Then we turned, and went up the way to Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan came out against us, he and all his people, to battle at Edrei.

DEUTERONOMY 3:1KJV
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Deuteronomy 3:1 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 3:1 mean?

Deuteronomy 3:1 describes how the Israelites, led by Moses, traveled toward the region of Bashan. As they approached, Og, the king of Bashan, gathered his people and came out to fight them at a place called Edrei.

In this verse, Moses is recounting the events to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. The verse sets the scene for a significant confrontation, showing that the Israelites faced strong opposition from established kings and peoples as they journeyed through new territories.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 3:1

  • בָּשָׁן (Bashan, transliterated "Bashan") refers to a fertile region northeast of the Sea of Galilee, known for its rich pastures and strong cities. Mentioning Bashan highlights the significance of the territory the Israelites were entering.
  • עוֹג (Og, transliterated "Og") is the name of the king who ruled Bashan. Og is often remembered in the Bible as a giant and a formidable enemy, emphasizing the challenge the Israelites faced.
  • מִלְחָמָה (milchamah, transliterated "milchamah") means "battle" or "war." The use of this word makes it clear that this was not just a meeting or negotiation, but an armed conflict.
  • אֶדְרֶעִי (Edrei, transliterated "Edrei") is the name of the city where the battle took place. Naming the location grounds the story in a real, historical setting.

Why Deuteronomy 3:1 matters

  • This verse shows that the Israelites did not simply walk into the land unopposed; they had to face and overcome powerful rulers like Og, which underscores the challenges of their journey.
  • Mentioning specific places and people, like Bashan and Og, connects the story to real locations and figures, reinforcing the historical nature of the events Moses is describing.
  • The confrontation at Edrei sets up the following verses, where the outcome of the battle demonstrates both the danger the Israelites faced and the help they believed they received.

Where else these words appear

“Edrei” Hebrew H154 · used in 8 verses

  • Numbers 21:33 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.
  • Deuteronomy 3:10 All the cities of the plain, and all Gilead, and all Bashan, unto Salchah and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan.
  • Joshua 13:12 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.

“Og” Hebrew H5747 · used in 22 verses

  • Numbers 21:33 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.
  • Deuteronomy 3:13 And the rest of Gilead, and all Bashan, being the kingdom of Og, gave I unto the half tribe of Manasseh; all the region of Argob, with all Bashan, which was called the land of giants.
  • Joshua 13:12 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.

“Bashan” Hebrew H1316 · used in 53 verses

  • Numbers 21:33 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.
  • Joshua 13:11 And Gilead, and the border of the Geshurites and Maachathites, and all mount Hermon, and all Bashan unto Salcah;
  • 1 Chronicles 6:62 And to the sons of Gershom throughout their families out of the tribe of Issachar, and out of the tribe of Asher, and out of the tribe of Naphtali, and out of the tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities.

“against” Hebrew H7125 · used in 117 verses

  • Genesis 14:17 And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale.
  • Judges 7:24 And Gideon sent messengers throughout all mount Ephraim, saying, Come down against the Midianites, and take before them the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan. Then all the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and took the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan.
  • 1 Kings 2:8 And, behold, thou hast with thee Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite of Bahurim, which cursed me with a grievous curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim: but he came down to meet me at Jordan, and I sware to him by the LORD, saying, I will not put thee to death with the sword.