Deuteronomy 3 2

Deuteronomy 3:2 kjv

And the LORD said unto me, Fear him not: for I will deliver him, and all his people, and his land, into thy hand; and thou shalt do unto him as thou didst unto Sihon king of the Amorites, which dwelt at Heshbon.

Deuteronomy 3:2 nkjv

And the LORD said to me, 'Do not fear him, for I have delivered him and all his people and his land into your hand; you shall do to him as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt at Heshbon.'

Deuteronomy 3:2 niv

The LORD said to me, "Do not be afraid of him, for I have delivered him into your hands, along with his whole army and his land. Do to him what you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon."

Deuteronomy 3:2 esv

But the LORD said to me, 'Do not fear him, for I have given him and all his people and his land into your hand. And you shall do to him as you did to Sihon the king of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon.'

Deuteronomy 3:2 nlt

But the LORD told me, 'Do not be afraid of him, for I have given you victory over Og and his entire army, and I will give you all his land. Treat him just as you treated King Sihon of the Amorites, who ruled in Heshbon.'

Deuteronomy 3 verses

Deuteronomy 3 2 Meaning

Deuteronomy 3:2 reveals a direct divine assurance from God to Moses, intended to dispel any fear concerning the impending battle against Og, king of Bashan. It states that God has already effectively delivered Og, his people, and his land into Israel's hands, thereby guaranteeing a complete and decisive victory. The verse explicitly links this future triumph to the recent, successful conquest over Sihon, king of the Amorites, indicating God's consistent power and strategy in securing the Promised Land for His people.

Deuteronomy 3 2 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 3 is part of Moses' second speech to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they are to enter the Promised Land. This particular section (Deut 3:1-11) recounts the decisive victory over Og, the king of Bashan, emphasizing the strength and magnitude of their foe (e.g., Og's immense iron bedstead mentioned in Deut 3:11 implies his giant stature or formidable power) and how God ensured Israel's success. The immediately preceding context (Deut 2:26-37) details the prior defeat of Sihon, king of Heshbon, which sets a direct precedent and builds confidence for the next encounter with Og. Historically, the Israelites were positioned east of the Jordan River, having wandered for forty years, and were preparing for the final push into Canaan. These victories over mighty Amorite kings served not only to secure land for the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh but also powerfully demonstrated Yahweh's supremacy. This act served as a polemic against the regional gods and the belief in the invincibility of their rulers, proving that the God of Israel was mighty above all gods and truly delivered on His promises to His covenant people.

Deuteronomy 3 2 Word analysis

• And the LORD said unto me: This phrase underscores the direct, personal revelation from God (YHWH) to Moses, validating the command and promise that follows. It highlights divine initiative and Moses' role as a prophet speaking God's word.
• Fear him not (אַל־תִּירָא – ‘al-tî·rā’): This is a direct command from God, crucial for Israel's mindset before a formidable foe like Og. It's a frequently recurring theme in Scripture, emphasizing trust in God's power over human apprehension or intimidation. "Him" refers specifically to Og, indicating God's focus on this particular threat.
• for I have delivered him (כִּי נָתַתִּי – kî nā·ṯat·tî): The use of the perfect tense ("have delivered") implies a past action with ongoing results, or more strongly, a certainty of future action already sealed in God's plan. It’s as good as done from God's perspective. The Hebrew "nātattî" (נתתי) means "I have given," signifying complete transfer of control and power.
• and all his people, and his land, into thy hand: This trio emphasizes the comprehensiveness of the promised victory – not just the king, but his entire domain. "His people" includes the army and inhabitants; "his land" means the territory and fortified cities. "Into thy hand" (בְיָדֶךָ – bə·yā·ḏe·ḵā) is a powerful idiomatic expression meaning "into your control," "at your disposal," or "under your authority." It symbolizes complete and unquestionable victory, where God grants the power to achieve it.
• and thou shalt do unto him as thou didst unto Sihon king of the Amorites, which dwelt at Heshbon: This creates a crucial parallel and sets a precedent. The victory over Sihon was a fresh, tangible reminder of God's power and faithfulness. Sihon (סִיחוֹן – sî·ḥôn) and the Amorites (הָאֱמֹרִי – hā·’ĕ·mō·rî) represented a powerful, indigenous force. By explicitly linking Og's fate to Sihon's, God reassures Israel that His method and might remain constant and successful. Heshbon (חֶשְׁבּוֹן – ḥesh·bôn) was Sihon's capital, reinforcing the specific historical event that was to be replicated.

Deuteronomy 3 2 Bonus section

• The phrase "Fear him not" highlights a constant spiritual battle against intimidation, requiring absolute trust in God's prior acts of deliverance. This mirrors countless moments in the Bible where God's people are called to courage despite overwhelming odds, recognizing that the battle is the Lord's.
• The emphasis on "land" and its delivery "into thy hand" underscores the ultimate goal of the conquest: Israel's possession of the Promised Land, as part of God's Abrahamic covenant. This specific victory contributed significantly to securing territory for several tribes.
• Og of Bashan was likely one of the last of the Rephaim, an ancient race of giants mentioned elsewhere in Scripture (Deut 3:11 mentions his enormous bed). God's explicit command not to fear him directly addressed the potential psychological terror of facing such a formidable opponent.
• The structure of this assurance ("Fear not, for I have delivered...") is a common divine speech pattern, establishing a pattern for understanding God's faithfulness in future challenges for all believers. Our faith should be bolstered not just by future promises but by recalling His past faithfulness.

Deuteronomy 3 2 Commentary

This verse serves as a profound statement of divine assurance, removing any grounds for fear and empowering Israel to act. God does not simply predict victory; He declares it as already accomplished from His perspective ("I have delivered"). This pre-emptive assurance directly counters the human tendency to fear superior forces, such as King Og, who likely possessed a reputation for invincibility given his immense size and powerful kingdom. The explicit reference to the recent and successful conquest of Sihon reinforces God's consistent character and power, serving as a divine blueprint: what God has done before, He will surely do again. This teaching emphasizes that God initiates the victory, His people are instruments, and their courage is rooted in His infallible promises and proven track record. It demonstrates God's sovereignty over earthly powers and His unwavering commitment to fulfilling His covenant promises to Israel concerning the land.