And the LORD said unto Moses, Fear him not: for I have delivered him into thy hand, and all his people, and his land; and thou shalt do to him as thou didst unto Sihon king of the Amorites, which dwelt at Heshbon.

NUMBERS 21:34KJV
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Numbers 21:34 (KJV)

What does Numbers 21:34 mean?

Numbers 21:34 records God telling Moses not to be afraid of Og, king of Bashan, because God has already given Og, his people, and his land into Israel’s control. God assures Moses that Israel will defeat Og just as they defeated Sihon, king of the Amorites.

In this verse, the LORD (God) speaks directly to Moses as the Israelites approach another enemy king while traveling toward the Promised Land. The reassurance is specific: God’s promise covers not just Og himself but also his people and territory. The reference to Sihon reminds Moses of a recent victory, encouraging him to trust God’s continued help in this new challenge.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 21:34

  • LORD (יְהוָה, Yahweh): This is the personal name of God, highlighting that the promise comes from Israel’s covenant God, not a generic deity.
  • Fear (יָרֵא, yare’): This word means to be afraid or to stand in awe. Here, it is a command not to be intimidated, emphasizing God’s control over the situation.
  • Delivered (נָתַן, natan): This verb means “to give” or “to hand over.” God says He has already handed Og over, stressing that the outcome is certain from God’s perspective.
  • Hand (יָד, yad): In Hebrew, “hand” often symbolizes power or control. God is saying that Og is now under Moses’ power because of God’s intervention.

Why Numbers 21:34 matters

  • Numbers 21:34 clears up any doubt about whether Israel’s victories are due to their own strength; the verse makes it clear that God is the one delivering their enemies into their hands.
  • The verse connects to the larger story by reminding Moses and the people of God’s faithfulness in past battles, specifically with Sihon, reinforcing their trust as they face new threats.
  • This reassurance sets the stage for the defeat of Og, showing a pattern of God’s promises and their fulfillment as Israel moves closer to the Promised Land.

Where else these words appear

“Sihon” Hebrew H5511 · used in 34 verses

  • Numbers 21:21 And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,
  • Deuteronomy 2:31 And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have begun to give Sihon and his land before thee: begin to possess, that thou mayest inherit his land.
  • Joshua 13:10 And all the cities of Sihon king of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, unto the border of the children of Ammon;

“Heshbon” Hebrew H2809 · used in 37 verses

  • Numbers 21:25 And Israel took all these cities: and Israel dwelt in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon, and in all the villages thereof.
  • Deuteronomy 3:6 And we utterly destroyed them, as we did unto Sihon king of Heshbon, utterly destroying the men, women, and children, of every city.
  • Judges 11:19 And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, the king of Heshbon; and Israel said unto him, Let us pass, we pray thee, through thy land into my place.

“Amorites” Hebrew H567 · used in 86 verses

  • Genesis 10:16 And the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgasite,
  • Deuteronomy 1:44 And the Amorites, which dwelt in that mountain, came out against you, and chased you, as bees do, and destroyed you in Seir, even unto Hormah.
  • Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.