Deuteronomy 3 5

Deuteronomy 3:5 kjv

All these cities were fenced with high walls, gates, and bars; beside unwalled towns a great many.

Deuteronomy 3:5 nkjv

All these cities were fortified with high walls, gates, and bars, besides a great many rural towns.

Deuteronomy 3:5 niv

All these cities were fortified with high walls and with gates and bars, and there were also a great many unwalled villages.

Deuteronomy 3:5 esv

All these were cities fortified with high walls, gates, and bars, besides very many unwalled villages.

Deuteronomy 3:5 nlt

These towns were all fortified with high walls and barred gates. We also took many unwalled villages at the same time.

Deuteronomy 3 verses

Deuteronomy 3 5 Meaning

Deuteronomy 3:5 states, "All these were cities fortified with high walls, gates, and bars, besides a great many unwalled towns." This verse recounts the formidable defenses of the cities conquered by Israel under Moses, specifically those of Og, king of Bashan. It emphasizes the daunting strength of the enemy's strongholds, contrasting them with the comprehensive victory God granted Israel, including not only these major fortifications but also numerous unprotected settlements. The verse highlights the overwhelming military challenge overcome through divine power, setting the stage for Moses' exhortation for future obedience.

Deuteronomy 3 5 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 3 is part of Moses' second major discourse to the Israelites in Moab, before they enter the promised land. He recounts their recent history, particularly their victories over Sihon, king of Heshbon (Deut 2:26-37), and Og, king of Bashan (Deut 3:1-11). Verse 5 falls within the description of the conquest of Og's territory, specifically detailing the formidable nature of his cities. The entire passage serves as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness and power, demonstrating that He had delivered "a land with strong and numerous enemies" (Deut 1:28). This historical review aims to strengthen Israel's faith, encourage their obedience to the Law, and prepare them for the challenges of possessing Canaan, impressing upon them that future victories will similarly be by divine strength, not their own. It also serves as a polemic against reliance on physical defenses or military might, instead exalting YHWH as the true source of security and victory.

Deuteronomy 3 5 Word analysis

• All these: Refers directly to the sixty cities of Bashan mentioned in Deut 3:4. This indicates a vast scale of conquest, not just isolated incidents.
• cities: (Hebrew: arim, עָרִים) Denotes established, organized settlements, typically implying a significant population and administrative function in ancient times. These were not mere villages but centers of regional power.
• fortified: (Hebrew: betzurōt, בְּצֻרֹת) Implies being "cut off" or "inaccessible." Derived from a root suggesting "rock" or "defense," emphasizing impregnable strength, built like a rock fortress. It highlights the difficulty, almost impossibility, of conquering them through ordinary means.
• with high walls: (Hebrew: chomah gevohah, חֹמָה גְבֹהָה) Emphasizes the physical height and daunting presence of the defensive barriers. Walls were paramount to a city's security in the ancient Near East, signifying protection, prosperity, and power. "High" suggests a substantial engineering feat and military challenge.
• gates: (Hebrew: d'latayim, דְלָתַיִם) The dual form indicates both leaves of the gate. Gates were not just entry points but often the strongest and most defended part of a city's wall, frequently constructed from sturdy wood or metal, providing the final line of defense against invasion.
• and bars: (Hebrew: u'veriach, וּבְרִיחַ) These were heavy crossbeams used to lock gates from the inside, adding another layer of security and demonstrating the meticulous defenses of these cities. They made entry incredibly difficult once sealed.
• besides: (Hebrew: levad, לְבַד) Means "apart from" or "in addition to." This word signals that the previously listed heavily fortified cities were only one part of the conquest, indicating an even larger, comprehensive taking of land.
• a great many: (Hebrew: harbeh me'od, הַרְבֵּה מְאֹד) An intensive phrase, emphasizing the vast numerical superiority of these unfortified settlements, further demonstrating the total scope of the victory.
• unwalled towns: (Hebrew: arei haprasi, עָרֵי הַפְּרָזִי) Refers to villages or rural settlements without defensive walls. These were generally easier to conquer than the main fortified cities but their sheer number shows the comprehensive nature of the land taken and God's expansive gift.
• Word-group analysis:
  • "cities fortified with high walls, gates, and bars": This phrase paints a vivid picture of the extreme challenge the Israelites faced. It's an almost hyperbolic description, meant to underscore that only divine intervention could have overcome such formidable defenses. This detail enhances the miracle of God's provision. It is a direct refutation of any human boasting.
  • "besides a great many unwalled towns": This addition emphasizes the totality of the conquest. It was not merely the capture of key fortresses but the complete pacification and appropriation of the entire region, showcasing God's comprehensive delivery of the land.

Deuteronomy 3 5 Bonus section

The mention of such strong fortifications directly confronts the prevailing belief systems of the ancient Near East, where the strength of a city’s defenses often symbolized the power of its patron deity. By showing Israel effortlessly taking these impregnable cities, the text implicitly demonstrates the supremacy of Yahweh over the pagan gods and the gods of these nations. It provides a concrete example of the principle articulated later in Deut 20:1-4, where God promises to fight for His people. Furthermore, the systematic nature of taking not only walled cities but also numerous unwalled towns showcases God's comprehensive fulfillment of His promise of land. This victory paved the way for Israel's entry into the main land of Canaan, reassuring them that their future, equally challenging, conquests would also be secured by God's hand.

Deuteronomy 3 5 Commentary

Deuteronomy 3:5 underscores the magnitude of the conquest given by God. By meticulously listing the strong defenses—high walls, reinforced gates, and locking bars—Moses heightens the scale of what was overcome. This emphasis is not for boasting in Israel's military might but to magnify the Lord's power and faithfulness. In the ancient world, a city's defenses directly correlated to its perceived strength and its inhabitants' confidence. To conquer such a formidable network of strongholds, especially sixty main cities plus countless unprotected towns, was an impossible task by human standards. Thus, the verse serves as a crucial theological statement: Israel’s victories were sovereign acts of God. This narrative functions as a perpetual reminder that success in possessing the land of promise comes from relying on divine power, not on human fortifications or military prowess. Practically, this verse illustrates that no obstacle, however great or insurmountable it may appear, can withstand God’s determined purpose for His people.