I started to read your link, thanks.
Rather too long I'm afraid for this time of night.
I did stop after I thought the writers apologetics were being stretched too far; I got the point about 'fight' not necessarily suggesting a physical fight but his argument was rather undermined by the fact that the 3 translations he cited still contained the words 'subdued', 'pay the tribute', 'brought low' and 'pay the tax in acknowledgment of superiority and they are in a state of subjection.'

It still sounds like an expansionist, imperialist and totalitarian edict.

:)