For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of giants; behold, his bedstead was a bedstead of iron; is it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon? nine cubits was the length thereof, and four cubits the breadth of it, after the cubit of a man.
DEUTERONOMY 3:11KJVWhat does Deuteronomy 3:11 mean?
Deuteronomy 3:11 describes how Og, king of Bashan, was the last survivor of a group known as the giants, and that his bed was made of iron and measured about thirteen and a half feet long and six feet wide, according to the standard measurement of a man. The verse points out that this bed could still be seen in Rabbath, a city of the Ammonites.
In this verse, Moses is speaking to the Israelites, reminding them of their victory over Og during their journey to the Promised Land. The details about Og’s bed highlight his unusual size and strength, emphasizing the significance of Israel’s triumph over such a formidable opponent. The mention of the bed’s location in Rabbath suggests that this was a well-known and tangible proof of the story for the original audience.
The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 3:11
- "giants" (רְפָאִים, repha'im): This word refers to a group of ancient people often described as unusually tall or mighty. The verse uses this term to underline Og’s extraordinary stature.
- "bedstead" (עֶרֶשׂ, eres): This word can mean a bed or couch. The fact that Og’s bed was specifically made of iron (בַּרְזֶל, barzel) rather than wood suggests it needed to be especially sturdy, likely due to his size.
- "cubit" (אַמָּה, ammah): A cubit is a traditional unit of length, roughly the distance from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger (about 18 inches or 45 centimeters). The verse clarifies that the measurement is "after the cubit of a man," meaning a standard human measure, not an exaggerated one.
Why Deuteronomy 3:11 matters
- This verse clears up that the term "giants" refers to a specific group known in the region, not just a general description of tall people, helping modern readers understand the historical context.
- By mentioning the iron bed and its measurements, the verse emphasizes the reality and impressiveness of Og’s physical presence, making Israel’s victory seem even more remarkable.
- The reference to Rabbath and the bed’s continued existence there serves as a kind of historical marker, inviting the original audience to verify the story for themselves and reinforcing the credibility of Moses’ account.