Deuteronomy 3
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
CONQUEST OF OG, KING OF BASHAN. (Deu. 3:1-20) we turned, and went up the way to Bashan--Bashan ("fruitful" or "flat"), now El-Bottein, lay situated to the north of Gilead and extended as far as Hermon. It was a rugged mountainous country, valuable however for its rich and luxuriant pastures. Og the king of Bashan came out against us--Without provocation, he rushed to attack the Israelites, either disliking the presence of such dangerous neighbors, or burning to avenge the overthrow of his friends and allies.
Open source ↗Then we turned and went up the way to Bashan,.... Which seems to have been higher than the kingdom of Sihon: this was a fine country for pasturage, for the breeding of cattle, larger and lesser, and was famous for its oaks: it is the same country which in Josephus and others goes by the name of Batanea: and Og the king of Bashan came out against us; got his forces together, and came out from Ashteroth, the royal city where he dwelt: he and all his people, to battle at Edrei; another city in his kingdom, about six miles from the former; see Deu 1:4.
Open source ↗The Help of God in the Conquest of the Kingdom of Og of Bashan. - Deu 3:1. After the defeat of king Sihon and the conquest of his land, the Israelites were able to advance to the Jordan. But as the powerful Amoritish king Og still held the northern half of Gilead and all Bashan, they proceeded northwards at once and took the road to Bashan, that they might also defeat this king, whom the Lord had likewise given into their hand, and conquer his country (cf. Num 21:33-34). They smote him at Edrei, the modern Dra, without leaving him even a remnant; and took all his towns, i.e., as is here more fully stated in Deu 3:4., "sixty towns, the whole region of Argob, the kingdom of Og in Bashan." These three definitions refer to one and the same country. The whole region of Argob included the sixty towns which formed the kingdom of Og in Bashan, i.e., all the towns of the land of Bashan, viz., (according to Deu 3:5) all the fortified towns, besides the unfortified and open country towns of Bashan. חבל, the chain for measuring, then the land or country measured with the chain. The name "region of Argob," which is given to the country of Bashan here, and in Deu 3:4, Deu 3:13, Deu 3:14, and also in Kg1 4:13, is probably derived from רגוב, stone-heaps, related to רגב, a clump or clod of earth (Job 21:33; Job 38:38). The Targumists have rendered it correctly טרכונא (Trachona), from τραθών, a rough, uneven, stony district, so called from the basaltic hills of Hauran; just as the plain to the east of Jebel Hauran, which resembles Hauran itself, is sometimes called Tellul, from its tells or hills (Burckhardt, Syr. p. 173). (Note: The derivation is a much more improbable one, "from the town of Argob, πρὸς Γέρασαν πόλιν Ἀραβίας, according to the Onomast., fifteen Roman miles to the w…
Open source ↗We have here another brave country delivered into the hand of Israel, that of Bashan; the conquest of Sihon is often mentioned together with that of Og, to the praise of God, the rather because in these Israel's triumphs began, Psa 135:11; Psa 136:19, Psa 136:20. See, I. How they got the mastery of Og, a very formidable prince, 1. Very strong, for he was of the remnant of the giants (Deu 3:11); his personal strength was extraordinary, a monument of which was preserved by the Ammonites in his bedstead, which was shown as a rarity in their chief city. You might guess at his weight by the materials of his bedstead; it was iron, as if a bedstead of wood were too weak for him to trust to: and you might guess at his stature by the dimensions of it; it was nine cubits long and four cubits broad, which, supposing a cubit to be but half a yard (and some learned men have made it appear to be somewhat more), was four yards and a half long, and two yards broad; and if we allow his bedstead to be two cubits longer than himself, and that is as much as we need allow, he was three yards and a half high, double the stature of an ordinary man, and every way proportionable, yet they smote him, Deu 3:3. Note, when God pleads his people's cause he can deal with giants as with grasshoppers. No man's might can secure him against the Almighty. The army of Og was very powerful, for he had the command of sixty fortified cities, besides the unwalled towns, Deu 3:5. Yet all this was nothing before God's Israel, when they came with commission to destroy him. 2. He was very bold and daring: He came out against Israel to battle, Deu 3:1. It was wonderful that he did not take warning by the ruin of Sihon, and send to desire conditions of peace; but he trusted to his own strength, and so was hardened t…
Open source ↗3:1-11 See Num 21:33-35.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
פָּנָה (pânâh, H6437) — to turn; by implication, to face, i.e. appear, look, etc. עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb בָּשָׁן (Bâshân, H1316) — Bashan (often with the article), a region East of the Jordan עוֹג (ʻÔwg, H5747) — Og, a king of Bashan מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… קִרְאָה (qirʼâh, H7125) — an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh, H4421) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare) אֶדְרֶעִי (ʼedreʻîy, H154) — Edrei, the name of two places in Palestine
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3372) — to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application סִיחוֹן (Çîychôwn, H5511) — Sichon, an Amoritish king מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אֱמֹרִי (ʼĔmôrîy, H567) — an Emorite, one of the Canaanitish tribes יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… חֶשְׁבּוֹן (Cheshbôwn, H2809) — Cheshbon, a place East of the Jordan
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), עוֹג (ʻÔwg, H5747) — Og, a king of Bashan מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king בָּשָׁן (Bâshân, H1316) — Bashan (often with the article), a region East of the Jordan עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) שָׁאַר (shâʼar, H7604) — properly, to swell up, i.e. be (causatively, make) redundant שָׂרִיד (sârîyd, H8300) — a survivor
Open source ↗לָכַד (lâkad, H3920) — to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by… עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… עֵת (ʻêth, H6256) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc. קִרְיָה (qiryâh, H7151) — building; a city לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) שִׁשִּׁים (shishshîym, H8346) — sixty חֶבֶל (chebel, H2256) — a rope (as twisted), especially a measuring line; by implication, a district or… אַרְגֹּב (ʼArgôb, H709) — Argob, a district of Palestine מַמְלָכָה (mamlâkâh, H4467) — dominion, i.e. (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm) עוֹג (ʻÔwg, H5747) — Og, a king of Bashan בָּשָׁן (Bâshân, H1316) — Bashan (often with the article), a region East of the Jordan
Open source ↗עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… בָּצַר (bâtsar, H1219) — to gather grapes; also to be isolated (i.e. inaccessible by height or fortification) גָּבֹהַּ (gâbôahh, H1364) — elevated (or elated), powerful, arrogant חוֹמָה (chôwmâh, H2346) — a wall of protection דֶּלֶת (deleth, H1817) — something swinging, i.e. the valve of adoor בְּרִיחַ (bᵉrîyach, H1280) — a bolt פְּרָזִי (pᵉrâzîy, H6521) — a rustic מְאֹד (mᵉʼôd, H3966) — properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication,… רָבָה (râbâh, H7235) — to increase (in whatever respect)
Open source ↗חָרַם (châram, H2763) — to seclude; specifically (by a ban) to devote to religious uses (especially destruction);… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application סִיחוֹן (Çîychôwn, H5511) — Sichon, an Amoritish king מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king חֶשְׁבּוֹן (Cheshbôwn, H2809) — Cheshbon, a place East of the Jordan מַת (math, H4962) — properly, an adult (as of full length); by implication, a man (only in the plural) אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman טַף (ṭaph, H2945) — a family (mostly used collectively in the singular) עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere…
Open source ↗בְּהֵמָה (bᵉhêmâh, H929) — properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective) שָׁלָל (shâlâl, H7998) — booty עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… בָּזַז (bâzaz, H962) — to plunder
Open source ↗לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) עֵת (ʻêth, H6256) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc. יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אֱמֹרִי (ʼĔmôrîy, H567) — an Emorite, one of the Canaanitish tribes אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) עֵבֶר (ʻêber, H5676) — properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on… יַרְדֵּן (Yardên, H3383) — Jarden, the principal river of Palestine נַחַל (nachal, H5158) — a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a… אַרְנוֹן (ʼArnôwn, H769) — the Arnon, a river east of the Jordan, also its territory הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) חֶרְמוֹן (Chermôwn, H2768) — Chermon, a mount of Palestine
Open source ↗חֶרְמוֹן (Chermôwn, H2768) — Chermon, a mount of Palestine צִידֹנִי (Tsîydônîy, H6722) — a Tsidonian or inhabitant of Tsidon קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… שִׁרְיוֹן (Shiryôwn, H8303) — Shirjon or Sirjon, a peak of the Lebanon אֱמֹרִי (ʼĔmôrîy, H567) — an Emorite, one of the Canaanitish tribes שְׁנִיר (Shᵉnîyr, H8149) — Shenir or Senir, a summit of Lebanon
Open source ↗עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… מִישׁוֹר (mîyshôwr, H4334) — a level, i.e. a plain (often used (with the article prefix) as a proper name of certain… גִּלְעָד (Gilʻâd, H1568) — Gilad, a region East of the Jordan; also the name of three Israelites בָּשָׁן (Bâshân, H1316) — Bashan (often with the article), a region East of the Jordan סַלְכָה (Çalkâh, H5548) — Salcah, a place East of the Jordan אֶדְרֶעִי (ʼedreʻîy, H154) — Edrei, the name of two places in Palestine מַמְלָכָה (mamlâkâh, H4467) — dominion, i.e. (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm) עוֹג (ʻÔwg, H5747) — Og, a king of Bashan
Open source ↗עוֹג (ʻÔwg, H5747) — Og, a king of Bashan מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king בָּשָׁן (Bâshân, H1316) — Bashan (often with the article), a region East of the Jordan שָׁאַר (shâʼar, H7604) — properly, to swell up, i.e. be (causatively, make) redundant יֶתֶר (yether, H3499) — properly, an overhanging, i.e. (by implication) an excess, superiority, remainder; also a… רָפָא (râphâʼ, H7497) — a giant עֶרֶשׂ (ʻeres, H6210) — a couch (properly, with a canopy) בַּרְזֶל (barzel, H1270) — iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement לֹא (lôʼ, H3808) — not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles רַבָּה (Rabbâh, H7237) — Rabbah, the name of two places in Palestine, East and West בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… עַמּוֹן (ʻAmmôwn, H5983) — Ammon, a son of Lot; also his posterity and their country תֵּשַׁע (têshaʻ, H8672) — nine or (ordinal) ninth אַמָּה (ʼammâh, H520) — properly, a mother (i.e. unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e. a…
Open source ↗אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) יָרַשׁ (yârash, H3423) — to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by… עֵת (ʻêth, H6256) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc. עֲרוֹעֵר (ʻĂrôwʻêr, H6177) — Aroer, the name of three places in or near Palestine נַחַל (nachal, H5158) — a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a… אַרְנוֹן (ʼArnôwn, H769) — the Arnon, a river east of the Jordan, also its territory חֵצִי (chêtsîy, H2677) — the half or middle הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) גִּלְעָד (Gilʻâd, H1568) — Gilad, a region East of the Jordan; also the name of three Israelites עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) רְאוּבֵנִי (Rᵉʼûwbênîy, H7206) — a Reubenite or descendant of Reuben גָּדִי (Gâdîy, H1425) — a Gadite (collectively) or descendants of Gad
Open source ↗יֶתֶר (yether, H3499) — properly, an overhanging, i.e. (by implication) an excess, superiority, remainder; also a… גִּלְעָד (Gilʻâd, H1568) — Gilad, a region East of the Jordan; also the name of three Israelites בָּשָׁן (Bâshân, H1316) — Bashan (often with the article), a region East of the Jordan מַמְלָכָה (mamlâkâh, H4467) — dominion, i.e. (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm) עוֹג (ʻÔwg, H5747) — Og, a king of Bashan נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) חֵצִי (chêtsîy, H2677) — the half or middle שֵׁבֶט (shêbeṭ, H7626) — a scion, i.e. (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking,… מְנַשֶּׁה (Mᵉnashsheh, H4519) — Menashsheh, a grandson of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory חֶבֶל (chebel, H2256) — a rope (as twisted), especially a measuring line; by implication, a district or… אַרְגֹּב (ʼArgôb, H709) — Argob, a district of Palestine הוּא (hûwʼ, H1931) — he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self,… קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Open source ↗יָאִיר (Yâʼîyr, H2971) — Jair, the name of four Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… מְנַשֶּׁה (Mᵉnashsheh, H4519) — Menashsheh, a grandson of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) חֶבֶל (chebel, H2256) — a rope (as twisted), especially a measuring line; by implication, a district or… אַרְגֹּב (ʼArgôb, H709) — Argob, a district of Palestine גְּבוּל (gᵉbûwl, H1366) — properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e. (by implication) a boundary; by extension the… גְּשׁוּרִי (Gᵉshûwrîy, H1651) — a Geshurite (also collectively) or inhabitants of Geshur מַעֲכָתִי (Maʻăkâthîy, H4602) — a Maakathite, or inhabitant of Maakah קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… בָּשָׁן (Bâshân, H1316) — Bashan (often with the article), a region East of the Jordan חַוּוֹת יָעִיר (Chavvôwth Yâʻîyr, H2334) — hamlets of Jair, a region of Palestine יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to…
Open source ↗Cross-references
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This was after he had defeated Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon, and then at Edrei had defeated Og king of Bashan, who lived in Ashtaroth.
When you reached this place, Sihon king of Heshbon and Og king of Bashan came out against us in battle, but we defeated them.
and Og king of Bashan— His loving devotion endures forever.
and all that He did to the two kings of the Amorites beyond the Jordan—Sihon king of Heshbon and Og king of Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth.
The territory from Mahanaim through all Bashan—all the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, including all the towns of Jair that are in Bashan, sixty cities;
And the LORD will do to them as He did to Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites, when He destroyed them along with their land.
You gave them kingdoms and peoples and allotted to them every corner of the land. So they took the land of Sihon king of Heshbon and of Og king of Bashan.
They took possession of the land belonging to Sihon and to Og king of Bashan—the two Amorite kings across the Jordan to the east—
Geber son of Uri in the land of Gilead, including the territories of Sihon king of the Amorites and of Og king of Bashan. There was also one governor in the land of Judah.
And Og king of Bashan, one of the remnant of the Rephaim, who lived in Ashtaroth and Edrei.