Deu 20:19 | NET2full | STEP | If you besiege a city for a long time while attempting to capture it, you must not chop down its trees , for you may eat fruit from them and should not cut them down . A tree in the field is not human that you should besiege it!

‏ Deuteronomy 20:19

19 If you besiege a city for a long time while attempting to capture it, ^{▼▼tn Heb “to fight against it to capture it.”} you must not chop down its trees, ^{▼▼tn Heb “you must not destroy its trees by chopping them with an iron” (i.e., an ax).} for you may eat fruit ^{▼▼tn Heb “you may eat from them.” The direct object is not expressed; the word “fruit” is supplied in the translation for clarity.} from them and should not cut them down. A tree in the field is not human that you should besiege it! ^{▼▼tn Heb “to go before you in siege.”}