Deuteronomy 20:4
New International Version
For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”

New Living Translation
For the LORD your God is going with you! He will fight for you against your enemies, and he will give you victory!’

English Standard Version
for the LORD your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.’

Berean Standard Bible
For the LORD your God goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.”

Berean Literal Bible
For YHWH your⁺ God is He who goes with you⁺ to fight for you⁺ against your⁺ enemies, to save you⁺.”

King James Bible
For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.

New King James Version
for the LORD your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’

New American Standard Bible
for the LORD your God is the One who is going with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’

NASB 1995
for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’

NASB 1977
for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’

Legacy Standard Bible
for Yahweh your God is the one who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’

Amplified Bible
for the LORD your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’

Berean Annotated Bible
For the LORD your⁺ God {YHWH Eloheikem} goes with you⁺ to fight for you⁺ against your⁺ enemies, to give you⁺ the victory.

Christian Standard Bible
For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.’

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For the LORD your God is the One who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.’”

American Standard Version
for Jehovah your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.

Contemporary English Version
The LORD your God will fight alongside you and help you win the battle."

English Revised Version
for the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The LORD your God is going with you. He will fight for you against your enemies and give you victory."

Good News Translation
The LORD your God is going with you, and he will give you victory.'

International Standard Version
For the LORD your God will be with you, fighting on your behalf against your enemies in order to grant you victory.'

NET Bible
for the LORD your God goes with you to fight on your behalf against your enemies to give you victory."

New Heart English Bible
for the LORD your God is he who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you."

Webster's Bible Translation
For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
For the LORD your God goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.”

World English Bible
for Yahweh your God is he who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for your God YHWH [is] He who is going with you, to fight for you with your enemies—to save you.

Berean Literal Bible
For YHWH your⁺ God is He who goes with you⁺ to fight for you⁺ against your⁺ enemies, to save you⁺.”

Young's Literal Translation
for Jehovah your God is He who is going with you, to fight for you with your enemies -- to save you.

Smith's Literal Translation
For Jehovah your God goes with you to war with you against your enemies, to save you.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Because the Lord your God is in the midst of you, and will fight for you against your enemies, to deliver you from danger.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For the Lord your God is in your midst, and he will contend against your enemies on your behalf, so that he may rescue you from peril.’

New American Bible
For it is the LORD, your God, who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies and give you victory.”

New Revised Standard Version
for it is the LORD your God who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to give you victory.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For the LORD your God is he that goes with you, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, and it is he who shall fight for you with your enemies, and he shall save you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because LORD JEHOVAH your God goes with you, who brought you up from the land of Egypt, and he fought for your persons with your enemies and he saved you'.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
for the LORD your God is He that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For it is the Lord your God who advances with you, to fight with you against your enemies, and to save you.

Additional Translations ...



Context
Laws of Warfare
3saying to them, “Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle with your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be alarmed or terrified because of them. 4For the LORD your God goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.” 5Furthermore, the officers are to address the army, saying, “Has any man built a new house and not dedicated it? Let him return home, or he may die in battle and another man dedicate it.…

Cross References
For the LORD your God

Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Deuteronomy 7:21
Do not be terrified by them, for the LORD your God, who is among you, is a great and awesome God.
goes with you

Deuteronomy 31:8
The LORD Himself goes before you; He will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.”

Exodus 33:14
And the LORD answered, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Genesis 28:15
Look, I am with you, and I will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
to fight for you

Joshua 23:10
One of you can put a thousand to flight, because the LORD your God fights for you, just as He promised.

Deuteronomy 3:22
Do not be afraid of them, for the LORD your God Himself will fight for you.”

Exodus 14:14
The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
against your enemies,

Exodus 23:22
But if you will listen carefully to his voice and do everything I say, I will be an enemy to your enemies and a foe to your foes.

Deuteronomy 28:7
The LORD will cause the enemies who rise up against you to be defeated before you. They will march out against you in one direction but flee from you in seven.

Psalm 18:40
You have made my enemies retreat before me; I destroyed those who hated me.
to give you the victory.”

1 Corinthians 15:57
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

1 John 5:4
because everyone born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith.

Romans 8:37
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
Romans 8:31
What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?


Treasury of Scripture

For the LORD your God is he that goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.

to fight

Deuteronomy 1:30
The LORD your God which goeth before you, he shall fight for you, according to all that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes;

Deuteronomy 3:22
Ye shall not fear them: for the LORD your God he shall fight for you.

Deuteronomy 11:25
There shall no man be able to stand before you: for the LORD your God shall lay the fear of you and the dread of you upon all the land that ye shall tread upon, as he hath said unto you.

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Enemies Salvation Save Victory
Deuteronomy 20
1. The priest's exhortation to encourage the people to battle
5. The officers' proclamation of who are to be dismissed from the war
10. How to use the cities that accept or refuse the proclamation of peace
16. What cities must be devoted
19. Trees must not be destroyed in the siege












For the LORD your God

Israel’s confidence rested in YHWH, the covenant God who redeemed them from Egypt and bound Himself to them as His people. No surrounding nation’s gods could rival the Lord who created heaven and earth and faithfully kept His promises.

Deu 31:6 Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified…
Jos 1:9 Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous?…
Deu 7:21 Do not be terrified by them, for the LORD your God…

goes with you

God’s presence had accompanied Israel through the wilderness in the pillar of cloud and fire, in the tabernacle, and through His appointed leaders. The army did not march alone into Canaan; the Lord remained with His people as He had promised Moses and would later assure Joshua.

Deu 31:8 The LORD Himself goes before you; He will be with you.…
Exo 33:14 And the LORD answered, “My Presence will go with you…”…
Gen 28:15 Look, I am with you, and I will watch over you wherever you go…

to fight for you

Israel’s victories depended upon divine power rather than military strength, numbers, horses, or weapons. Jericho, Midian, and later battles under Joshua demonstrated that the Lord could overthrow enemies by means that displayed His authority and required His people’s obedience.

Jos 23:10 One of you can put a thousand to flight,…
Deu 3:22 Do not be afraid of them, for the LORD your God…
Exo 14:14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

against your enemies,

The nations opposing Israel stood in the path of God’s promised inheritance and resisted His righteous purposes. Israel’s warfare in Canaan belonged to a unique period of divine judgment upon persistent idolatry and wickedness, carried out under God’s direct command.

Exo 23:22 But if you will listen carefully to his voice…
Deu 28:7 The LORD will cause the enemies who rise up against you…
Psa 18:40 You have made my enemies retreat before me;…

to give you the victory.”

The Lord gives deliverance to those who trust and obey Him. Israel’s promised triumph pointed beyond earthly battles to the greater victory secured by Christ over sin, death, and the powers of darkness.

1Co 15:57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory…
1Jn 5:4 because everyone born of God overcomes the world.…
Rom 8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors…

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who is characterized by His faithfulness and power. He is the central figure in this verse, promising His presence and assistance in battle.

2. Israelites
The chosen people of God, who are being prepared to enter the Promised Land. They are the recipients of God's promise of victory over their enemies.

3. Enemies
The opposing nations and forces that the Israelites would face as they enter and take possession of the Promised Land.

4. Promised Land
The land of Canaan, which God promised to Abraham and his descendants. It represents God's faithfulness to His promises.

5. Moses
The leader of the Israelites at this time, who is delivering God's instructions and encouragement to the people.
Teaching Points
God's Presence in Battle
Just as God promised to be with the Israelites, He is with us in our spiritual battles today. We can trust in His presence and power to overcome challenges.

Divine Victory
Victory is assured not by our own strength but by God's intervention. We should rely on His power rather than our abilities.

Faith Over Fear
The assurance of God's presence should dispel fear. We are called to face our "enemies" with confidence, knowing God fights for us.

Covenant Faithfulness
God's promise to fight for Israel is rooted in His covenant faithfulness. We can trust in His promises, as He is unchanging and faithful.

Spiritual Warfare
This verse can be applied to spiritual warfare, reminding us that our struggles are not against flesh and blood, and God equips us for victory.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 20:4?

2. How does Deuteronomy 20:4 encourage us to trust God in our battles?

3. What does "He goes with you" reveal about God's presence in our lives?

4. How can we apply "to fight for you" in our daily spiritual struggles?

5. Which other scriptures emphasize God's role in delivering His people from enemies?

6. How does understanding God's promise in Deuteronomy 20:4 strengthen our faith today?

7. How does Deuteronomy 20:4 reflect God's role in battles and conflicts?

8. What historical context surrounds Deuteronomy 20:4's message of divine support in war?

9. How does Deuteronomy 20:4 influence the understanding of God's presence in personal struggles?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 20?


What Does Deuteronomy 20:4 Mean
For the LORD your God

- The verse begins by identifying the One who stands behind the promise: “the LORD your God.”

• This title links back to the covenant name revealed in Exodus 3:14 and reminds Israel of the God who delivered them from Egypt (Exodus 20:2).

• Cross-reference: “Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God, keeping His covenant of loving devotion…” (Deuteronomy 7:9).

- The emphasis is on a personal relationship—He is not just “a” god; He is “your” God.

• This personal ownership echoes Psalm 23:1, “The LORD is my shepherd…”, underscoring daily dependence on Him.


goes with you

- God’s presence is not distant or symbolic; He literally accompanies His people into every situation.

• Cross-reference: “The LORD Himself goes before you; He will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:8).

- Practical takeaways

• We never face a challenge alone (Psalm 46:1).

• God’s nearness is a continual reality, not merely a comfort on special occasions (Matthew 28:20).


to fight for you against your enemies

- God is not a passive observer; He actively engages in the battle on behalf of His people.

• Cross-reference: “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still” (Exodus 14:14).

• In Joshua 10:10–11, the LORD threw the enemy into confusion and even hurled hailstones—clear evidence that the battle truly belonged to Him.

- Key implications

• Victory is rooted in divine power, not human strategy (Psalm 20:7).

• Believers can stand firm, knowing the real conflict is the Lord’s (2 Chronicles 20:15).


to give you the victory

- God’s purpose in fighting is not merely defensive; He aims to hand over a decisive triumph.

• Cross-reference: “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57).

- What “victory” looks like

• Tangible wins—Israel would enter, occupy, and enjoy the land promised (Deuteronomy 11:24).

• Spiritual wins—today, believers overcome sin, fear, and opposition (Romans 8:37).

- Practical response

• Walk in confidence, not presumption—trusting the One who guarantees the outcome (Proverbs 3:5-6).

• Celebrate victories as testimonies of God’s faithfulness (Psalm 118:15).


summary

Deuteronomy 20:4 assures God’s people that the covenant-keeping LORD personally accompanies them, takes up their battles, and guarantees their triumph. Because He goes with us, fights for us, and hands us the victory, we can live courageously, rest in His power, and celebrate every win as proof of His unfailing faithfulness.

(4) For the Lord your God is he that goeth with you.—“They come in the might of flesh and blood; but ye come in the might of the Eternal” (Rashi). So David to Goliath: “Thou comest to me with a sword and with a spear, and with a shield; but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied” (1Samuel 17:45). And so the Psalmist: “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God” (Psalm 20:7).



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
For
כִּ֚י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the LORD
יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

your God
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם (’ĕ·lō·hê·ḵem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

[is] He who goes
הַהֹלֵ֖ךְ (ha·hō·lêḵ)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

with you
עִמָּכֶ֑ם (‘im·mā·ḵem)
Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

to fight
לְהִלָּחֵ֥ם (lə·hil·lā·ḥêm)
Preposition-l | Verb - Nifal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3898: To feed on, to consume, to battle

for you
לָכֶ֛ם (lā·ḵem)
Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

against
עִם־ (‘im-)
Preposition
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

your enemies,
אֹיְבֵיכֶ֖ם (’ō·yə·ḇê·ḵem)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 341: Hating, an adversary

to give you the victory.”
לְהוֹשִׁ֥יעַ (lə·hō·wō·šî·a‘)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3467: To be open, wide, free, to be safe, to free, succor


Additonal Resources
Deuteronomy 20:4 Blue Letter Bible
Deuteronomy 20:4 Bible Gateway
Deuteronomy 20:4 Bible.com

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Deuteronomy 20:4 Study Bible
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Deuteronomy 20:4 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Deuteronomy 20:4 For Yahweh your God is he who (Deut. De Du)

Deuteronomy 20:3
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