Deuteronomy Chapter 3 — Victory over Og and Land Distribution
Israel defeats King Og of Bashan and captures his cities, leading to the distribution of land among the tribes and Moses being denied entry to the Promised Land.
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Notable Verses
Deuteronomy 3:11
“For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of the Rephaim. Behold, his bedstead was a bedstead of iron... Nine cubits was its length, and four cubits its width...”
This verse provides a historical and physical detail about the stature of King Og and the people who lived in the region.
Deuteronomy 3:22
“You shall not fear them; for the LORD your God himself fights for you.”
Moses offers this encouragement to Joshua, emphasizing that their military success comes from divine intervention.
Deuteronomy 3:26
“But the LORD was angry with me because of you, and didn’t listen to me. The LORD said to me, 'That is enough! Speak no more to me of this matter.'”
This verse captures the finality of God's decision regarding Moses' entry into the Promised Land.
Chapter Summary
In Deuteronomy 3, Moses continues his historical review by recounting the victory over Og, the king of Bashan. Despite the king's formidable walled cities and his status as one of the last of the giant Rephaim, Israel's forces successfully conquer sixty cities in the region of Argob. The captured territories, including Gilead and Bashan, are then allotted to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, provided their warriors help the other tribes conquer their own land across the Jordan. Moses also records his personal command to Joshua, encouraging him not to fear the upcoming battles because God is the one who fights for them. The chapter concludes with a poignant moment where Moses pleads with God to let him cross the Jordan to see the Promised Land. God denies his request but allows him to view the land from the top of Mount Pisgah, instructing him instead to commission and strengthen Joshua for the task ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Og was the king of Bashan and the last of the Rephaim, a race of giants. He was known for his massive iron bed, which measured approximately thirteen feet long, and his kingdom consisted of sixty fortified cities.
The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh received the land east of the Jordan River. Moses granted them this territory on the condition that their fighting men would cross the Jordan to help the other tribes secure their inheritance.
Moses mentions that the Lord was angry with him because of the people's actions and would not grant his request to cross the Jordan. Instead, God told him to view the land from the top of Mount Pisgah and prepare Joshua to lead the people.
God instructed Moses to commission, encourage, and strengthen Joshua. Since Moses could not enter the land, Joshua was the one chosen to lead the Israelites across the Jordan and cause them to inherit the territory.
Study Note
The mention of Mount Hermon’s different names (Sirion and Senir) reflects the diverse ethnic groups, such as the Sidonians and Amorites, living in the region during the Bronze Age.
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