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.
And what man is there who is engaged to a woman but hasn't married her yet? Let him go back to his house, in case he dies in battle and another man marries her instead.
God is showing compassion by allowing engaged men to return home before battle so they can marry their fiancées rather than risk dying and leaving them to marry someone else.
📚 Historical Context
This verse is part of Moses' instructions about warfare given to the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land. In ancient Israel, betrothal was a formal commitment that was almost as binding as marriage, and it would have been considered tragic for a man to die before completing his wedding. These exemptions from military service showed God's care for personal and family relationships even during times of war.
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