Deuteronomy 3 1

Deuteronomy 3:1 kjv

Then we turned, and went up the way to Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan came out against us, he and all his people, to battle at Edrei.

Deuteronomy 3:1 nkjv

"Then we turned and went up the road to Bashan; and Og king of Bashan came out against us, he and all his people, to battle at Edrei.

Deuteronomy 3:1 niv

Next we turned and went up along the road toward Bashan, and Og king of Bashan with his whole army marched out to meet us in battle at Edrei.

Deuteronomy 3:1 esv

"Then we turned and went up the way to Bashan. And Og the king of Bashan came out against us, he and all his people, to battle at Edrei.

Deuteronomy 3:1 nlt

"Next we turned and headed for the land of Bashan, where King Og and his entire army attacked us at Edrei.

Deuteronomy 3 1 Cross References

VerseTextReference
Deut 2:32"...the LORD our God delivered him over to us, and we struck him down..."Preceding victory over Sihon, establishing God's delivering power.
Num 21:33-35"Then they turned and went up by the way of Bashan. And Og... went out against them, he and all his people..."Parallel account of Og's defeat.
Gen 12:7"To your offspring I will give this land."God's original promise of the land to Abram's descendants.
Gen 15:18"...to your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates..."Expands on the scope of the promised land.
Ex 3:8"I have come down to deliver them... to bring them up... to a land flowing with milk and honey..."God's stated purpose to deliver and give them the land.
Deut 1:29-30"Do not be in dread or afraid of them. The LORD your God... He will Himself fight for you..."Assurance of God fighting for His people.
Deut 2:25"This day I will begin to put dread and fear of you on the peoples..."God instilling fear in their enemies.
Deut 3:2"And the LORD said to me, 'Do not fear him, for I have delivered him and all his people..."God's specific reassurance regarding Og.
Deut 3:11"For only Og the king of Bashan was left of the remnant of the Rephaim..."Establishes Og's formidable, gigantic stature.
Deut 4:3-4"...those of you who held fast to the LORD your God are all alive today."God's faithfulness and the outcome of obedience.
Deut 29:7"When you came to this place, Sihon... and Og... came out against us to battle..."Later recounting of the conquest as a reminder.
Neh 9:22"And You gave them kingdoms and peoples, and distributed them to them..."Nehemiah recounts God giving them nations, including Og's kingdom.
Ps 135:11"Sihon king of the Amorites and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan..."God's triumph over mighty kings celebrated in song.
Ps 136:19-20"Sihon king of the Amorites... Og king of Bashan... for His steadfast love endures forever."Reinforces God's eternal love shown through victory.
Amos 2:9"Yet I destroyed the Amorite before them, whose height was like the height of cedars..."Implies a powerful, towering enemy like Og.
Josh 2:24"...the LORD your God He is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath."The inhabitants of Canaan recognizing God's power through Israel's victories.
Josh 12:4-5"And the territory of Og king of Bashan, one of the remnant of the Rephaim..."Joshua's summary of the conquered lands, listing Og.
Josh 13:12"...all the kingdom of Og in Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei..."Specific details about Og's territory, mentioning Edrei.
1 Sam 17:46-47"...the battle is the LORD's, and He will give you into our hand."Theme of God fighting and delivering His people from giants/strong enemies (Goliath).
2 Chron 20:15"Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God's."Reassurance that God fights the battles for His people.
Ps 78:54-55"And he brought them to his holy border, to this mountain which his right hand had gained."God bringing Israel to the promised land by His power.
Heb 11:32-34"...who through faith conquered kingdoms..."God's enablement of faith-filled victories.

Deuteronomy 3 verses

Deuteronomy 3 1 Meaning

Deuteronomy 3:1 marks a decisive continuation of Israel's journey towards the Promised Land, following the recent victory over Sihon, king of Heshbon. This verse initiates the account of their confrontation with Og, the powerful and giant king of Bashan, at Edrei. It underscores God's unfailing guidance and power, as He directs His people against formidable adversaries, ensuring their path into the land He promised. The movement from "turned" and "went up" signifies intentional progress and the start of a significant, God-led engagement.

Deuteronomy 3 1 Context

Deuteronomy 3:1 is situated within Moses' second discourse to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they enter the Promised Land. This particular section (chapters 2-3) serves as a historical recount of their journey from Heshbon, where King Sihon was defeated (Deut 2), to Bashan, the domain of King Og. Moses reminds the people of God's direct command and assurance to take these lands and defeat these mighty kings, reinforcing His covenant faithfulness. Historically, this occurred around 1400 BCE, following 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, as the new generation prepared to enter Canaan. The defeat of Og, a king of immense physical stature and power (later revealed as one of the last Rephaim, or giants), serves as powerful evidence of YHWH's absolute dominion over all earthly rulers and formidable opponents, directly challenging any pagan belief that such giants or their patron gods were invincible.

Deuteronomy 3 1 Word Analysis

  • Then we turned (וַנֵּפֶן, va-nēfen): From the root "panah" (פָּנָה), meaning "to turn," "to face," "to set one's face." This is not a hesitant or accidental turning, but a deliberate, decisive movement indicating a change in direction, guided by divine command. It signifies moving forward to the next stage of their conquest.
  • and went up (וַנַּעַל, va-na'al): From the root "alah" (עָלָה), meaning "to go up," "to ascend." This detail implies the geographical reality of Bashan, which was known for its higher elevation compared to the plains of Moab. It denotes progress into more challenging terrain, symbolizing a step forward into a new conflict.
  • the way to Bashan (דֶּרֶךְ הַבָּשָׁן, derekh ha-bashan):
    • Bashan: A rich, fertile, and strategically important region east of the Jordan, known for its strong fortifications, cattle, and especially its ancient giant inhabitants. Its name evokes strength and a formidable challenge.
  • and Og the king of Bashan (וְעוֹג מֶלֶךְ הַבָּשָׁן, ve-ʿOg melekh ha-bashan):
    • Og (עוֹג): This name is unique to the Bible, denoting the king. Subsequent verses (Deut 3:11) reveal his exceptional, gigantic stature, identifying him as the last of the Rephaim. He personifies the ultimate human-based opposition against God's people.
    • King of Bashan: His title underscores his sovereignty over this powerful region, making him a significant enemy.
  • came out against us (יָצָא לִקְרָאתֵנוּ, yatza liqra'tēnu): Implies an aggressive and proactive confrontation. Og did not wait to be besieged; he took the initiative to meet Israel in open battle.
  • he and all his people (הוּא וְכָל עַמּוֹ, hu ve-chol ʿammo): Emphasizes the full might of Og's kingdom mobilized against Israel. It highlights the vastness of the opposition that God would overcome.
  • to battle (לַמִּלְחָמָה, la-milchamah): The Hebrew word for "war" or "battle." This explicitly states the purpose of the encounter. It was a full-scale military conflict.
  • at Edrei (בְּאֶדְרֶעִי, be-ʾEdreʿi): A specific, fortified city in Bashan (known from Josh 13:12) which served as a significant administrative and military center for Og's kingdom. Pinpointing the location provides historical grounding and implies a strategic objective.

Deuteronomy 3 1 Bonus section

The historical and archaeological evidence points to Bashan as a very fertile region known for its mighty oak trees and robust cattle (Ezek 39:18, Isa 2:13). Its cities were often fortified with thick, basaltic walls, making them formidable to conquer. Og, as one of the "remnant of the Rephaim" (Deut 3:11), represents the last stand of a pre-Flood people group mentioned even in Genesis 6:4, notorious for their size. Their defeat demonstrated that God's power was not limited by physical stature or fortifications. The conquest of Og's territory, along with Sihon's, also opened up significant grazing lands and strategic routes for Israel, marking a crucial step in possessing the land east of the Jordan. This victory laid the foundation for the territories allotted to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh (Deut 3:12-17). The repeated retelling of this conquest throughout Scripture (e.g., in Psalms and Nehemiah) underscores its importance as a foundational demonstration of God's covenant faithfulness and His irresistible power in actualizing His promises.

Deuteronomy 3 1 Commentary

Deuteronomy 3:1 is a pivotal verse, encapsulating Israel's determined advance under divine commission. Having successfully navigated the treacherous territories and defeated Sihon by God's power, Israel now turns and ascends towards Bashan, a land symbolizing formidable opposition due to its terrain and its giant king, Og. This turning and ascending are not merely geographic details but signify an intentional, God-directed progression into the heart of a challenging, yet promised, inheritance. The aggressive stance of King Og—"came out against us, he and all his people, to battle"—highlights the immediate and formidable nature of the conflict. However, within the broader Deuteronomic context, this confrontation serves to underscore God's sovereignty over even the most physically imposing enemies. The ultimate message of this verse, reinforced by subsequent ones, is that no human power, no matter how great or fearsome, can stand against the will and might of YHWH when His people walk in obedience and faith. It’s a powerful lesson that challenges the Israelites, and us, to confront our fears knowing that God has already delivered the victory.