Deuteronomy 3

In this chapter, Moses continues his recollection of Israel's journey and victories under God's guidance. He recounts the defeat of King Og of Bashan and the division of the conquered land to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh. Moses also reminds the people of how he pleaded with God to enter the Promised Land, but God refused, appointing Joshua to lead the people into Canaan instead.

Deuteronomy 3:1-3 (NKJV):

1 “Then we turned and went up the road to Bashan; and Og king of Bashan came out against us, he and all his people, to battle at Edrei.
2 And the Lord said to me, ‘Do not fear him, for I have delivered him and all his people and his land into your hand; you shall do to him as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt at Heshbon.’
3 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.”

Moses recounts the victory over Og, the king of Bashan, who was a formidable enemy. Just as with Sihon, God assured Moses not to fear, as victory was guaranteed. Og, known for his strength and large stature, led his army against Israel at Edrei, but God delivered them into Israel's hands. The victory was total, with no survivors remaining, showing God's power and the fulfillment of His promise to defeat Israel’s enemies.

Deuteronomy 3:4-5 (NKJV):

4 “And we took all his cities at that time; there was not a city which we did not take from them: sixty cities, all the region of Argob, the kingdom of Og in Bashan.
5 All these cities were fortified with high walls, gates, and bars, besides a great many rural towns.”

The Israelites captured all of Og’s sixty cities in the region of Argob, which were heavily fortified with strong defenses. Despite these cities having high walls and gates, God granted Israel victory, showing that no human strength could withstand His power. The completeness of the conquest emphasizes that God's deliverance is decisive, regardless of the enemy's fortifications.

Deuteronomy 3:6-7 (NKJV):

6 “And we utterly destroyed them, as we did to Sihon king of Heshbon, utterly destroying the men, women, and children of every city.
7 But all the livestock and the spoil of the cities we took as booty for ourselves.”

Following the same pattern as with Sihon, Israel destroyed the inhabitants of Og's cities completely, in keeping with the command to utterly remove pagan influences. However, they took the livestock and spoils from the cities for themselves, which was permitted. This showed that God provided for His people even through their conquests, ensuring they had resources.

Deuteronomy 3:8-10 (NKJV):

8 “And at that time we took the land from the hand of the two kings of the Amorites who were on this side of the Jordan, from the River Arnon to Mount Hermon
9 (the Sidonians call Hermon Sirion, and the Amorites call it Senir),
10 all the cities of the plain, all Gilead, and all Bashan, as far as Salcah and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan.”

Moses recalls the vast territory Israel conquered from the Amorite kings, Sihon and Og. The area stretched from the Arnon River to Mount Hermon, encompassing fertile lands and important cities. This victory fulfilled God’s promise to give Israel the land. Mentioning the local names for Mount Hermon highlights the region’s significance in ancient geography and shows the breadth of Israel’s conquest.

Deuteronomy 3:11 (NKJV):

11 “For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of the giants. Indeed his bedstead was an iron bedstead. (Is it not in Rabbah of the people of Ammon?) Nine cubits is its length and four cubits its width, according to the standard cubit.”

Og’s massive iron bed, measuring around thirteen feet long and six feet wide, highlights his extraordinary size, as he was one of the last of the Rephaim (giants). The bed's mention in Rabbah underscores that Og’s legacy was well-known even outside Israel. This serves as a reminder of the scale of Israel’s victory over such a powerful adversary.

Deuteronomy 3:12-14 (NKJV):

12 “And this land, which we possessed at that time, from Aroer, which is by the River Arnon, and half the mountains of Gilead and its cities, I gave to the Reubenites and the Gadites.
13 The rest of Gilead, and all Bashan, the kingdom of Og, I gave to half the tribe of Manasseh. (All the region of Argob, with all Bashan, was called the land of the giants.)
14 Jair the son of Manasseh took all the region of Argob, as far as the border of the Geshurites and the Maachathites, and called Bashan after his own name, Havoth Jair, to this day.”

The conquered land was divided among the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh. Reuben and Gad received part of Gilead, while the Manassites, led by Jair, took Bashan, a land known for its association with giants. Jair renamed the region Havoth Jair in his honor, signifying their control over this once formidable territory and the lasting influence of the conquest.

Deuteronomy 3:15-17 (NKJV):

15 “Also I gave Gilead to Machir.
16 And to the Reubenites and the Gadites I gave from Gilead as far as the River Arnon, the middle of the river as the border, as far as the River Jabbok, the border of the people of Ammon;
17 the plain also, with the Jordan as the border, from Chinnereth as far as the east side of the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea), below the slopes of Pisgah.”

Moses details the specific territories allocated to the tribes. The land of Gilead went to Machir, a leader from the tribe of Manasseh, while Reuben and Gad received land from Gilead to the River Jabbok, near the territory of Ammon. The border extended to the Jordan River and the Salt Sea, marking the eastern extent of the land under Israelite control, setting the stage for the later division of Canaan.

Deuteronomy 3:18-20 (NKJV):

18 “Then I commanded you at that time, saying: ‘The Lord your God has given you this land to possess. All you men of valor shall cross over armed before your brethren, the children of Israel.
19 But your wives, your little ones, and your livestock (I know that you have much livestock) shall stay in your cities which I have given you,
20 until the Lord has given rest to your brethren as to you, and they also possess the land which the Lord your God is giving them beyond the Jordan. Then each of you may return to his possession which I have given you.’”

Moses commands the men of valor from Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh to cross the Jordan and help their fellow Israelites conquer the Promised Land. Their families and livestock would remain in the cities already conquered, but they must assist their brethren until everyone had received their inheritance. This demonstrates the unity of the tribes, as they were to fight together for the common good before settling in their respective lands.

Deuteronomy 3:21-22 (NKJV):

21 “And I commanded Joshua at that time, saying, ‘Your eyes have seen all that the Lord your God has done to these two kings; so will the Lord do to all the kingdoms through which you pass.
22 You must not fear them, for the Lord your God Himself fights for you.’”

Moses encourages Joshua, reminding him of the victories God granted over Sihon and Og as an assurance of future triumphs. Joshua had witnessed God's power, and this was a promise that as they entered Canaan, God would continue to fight for Israel. Moses emphasizes that the same God who defeated these powerful kings would defeat the other kingdoms they would face.

Deuteronomy 3:23-25 (NKJV):

23 “Then I pleaded with the Lord at that time, saying:
24 ‘O Lord God, You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your mighty hand, for what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do anything like Your works and Your mighty deeds?
25 I pray, let me cross over and see the good land beyond the Jordan, those pleasant mountains, and Lebanon.’”

Moses recalls his personal plea to God, asking to enter the Promised Land. Despite seeing God’s greatness and power, Moses expresses a deep desire to experience the fulfillment of the promise firsthand. His request is heartfelt, showing his longing to witness the beauty of the land he had led Israel toward, including the mountains and Lebanon.

Deuteronomy 3:26-27 (NKJV):

26 “But the Lord was angry with me on your account, and would not listen to me. So the Lord said to me: ‘Enough of that! Speak no more to Me of this matter.
27 Go up to the top of Pisgah, and lift your eyes toward the west, the north, the south, and the east; behold it with your eyes, for you shall not cross over this Jordan.’”

Despite Moses' plea, God refused to allow him to enter the Promised Land, reminding him that His decision was final. However, in His mercy, God allowed Moses to go up to Mount Pisgah and see the land from a distance. This was a bittersweet moment, as Moses could see the fulfillment of the promise to Israel but would not experience it himself.

Deuteronomy 3:28-29 (NKJV):

28 “But command Joshua, and encourage him and strengthen him; for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which you will see.’
29 So we stayed in the valley opposite Beth Peor.”

Moses was instructed to prepare Joshua to lead the people into the Promised Land. He was to encourage and strengthen him, as Joshua would carry the responsibility of guiding the Israelites into their inheritance. Moses accepted this transition of leadership and the importance of Joshua’s role in fulfilling God’s promises. The chapter closes with the Israelites staying in the valley near Beth Peor, awaiting the next steps in their journey.