So they smote him, and his sons, and all his people, until there was none left him alive: and they possessed his land.

NUMBERS 21:35KJV
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Numbers 21:35 (KJV)

What does Numbers 21:35 mean?

Numbers 21:35 describes how the Israelites, under Moses’ leadership, defeated King Og, his sons, and all his people, leaving no survivors, and took possession of his land. This verse shows a complete military victory and the transfer of territory to the Israelites.

Moses is leading the Israelites as they journey toward the Promised Land. In this situation, King Og of Bashan comes out to fight them, but the Israelites, following God’s command, destroy Og and his people entirely. The verse marks the end of this battle and highlights the Israelites’ success in claiming new territory as they move closer to Canaan.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 21:35

  • "smote" (נָכָה, nākhāh) means to strike or defeat decisively; here, it emphasizes the thoroughness of the Israelites’ victory over Og and his forces.
  • "possessed" (יָרַשׁ, yārash) means to take possession or inherit; this word is often used in the context of taking land, showing that the Israelites not only won the battle but also settled in the conquered territory.
  • "none" (בְּלִי, belî) and "left" (שָׁאַר, shā’ar) together stress that no one was left alive, underlining the totality of the defeat.
  • "alive" (שָׂרִיד, sārid) refers to any survivor; the verse makes clear that there were no survivors among Og’s people.

Why Numbers 21:35 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the Israelites’ victory over Og was absolute, leaving no survivors, which was significant for their security and future settlement.
  • The use of strong language for “possessed his land” connects this event to God’s earlier promises about giving land to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
  • Numbers 21:35 links to the broader narrative of Israel’s journey, showing how God’s help enabled them to overcome formidable enemies as they approached the Promised Land.

Where else these words appear

“alive” Hebrew H8300 · used in 28 verses

  • Numbers 24:19 Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city.
  • Joshua 10:39 And he took it, and the king thereof, and all the cities thereof; and they smote them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed all the souls that were therein; he left none remaining: as he had done to Hebron, so he did to Debir, and to the king thereof; as he had done also to Libnah, and to her king.
  • Isaiah 1:9 Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.

“none” Hebrew H1115 · used in 29 verses

  • Genesis 3:11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?
  • Numbers 11:6 But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes.
  • Job 14:12 So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.

“left” Hebrew H7604 · used in 123 verses

  • Genesis 7:23 And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.
  • Joshua 13:2 This is the land that yet remaineth: all the borders of the Philistines, and all Geshuri,
  • Nehemiah 1:2 That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.