Joshua 13 12

Joshua 13:12 kjv

All the kingdom of Og in Bashan, which reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei, who remained of the remnant of the giants: for these did Moses smite, and cast them out.

Joshua 13:12 nkjv

all the kingdom of Og in Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth and Edrei, who remained of the remnant of the giants; for Moses had defeated and cast out these.

Joshua 13:12 niv

that is, the whole kingdom of Og in Bashan, who had reigned in Ashtaroth and Edrei. (He was the last of the Rephaites.) Moses had defeated them and taken over their land.

Joshua 13:12 esv

all the kingdom of Og in Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei (he alone was left of the remnant of the Rephaim); these Moses had struck and driven out.

Joshua 13:12 nlt

and all the territory of King Og of Bashan, who had reigned in Ashtaroth and Edrei. King Og was the last of the Rephaites, for Moses had attacked them and driven them out.

Joshua 13 verses

Joshua 13 12 Meaning

Joshua 13:12 outlines a specific portion of the territory conquered by Moses on the east side of the Jordan River. It identifies the realm of Og, the king of Bashan, emphasizing his capital cities, Ashtaroth and Edrei, and his lineage from the ancient and formidable Rephaim giants. The verse underscores that it was Moses who, empowered by God, decisively defeated these powerful enemies and dispossessed them from their land. This detail serves as a foundational historical reference for the distribution of land that is about to begin.

Joshua 13 12 Context

Joshua chapter 13 transitions from the narratives of conquest in previous chapters to the crucial task of land division and inheritance. While earlier chapters detail military victories and the dispossession of various Canaanite kings west of the Jordan, chapter 13 begins by acknowledging that much land still remained to be conquered. However, before focusing on the remaining territories, this chapter reiterates the already conquered lands east of the Jordan, which were allotted by Moses to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh. Joshua 13:12 specifically refers to the kingdom of Og, a particularly formidable opponent due to his stature and ancestry among the Rephaim, highlighting Moses's significant victory over him. This sets a precedent and reminds Israel of God's power and faithfulness, serving as a basis for confidence as Joshua proceeds with dividing the rest of the promised land, even if some parts still need to be fully subdued. It connects God's past actions with Moses to the current mandate given to Joshua.

Joshua 13 12 Word analysis

• All the kingdom: Hebrew: kol mamlekhet (כָּל מַמְלֶכֶת). Emphasizes the completeness of the conquest; the entire sovereign domain of Og was subjected to Israel. This signifies not just a military defeat, but a full transfer of authority and control.
• Og: Hebrew: ʿOg (עוֹג). A name infamous for its association with extraordinary size and strength. Og was portrayed as the last of his kind in his region, an extremely fearsome opponent. His defeat highlighted the miraculous power of God, who gave victory over an enemy no human could naturally overcome.
• in Bashan: Hebrew: ba-Bāshān (בַּבָּשָׁן). Bashan was a highly fertile, elevated region east of the Jordan, known for its rich pastures and strong cattle (e.g., Ps 22:12, Ezek 39:18, Amos 4:1). Its strategic location and agricultural wealth made its conquest highly significant for the incoming tribes. Its strong fortresses implied a tough battle, yet it was overcome.
• who reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei: Hebrew: hā-mōshēl be-ʿAshtarōth ū-və-’Edreʿī (הַמּוֹשֵׁל בְּעַשְׁתָּרוֹת וּבְאֶדְרֶעִי). These were the principal cities of Og's dominion.
  • Ashtaroth: Often associated with the goddess Astarte (Ashtoreth), a prominent Canaanite deity of fertility, war, and sexuality. Naming Ashtaroth specifically could carry a subtle polemical undertone, showcasing Yahweh's supremacy over local deities whose worship centered in such strongholds.
  • Edrei: Located in a strategic volcanic area, naturally fortified and challenging to approach. The battle at Edrei (Num 21:33, Deut 3:1) was particularly significant as a place where God guaranteed victory despite the overwhelming odds, confirming divine assistance.
• and remained of the remnant of the Rephaim: Hebrew: wə-nišʾar miš-šēʾerīth hā-rəphāʾim (וְנִשְׁאָר מִשְּׁאֵרִית הָרְפָאִים).
  • remnant of the Rephaim: Hebrew: śārîd mimme’et hā-rephā’îm (שָׁרִיד מִמְּיֶתֶר הָרְפָאִים). The Rephaim (rephā’im, רְפָאִים) were ancient, legendary giants or "shades of the dead" (in some contexts, shades in the underworld; here, clearly gigantic peoples, as in Gen 14:5, Deut 2:11, 20). Identifying Og as such a remnant further elevates his threat level and highlights the magnitude of the victory. Their existence challenged normal human capabilities, making the Israelite victory undeniable proof of divine intervention. It signifies God's power over even the most physically imposing enemies and the "original inhabitants" of the land.
• for these did Moses smite: Hebrew: kîhōṯām hikkāh Mōšeh (כִּי־אֹתָם הִכָּה מֹשֶׁה). This clearly attributes the victory to Moses as God's instrument. The term "smite" (hikkāh, הִכָּה) is a strong verb indicating a decisive and overwhelming defeat. This act under Moses served as a theological precedent and proof of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises before Joshua continued the conquest.
• and cast them out: Hebrew: wāyyōršēm (וַיּוֹרִישֵׁם). The verb means to dispossess, inherit, or drive out. It indicates not just a military defeat, but a complete removal and displacement of the former inhabitants from their land, in fulfillment of God's command to conquer and occupy the land (Deut 9:4). This total expulsion was an essential part of Israel's claim to the land as a divinely given inheritance.

Joshua 13 12 Bonus section

• The identification of Og as "of the remnant of the Rephaim" links Israel's current occupation directly to very ancient prophetic pronouncements about conquering giant peoples, emphasizing God's long-term plan and execution.
• The mentioning of Ashtaroth, a center of pagan worship, suggests that the victory was not merely over a military foe but also a spiritual one, demonstrating Yahweh's absolute supremacy over the gods of Canaan and the nations.
• The fact that Og's iron bedstead was 9 cubits long (Deut 3:11), indicates his monumental size and legendary status, further magnifying the victory's significance and the divine power behind it.
• The division of these eastern territories was established by Moses's authority, highlighting a continuous divine mandate for land acquisition and distribution, carried forward by Joshua.

Joshua 13 12 Commentary

Joshua 13:12 acts as a concise, yet powerful, retrospective, affirming the Lord's prior fulfillment of His covenant promises under Moses. By recounting the conquest of Og, the colossal king of Bashan and the last of his kind from the dreaded Rephaim giants, the verse emphasizes that even the most formidable obstacles—represented by Og's immense stature, powerful fortresses in Ashtaroth and Edrei, and his ancient giant lineage—were no match for God's might delivered through Moses. This summary is not merely a historical recap; it serves as a theological anchor. It reminds the current generation, now under Joshua's leadership, that the same faithful God who delivered them from powerful enemies in the past will continue to enable them to possess the rest of the land. The defeat and dispossession (wāyyōršēm) of Og underscore God's unwavering commitment to giving Israel the land and eradicating the peoples who defiled it, setting a precedent of divine power and providing encouragement for the land division and the remaining conquests to come.