The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 20:8

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

The shoterim were also to allow any that were naturally timid and fainthearted to return to their homes, lest, if they remained with the host, others, infected by them, should lose courage and become unfit for service.

His brethren's heart faint; literally, flow down or melt (cf. Joshua 7:5). In Deuteronomy 1:28, this verb is rendered by "discouraged."

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