Deuteronomy 20:11
“It shall be, if it makes you answer of peace, and opens to you, then it shall be, that all the people who are found therein shall become forced laborers to you, and shall serve you.”
What does Deuteronomy 20:11 mean?
When an Israelite army surrounded a distant city and offered peace terms, this verse describes what happened if the city accepted: the people would become servants and laborers rather than being killed. In the ancient world, this was actually considered a merciful outcome, even though it meant loss of freedom and autonomy for the conquered population. The passage reflects a time when war meant total destruction or enslavement, and accepting surrender terms (rather than fighting to the death) was presented as the more humane choice available within that brutal context. For us today, it's a reminder of how far removed biblical times were from modern ethics, and how God's people were gradually called toward greater compassion over centuries, moving ultimately toward valuing every person's dignity and freedom.