Numbers 21 33

Numbers 21:33 kjv

And they turned and went up by the way of Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan went out against them, he, and all his people, to the battle at Edrei.

Numbers 21:33 nkjv

And they turned and went up by the way to Bashan. So Og king of Bashan went out against them, he and all his people, to battle at Edrei.

Numbers 21:33 niv

Then they turned and went up along the road toward Bashan, and Og king of Bashan and his whole army marched out to meet them in battle at Edrei.

Numbers 21:33 esv

Then they turned and went up by the way to Bashan. And Og the king of Bashan came out against them, he and all his people, to battle at Edrei.

Numbers 21:33 nlt

Then they turned and marched up the road to Bashan, but King Og of Bashan and all his people attacked them at Edrei.

Numbers 21 verses

Numbers 21 33 Meaning

Numbers 21:33 describes the Israelites' encounter with Og, the formidable king of Bashan. After their victory over Sihon, the king of the Amorites, the Israelites turned their journey northward towards Bashan. King Og, anticipating their advance, proactively assembled his entire army and confronted Israel in battle at Edrei, one of his royal cities. This verse sets the stage for God's continued faithfulness in delivering enemy kings and their lands into Israel's hands, furthering the fulfillment of His covenant promises concerning the Promised Land.

Numbers 21 33 Context

Numbers chapter 21 chronicles a pivotal segment of Israel's wilderness journey, marked by both severe testing and triumphant divine intervention. Earlier in the chapter, Israel murmurs against God and Moses, leading to a plague of fiery serpents, from which God provides salvation through the bronze serpent (Num 21:4-9). Immediately following this act of redemption, Israel experiences two significant military victories, demonstrating God's renewed favor and commitment to bring them into the promised land. The first victory is against Arad (Num 21:1-3), then against Sihon, king of the Amorites, in Heshbon (Num 21:21-32), seizing his territory east of the Jordan. Verse 33 follows directly upon the heels of the victory over Sihon, presenting the very next stage of their advance: their decision to move into Bashan and the consequent confrontation with its mighty ruler, Og. Historically and culturally, the Transjordan region (including Bashan) was strategic and fertile. Bashan, in particular, was renowned for its rich pasturelands, forests (oaks of Bashan), and strong, fortified cities, ruled by formidable kings. Og himself was specifically remembered as one of the last of the Rephaim, a race of giants, amplifying the scale of this conquest and highlighting God's power over seemingly insurmountable enemies. This context prepares Israel for the ultimate conquest of Canaan west of the Jordan, reinforcing God's ability to overcome any obstacle for His covenant people.

Numbers 21 33 Word analysis

• Then they turned: (Hebrew: וַיִּפְנוּ, vayyip̄nū). Signifies a change in direction or objective after the previous conquest of Sihon's territory. It indicates a deliberate shift in their military campaign, pointing them northward.
• and went up: (Hebrew: וַיַּעֲלוּ, vayyaʿălū). This implies moving to a higher elevation, as Bashan was an elevated plateau, further north and east from the Dead Sea region where they had been. It can also signify a "going up" to attack or conquer.
• by the way of Bashan: (Hebrew: דֶּרֶךְ הַבָּשָׁן, derekh habbāšān). Refers to the main road or route leading into the fertile and geographically distinct region of Bashan, known for its strategic importance and strong defenses.
• and Og: (Hebrew: עוֹג, ʿōg). The personal name of the king, famous for his extraordinary size and strength, identified elsewhere as one of the remnant of the Rephaim, a race of giants. His inclusion immediately signifies a major formidable enemy.
• king of Bashan: (Hebrew: מֶלֶךְ־הַבָּשָׁן, meleḵ-habbāšān). Establishes his supreme authority and dominion over a significant, well-resourced region east of the Jordan River.
• went out against them: (Hebrew: לִקְרָאתָם, liqraʾṯām). Denotes a proactive and aggressive movement on Og's part to meet the Israelites for combat, rather than waiting to be besieged. It shows his intention to directly confront and repel the invaders.
• he and all his people: (Hebrew: הוּא וְכׇל־עַמּוֹ, hû wəkol-ʿammô). Emphasizes the total mobilization of Og's kingdom for war, signifying a unified and strong opposition to Israel, making the subsequent victory even more significant.
• to battle: (Hebrew: לַמִּלְחָמָה, lammilḥāmâ). Explicitly states the purpose of Og's action—a direct military engagement, a full-scale war.
• at Edrei: (Hebrew: בְּאֶדְרֶעִי, bəʾedrĕʿî). One of the two royal cities or capitals of Og's kingdom (the other being Ashtaroth, Deut 1:4), highlighting a critical strategic location where the battle occurred.

Words-group analysis

• "Then they turned and went up by the way of Bashan": This phrase marks a strategic decision and movement of the Israelites. Having secured Sihon's territory, they did not halt but continued their advance according to God's guiding hand, entering a new and challenging frontier. Their willingness to "turn" and "go up" illustrates their obedience to the divine mandate of conquest.
• "Og king of Bashan went out against them": This describes a direct confrontation. Unlike other conquests where Israel besieged cities, Og actively moved his forces to meet Israel. This demonstrates Og's confidence, pride, and perhaps fear, prompting him to try and prevent Israel's deeper penetration into his territory. This aggressive posture ensures a decisive and pitched battle rather than prolonged sieges, demonstrating God's ability to deliver a swift victory.
• "he and all his people, to battle at Edrei": This signifies the absolute totality of the impending conflict. Og committed his entire strength, united under his leadership, to a major confrontation at one of his principal cities. The mention of "all his people" underscores the overwhelming force Israel faced, making their victory a clear demonstration of God's unmatched power over a complete and determined enemy kingdom. Edrei was not a minor skirmish point, but a strategic site chosen for a decisive encounter.

Numbers 21 33 Bonus section

The conquest of Bashan was highly significant because Og was not just any king; he was renowned as the last of the Rephaim (Deut 3:11), a race associated with immense size and power, striking fear into other nations. The immense size of Og's iron bedstead, over 13 feet long (Deut 3:11), likely served as a war trophy displayed for a considerable time to memorialize this monumental victory and further highlight the defeat of a truly giant opponent by God's power. Bashan itself was a land of strength and abundance, later allocated primarily to the half-tribe of Manasseh, known for its rich grazing lands (cattle of Bashan) and strong fortifications, underscoring the richness of the land God was bestowing upon Israel. The confrontation at Edrei was thus a direct challenge by a proud, powerful ruler, and its swift outcome served as irrefutable evidence that no human or mythical might could deter the sovereign God from delivering His inheritance to His people.

Numbers 21 33 Commentary

Numbers 21:33 succinctly captures the dramatic setup for Israel's second major Transjordan conquest. Following the impressive victory over Sihon, the Israelites did not rest but proceeded into Bashan, a fertile and formidable kingdom ruled by Og, a king of legendary stature. The phrase "went out against them" underscores Og's bold, offensive stance, mobilizing his entire force to engage Israel head-on at Edrei. This was not a passive defense, but an aggressive attempt to repel the encroaching Israelites. Yet, Og's seemingly strong resolve and formidable army proved futile against the divine plan. This encounter, much like the defeat of Sihon, served as a crucial step in fulfilling God's promise to Abraham—to give his descendants the land by dispossessing its current inhabitants, including even giants (Rephaim). The conquest of Og and Bashan further reinforced God's unwavering faithfulness and demonstrated His power to deliver His people from any adversary, however strong or numerous. It instilled greater confidence in Israel for the subsequent and even larger task of conquering Canaan proper, assuring them that no king or nation could stand against the Lord. This divine triumph exemplifies the truth that God prepares the battle and provides the victory, teaching His people reliance on Him rather than on their own strength or numbers.