Deuteronomy 3 3

Deuteronomy 3:3 kjv

So the LORD our God delivered into our hands Og also, the king of Bashan, and all his people: and we smote him until none was left to him remaining.

Deuteronomy 3:3 nkjv

"So the LORD our God also delivered into our hands Og king of Bashan, with all his people, and we attacked him until he had no survivors remaining.

Deuteronomy 3:3 niv

So the LORD our God also gave into our hands Og king of Bashan and all his army. We struck them down, leaving no survivors.

Deuteronomy 3:3 esv

So the LORD our God gave into our hand Og also, the king of Bashan, and all his people, and we struck him down until he had no survivor left.

Deuteronomy 3:3 nlt

"So the LORD our God handed King Og and all his people over to us, and we killed them all. Not a single person survived.

Deuteronomy 3 verses

Deuteronomy 3 3 Meaning

Deuteronomy chapter 3, verse 3 asserts that the Lord our God decisively granted victory to the Israelites over Og, the powerful king of Bashan, and all his people. This was a complete and overwhelming defeat, so thorough that no one from Og's army or kingdom was left alive. The verse highlights God's direct intervention and active role in securing His people's triumph over a formidable enemy.

Deuteronomy 3 3 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 3 is part of Moses' second speech to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they are about to enter the Promised Land. This chapter specifically recounts Israel's victories east of the Jordan River – over Sihon, king of the Amorites (mentioned in Deut 2:26-37), and then over Og, king of Bashan. Moses uses these past successes, which occurred approximately 38 years prior, to encourage the new generation of Israelites. By reminding them how the Lord "delivered into their hands" two powerful, fortified kingdoms with ease, Moses aims to bolster their faith and assure them that God will grant them victory in the imminent conquest of Canaan. This historical review serves as proof of God's faithfulness and power, preparing them psychologically and spiritually for the challenges ahead, and reiterating that their success depends solely on the Lord, not their own strength.

Deuteronomy 3 3 Word analysis

• So: Connects this victory directly to the preceding narrative of the defeat of Sihon, indicating a continued demonstration of God's power and Israel's progression.
• the Lord our God: This profound title, Yahweh Elohim, emphasizes God's personal covenant relationship with Israel ("our God") and His supreme authority and sovereignty (Yahweh). It underscores that the victory was divinely ordained and empowered, not a result of Israelite military superiority.
• also delivered into our hands: The Hebrew phrase used is nathan b'yad (נָתַן בְּיַד), literally "gave into the hand." This signifies a complete handing over of control, power, and destiny. It vividly portrays God as the active agent, sovereignly deciding the outcome of the battle and bestowing the victory upon Israel as a gift, ensuring His people would know that the success came from Him.
• Og king of Bashan: Og (אוֹג, Owgi) was a particularly imposing figure. Deuteronomy 3:11 describes his massive iron bedstead (9 cubits long, 4 cubits wide, approximately 13.5 feet by 6 feet), suggesting his enormous stature and might. Bashan (הַבָּשָׁן, HaBashan) was a rich and formidable kingdom east of the Jordan, known for its strong fortifications and its fertility. The defeat of such a powerful king and kingdom, particularly one associated with the Rephaim (a race of giants), showcased God's ability to overcome seemingly invincible obstacles. This also served as a powerful polemic against the regional gods who could not protect their own powerful king and kingdom.
• and all his people: This phrase denotes the comprehensiveness of the defeat. Not just the king, but the entire military and populace were subjugated. This was a total conquest and a full eradication of a threatening entity, as commanded by God in certain instances of conquest.
• and we struck him down: The Hebrew verb is nakah (נָכָה), which implies a decisive, often violent, blow or smiting. While God "delivered," Israel was commanded to execute the action, acting as His instruments. This highlights both divine initiative and human responsibility in fulfilling God's purposes.
• until no survivor was left: The Hebrew phrase is ad bilti hish'ir lo sarid (עַד בִּלְתִּי הִשְׁאִיר לוֹ שָׂרִיד), meaning "until not one was left remaining." This signifies the absolute and complete nature of the victory and judgment. It prevented any remaining threat or potential for resurgence, consistent with the instructions given for eliminating hostile nations that posed an idolatrous threat to Israel's faithfulness to God.

Words-group analysis:

• "the Lord our God also delivered into our hands Og king of Bashan": This initial phrase highlights divine sovereignty and active intervention. It removes any notion that Israel's strength or military prowess was the determining factor. It was God's decision and execution to "hand over" the enemy. The greatness of Og only magnifies the power of the delivering God.
• "and we struck him down until no survivor was left": This subsequent phrase describes the complete and thorough implementation of God's judgment through Israel's actions. The utter destruction implies both the decisive nature of God's justice and the comprehensive nature of the victory granted to Israel. This sets a precedent for the conquest of Canaan, signaling that God would grant total victory against the land's inhabitants.

Deuteronomy 3 3 Bonus section

The account of Og's defeat and the details mentioned (like his massive bedstead) in Deuteronomy emphasize his unusual stature, potentially linking him to the remnants of the Rephaim, a race of giants also known as Anakim in other regions of Canaan (Deut 2:11, 21). This adds to the magnitude of God's victory; Israel was not just defeating ordinary kings but literally conquering "giants." This reinforces that no enemy, regardless of their apparent strength or supernatural connection, is too great for the Lord. The specific mention of Og, alongside Sihon, in Psalms (Ps 135, 136) attests to the deep imprint these victories left on Israel's collective memory as testaments to God's enduring love and might in fulfilling His promises and clearing the path for His people.

Deuteronomy 3 3 Commentary

Deuteronomy 3:3 succinctly captures a pivotal moment in Israel's wilderness journey: the divinely granted victory over Og, the powerful king of Bashan. This verse is not merely a historical report but a theological declaration, reinforcing key truths about God's character and His relationship with His people. The "Lord our God" is the prime mover, actively "delivering" even the most formidable enemy into Israel's "hands." This emphasizes God's omnipotence and faithfulness to His covenant promises to give Israel the land.

The total annihilation ("no survivor was left") of Og and his people underscored the comprehensive nature of God's judgment upon a hostile kingdom and demonstrated His complete support for Israel. This was not a partial victory but a decisive one, instilling confidence in the Israelites for the greater challenges awaiting them in Canaan. It served as a vital lesson: human effort and military might are secondary; ultimate success in God's will stems from His initiative and empowerment.

Spiritually, this event prefigures the comprehensive victories God provides for His people against their spiritual enemies. Just as Og represented a seemingly insurmountable physical obstacle, believers face spiritual adversaries that appear overwhelming. However, through Christ, God has already "delivered into our hands" the victory over sin, death, and the works of the devil. The call is to "strike them down" in reliance on His power, not our own.

Examples of reliance on God for victory:

• David's victory over Goliath (1 Sam 17) demonstrates God's deliverance against overwhelming odds.
• Jehoshaphat's triumph over invading armies (2 Chron 20) when the battle was declared to be the Lord's.
• The New Testament concept of Christians having victory over temptation and evil by standing firm in the Lord's strength.