Deuteronomy 3:10 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 3:10 mean?

Deuteronomy 3:10 describes the extent of the territory Israel took after defeating King Og. It names regions and cities east of the Jordan River, showing that the account covers a broad area rather than a single battlefield.

Moses is speaking to the Israelites as he recalls their journey. After the preceding verses count the captured cities, verse 10 places them across the plain, Gilead, and Bashan, reaching as far as Salchah and Edrei.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 3:10

• “plain” — מִישׁוֹר (mishor): This word can mean level ground or a plateau. Here it points to a relatively flat region, not necessarily a low-lying plain.
• “cities” — עִיר (ʿir): This word means a city or town. In this setting, the word can refer to fortified settlements, as the description of high walls and gates in verse 5 shows.

Why Deuteronomy 3:10 matters

• The verse helps locate the land in the story of Israel’s journey. The regions named here lie east of the Jordan, on the side from which the Israelites approached the land across the river.
• Salchah and Edrei give the account recognizable landmarks. The phrase “unto Salchah and Edrei” helps mark the reach of the territory being described.
• Og’s defeat involved more than the loss of one city. The words “all the cities” and “kingdom of Og” connect the captured places with the larger area under his rule.