die in battell, and another man take her. Deuteronomy 20:7 (KJV)
And what man
is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? let him go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her. Deuteronomy 20:7 (KJV)
Deuteronomy 20:7 belongs to a larger passage that gives Israelite instructions concerning warfare. The verse draws special attention to a man who has become betrothed to a woman but has not yet taken her as a wife. The term “betrothed” denotes the formal engagement agreement in ancient Israel, a period of commitment and preparation that preceded the actual wedding ceremony. During this betrothal the couple did not yet live together or engage in marital relations.
The passage then issues a clear instruction: “let him go and return unto his house.” This means that a man who finds himself in this situation—newly betrothed but not yet having consummated the marriage—is to be exempted from military service. He is permitted to go back to his home and be with his bride‑to‑be rather than face the battlefield.
The reason for the exemption is given in the latter clause: “lest he die in the battle, and another man take her.” The concern is that if the man were to die in combat, another man could potentially take his betrothed wife as his own. The provision therefore safeguards the marriage commitment and seeks to protect the welfare of the engaged couple.
Contextually, the verse reflects Israel’s legal and moral framework, emphasizing that even in times of conflict the sanctity of the marital bond is to be honored. It serves as a reminder of God’s concern for human relationships, particularly the covenant between husband and wife, and highlights the compassionate care afforded to those at the early stage of their marital journey.
