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.

NUMBERS 21:33KJV
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Numbers 21:33 (KJV)

What does Numbers 21:33 mean?

Numbers 21:33 tells how the Israelites, traveling through the wilderness, turned and went up toward the region called Bashan. Og, the king of Bashan, came out with all his people to fight against the Israelites at a place called Edrei.

This verse describes a moment in the Israelites’ journey when they faced a new threat after moving past previous obstacles. The focus is on the confrontation with Og, a local ruler, who gathers his people for battle as the Israelites approach his territory. The verse sets the stage for a significant encounter that follows in the next verses.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 21:33

  • "turned" (פָּנָה, panah): This word means to change direction or to turn. It highlights that the Israelites deliberately shifted their route, not just continuing straight on.
  • "Bashan" (בָּשָׁן, Bashan): This is the name of a fertile region northeast of the Jordan River, known in ancient times for its strong cities and giant inhabitants. Mentioning Bashan signals the importance and challenge of the area.
  • "Og" (עֹג, Og): The name of the king of Bashan. Og is remembered in the Bible as a formidable opponent, often associated with legends of great size and strength.
  • "battle" (מִלְחָמָה, milchamah): This word means a fight or war. Its use here makes clear that what is about to happen is not just a skirmish but a significant military engagement.
  • "Edrei" (אֶדְרֶעִי, Edrei): The name of the city where the battle takes place. Naming the location grounds the story in a real, historical setting.

Why Numbers 21:33 matters

  • Numbers 21:33 marks a turning point where the Israelites face a new and powerful enemy, showing that their journey to the Promised Land involves ongoing challenges.
  • The mention of Og and Bashan connects this verse to other biblical stories about giants and strongholds, adding weight to the victory that follows.
  • By naming Edrei, the verse roots the story in a specific place, which helps readers see the events as part of real history rather than legend.

Where else these words appear

“Edrei” Hebrew H154 · used in 8 verses

  • Deuteronomy 1:4 After he had slain Sihon the king of the Amorites, which dwelt in Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, which dwelt at Astaroth in 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 32:33 And Moses gave unto them, even to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and unto half the tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, the land, with the cities thereof in the coasts, even the cities of the country round about.
  • 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 32:33 And Moses gave unto them, even to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and unto half the tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, the land, with the cities thereof in the coasts, even the cities of the country round about.
  • 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.