Deuteronomy 3 11

Deuteronomy 3:11 kjv

For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of giants; behold his bedstead was a bedstead of iron; is it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon? nine cubits was the length thereof, and four cubits the breadth of it, after the cubit of a man.

Deuteronomy 3:11 nkjv

"For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of the giants. Indeed his bedstead was an iron bedstead. (Is it not in Rabbah of the people of Ammon?) Nine cubits is its length and four cubits its width, according to the standard cubit.

Deuteronomy 3:11 niv

(Og king of Bashan was the last of the Rephaites. His bed was decorated with iron and was more than nine cubits long and four cubits wide. It is still in Rabbah of the Ammonites.)

Deuteronomy 3:11 esv

(For only Og the king of Bashan was left of the remnant of the Rephaim. Behold, his bed was a bed of iron. Is it not in Rabbah of the Ammonites? Nine cubits was its length, and four cubits its breadth, according to the common cubit. )

Deuteronomy 3:11 nlt

(King Og of Bashan was the last survivor of the giant Rephaites. His bed was made of iron and was more than thirteen feet long and six feet wide. It can still be seen in the Ammonite city of Rabbah.)

Deuteronomy 3 verses

Deuteronomy 3 11 Meaning

Deuteronomy 3:11 describes the physical immense size of Og, the Amorite king of Bashan, who was the last surviving king of the giant Rephaim race. To emphasize his extraordinary stature, the verse details his personal iron bedstead, noting its massive dimensions: nine cubits (approximately 13.5 feet) long and four cubits (approximately 6 feet) wide, measured by a standard cubit. This detail is given as a factual account, highlighting the real and formidable nature of the enemy God helped Israel conquer, and locating this monumental artifact in Rabbah of the Ammonites as a verifiable piece of evidence.

Deuteronomy 3 11 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 3 is part of Moses' farewell address to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they enter the promised land. He recounts their history from Horeb to their current location, emphasizing the victories God had given them. Specifically, verses 1-11 detail the decisive conquest of Bashan and the defeat of its king, Og, following the defeat of Sihon, king of the Amorites. This passage serves to remind the new generation of Israel, who were about to face new formidable enemies, of God's immense power and faithfulness. The detailed description of Og, particularly his massive size symbolized by his bedstead, underscores the magnitude of the victory God provided, proving that no foe, however imposing, could withstand Him. It was a real enemy, really defeated by a real God, empowering Israel for the challenges ahead.

Deuteronomy 3 11 Word Analysis

• For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of the Rephaim:

  • "Og" (עוֹג, ʿŌg): A distinct historical figure, the last formidable giant-king known from the region, making his defeat particularly noteworthy.
  • "Bashan" (הַבָּשָׁן, ha-Bāšān): A fertile, powerful kingdom east of the Jordan, renowned for its strong, wild nature and connection to giant inhabitants.
  • "remained" (נִשְׁאַר, nišʾar): Implies near total eradication, making Og's singular survival (until his defeat) significant.
  • "Rephaim" (רְפָאִים, Rᵉp̄āʾîm): A pre-Canaanite race of formidable giants (lit. "the dead ones" or "shades," suggesting a powerful, ancient, perhaps semi-divine lineage to the local populace), linked to terror and ancient, mighty lineages. Their presence evokes fear and highlights God's power over such figures. The name also connects to shades/spirits, perhaps emphasizing their primeval nature and that God conquered not just large men but also beings tied to ancient myths and powers.

• Indeed his bedstead was an iron bedstead.

  • "bedstead" (עֶרֶשׂ, ʿereś): A couch or bed. Not just a common object but an intimate personal item, signifying his own dwelling. Its monumental size here serves as a powerful descriptor of its owner. Some ancient views considered large couches for feasting, linking it to kingly status and grandeur.
  • "iron" (בַּרְזֶל, barzel): In this period, iron was a durable, strong, and relatively valuable metal, often used for weaponry. An iron bedstead would have been rare and a massive symbol of wealth, power, and the great strength needed to bear its weight and the immense individual sleeping on it. It solidifies the impressive nature of Og. This early mention of "iron" (Iron Age was beginning) shows its significant symbolic weight.

• Is it not in Rabbah of the people of Ammon?

  • "Rabbah of the people of Ammon" (בְּרַבַּת בְּנֵי עַמּוֹן, bᵉRabbāt bᵉnê ʿAmmôn): The capital city of the Ammonites, located to the southeast of Bashan and outside Israelite conquest territory. This provides a contemporary, verifiable location for the relic, authenticating the historical claim. It could be a trophy taken by Ammonites, or it may have been left there and came into their possession later, but its presence signifies its reality and Og's fame.

• Nine cubits was its length and four cubits its width, according to the standard cubit.

  • "Nine cubits" (תֵּשַׁע אַמּוֹת, tēšaʿ ʾammôṯ) and "four cubits" (וְאַרְבַּע אַמּוֹת, wᵉʾarbaʿ ʾammôṯ): Approximately 13.5 feet long by 6 feet wide (a standard cubit being roughly 18 inches or 45 cm). These precise measurements concretize the immense scale, leaving no doubt about Og's size. Such dimensions could also suggest it served as a royal sarcophagus, further adding to its significance as a lasting monument of a defeated king.
  • "standard cubit" (בְּאַמַּת אִישׁ, bᵉʾammaṯ ʾîš - "according to the cubit of a man"): This phrase emphasizes that the measurement is not exaggerated or based on some specialized large cubit, but on the common, reliable cubit measure, further affirming the accuracy and factual nature of Og's massive size.

Deuteronomy 3 11 Bonus Section

• The detail of Og's bed being "iron" also suggests a level of technological advancement in Bashan. Israel, coming from a desert wandering period, might not have had access to such high-quality metals for everyday items, making this artifact even more impressive and a symbol of a sophisticated enemy.
• The inclusion of a precise measurement and a verifiable location (Rabbah) demonstrates a concern for historical accuracy and empirical proof in the biblical text, validating the narrative's reality for its ancient audience.
• Some scholars interpret ʿereś not merely as a bed but potentially a sarcophagus or an elaborate coffin, suggesting a monumental memorial to a revered king that doubled as his resting place. If so, its dimensions reinforce the colossal scale required to contain his remains, further emphasizing his size and the completeness of his demise.
• This verse prepares the Israelites mentally for future encounters with giants, such as the Anakim (Num 13:33) and eventually Goliath (1 Sam 17), teaching them that while giants are fearsome, God's power is always greater. It sets a precedent that the size of the enemy is irrelevant when God is on Israel's side.

Deuteronomy 3 11 Commentary

Deuteronomy 3:11 serves multiple crucial purposes within Moses' address to Israel. Firstly, it emphatically underscores the extraordinary size and power of King Og, presenting him not just as a powerful human ruler but as a tangible embodiment of the terrifying "Rephaim" giants that populated Canaanite fear and lore. By specifying his immense iron bedstead—a relic of luxury and strength—Moses provides undeniable, concrete evidence of the formidable enemy God had subdued. This verifiable detail, locate-able in Rabbah, validates the account for a people about to face similar, albeit smaller, giant challenges in the Promised Land.

Secondly, the verse magnifies the greatness of Yahweh, demonstrating His unparalleled power to grant victory even against the most imposing adversaries. Israel's victory over Og, the last of the Bashan Rephaim, dispels any notion that certain enemies might be too strong for God. This detail reassures the Israelites that the God who defeated a 13.5-foot-tall king and his powerful kingdom will certainly lead them to victory over the lesser inhabitants of Canaan. The conquest was not by Israel's might, but by divine intervention.

Lastly, this passage functions as an essential part of the covenant narrative, encouraging obedience and faith. By recounting past deliverances, Moses implicitly warns against fear and disbelief. Og's bedstead stands as a monumental trophy of God's faithfulness and ability to empower His people for the impossible, serving as a powerful theological statement about God's absolute sovereignty over all earthly powers and spiritual strongholds.