Deuteronomy 3
3
Defeat of King Og of Bashan
1 Next we set out on#tn Heb “turned and went up.” the route to Bashan,#sn Bashan. This plateau country, famous for its oaks (Isa 2:13) and cattle (Deut 32:14; Amos 4:1), was north of Gilead along the Yarmuk River. but King Og of Bashan and his whole army#tn Heb “people.” came out to meet us in battle at Edrei.#sn Edrei is probably modern Deràa, 60 mi (95 km) south of Damascus (see Num 21:33; Josh 12:4; 13:12, 31; also mentioned in Deut 1:4). 2 The Lord, however, said to me, “Don’t be afraid of him because I have already given him, his whole army,#tn Heb “people.” and his land to you. You will do to him exactly what you did to King Sihon of the Amorites who lived in Heshbon.” 3 So the Lord our God did indeed give over to us King Og of Bashan and his whole army and we struck them down until not a single survivor was left.#tn Heb “was left to him.” The final phrase “to him” is redundant in English and has been left untranslated. 4 We captured all his cities at that time – there was not a town we did not take from them – sixty cities, all the region of Argob,#sn Argob. This is a subdistrict of Bashan, perhaps north of the Yarmuk River. See Y. Aharoni, Land of the Bible, 314. the dominion of Og in Bashan. 5 All of these cities were fortified by high walls, gates, and locking bars;#tn Or “high walls and barred gates” (NLT); Heb “high walls, gates, and bars.” Since “bars” could be understood to mean “saloons,” the qualifying adjective “locking” has been supplied in the translation. in addition there were a great many open villages.#tn The Hebrew term פְּרָזִי (pÿraziy) refers to rural areas, at the most “unwalled villages” (KJV, NASB “unwalled towns”). 6 We put all of these under divine judgment#tn Heb “we put them under the ban” (נַחֲרֵם, nakharem). See note at 2:34.sn The divine curse. See note on this phrase in Deut 2:34. just as we had done to King Sihon of Heshbon – every occupied city,#tn Heb “city of men.” including women and children. 7 But all the livestock and plunder from the cities we kept for ourselves. 8 So at that time we took the land of the two Amorite kings in the Transjordan from Wadi Arnon to Mount Hermon#sn Mount Hermon. This is the famous peak at the southern end of the Anti-Lebanon mountain range known today as Jebel es-Sheik. 9 (the Sidonians#sn Sidonians were Phoenician inhabitants of the city of Sidon (now in Lebanon), about 47 mi (75 km) north of Mount Carmel. call Hermon Sirion#sn Sirion. This name is attested in the Ugaritic texts as sryn. See UT 495. and the Amorites call it Senir),#sn Senir. Probably this was actually one of the peaks of Hermon and not the main mountain (Song of Songs 4:8; 1 Chr 5:23). It is mentioned in a royal inscription of Shalmaneser III of Assyria (saniru; see ANET 280). 10 all the cities of the plateau, all of Gilead and Bashan as far as Salecah#sn Salecah. Today this is known as Salkhad, in Jordan, about 31 mi (50 km) east of the Jordan River in the Hauran Desert. and Edrei,#sn Edrei. See note on this term in 3:1. cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan. 11 Only King Og of Bashan was left of the remaining Rephaites. (It is noteworthy#tn Heb “Behold” (הִנֵּה, hinneh). that his sarcophagus#tn The Hebrew term עֶרֶשׂ (’eres), traditionally translated “bed” (cf. NAB, NIV, NRSV, NLT) is likely a basaltic (volcanic) stone sarcophagus of suitable size to contain the coffin of the giant Rephaite king. Its iron-like color and texture caused it to be described as an iron container. See A. Millard, “King Og’s Iron Bed: Fact or Fancy?” BR 6 (1990): 16-21, 44; cf. also NEB “his sarcophagus of basalt”; TEV, CEV “his coffin.” was made of iron.#tn Or “of iron-colored basalt.” See note on the word “sarcophagus” earlier in this verse. Does it not, indeed, still remain in Rabbath#sn Rabbath. This place name (usually occurring as Rabbah; 2 Sam 11:11; 12:27; Jer 49:3) refers to the ancient capital of the Ammonite kingdom, now the modern city of Amman, Jordan. The word means “great [one],” probably because of its political importance. The fact that the sarcophagus “still remain[ed]” there suggests this part of the verse is post-Mosaic, having been added as a matter of explanation for the existence of the artifact and also to verify the claim as to its size. of the Ammonites? It is thirteen and a half feet#tn Heb “nine cubits.” Assuming a length of 18 in (45 cm) for the standard cubit, this would be 13.5 ft (4.1 m) long. long and six feet#tn Heb “four cubits.” This would be 6 ft (1.8 m) wide. wide according to standard measure.)#tn Heb “by the cubit of man.” This probably refers to the “short” or “regular” cubit of approximately 18 in (45 cm).
Distribution of the Transjordanian Allotments
12 This is the land we brought under our control at that time: The territory extending from Aroer#tn The words “the territory extending” are not in the Hebrew text; they are supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.sn Aroer. See note on this term in Deut 2:36. by the Wadi Arnon and half the Gilead hill country with its cities I gave to the Reubenites and Gadites.#sn Reubenites and Gadites. By the time of Moses’ address the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh had already been granted permission to settle in the Transjordan, provided they helped the other tribes subdue the occupants of Canaan (cf. Num 32:28-42). 13 The rest of Gilead and all of Bashan, the kingdom of Og, I gave to half the tribe of Manasseh.#sn Half the tribe of Manasseh. The tribe of Manasseh split into clans, with half opting to settle in Bashan and the other half in Canaan (cf. Num 32:39-42; Josh 17:1-13). (All the region of Argob,#sn Argob. See note on this term in v. 4. that is, all Bashan, is called the land of Rephaim. 14 Jair, son of Manasseh, took all the Argob region as far as the border with the Geshurites#sn Geshurites. Geshur was a city and its surrounding area somewhere northeast of Bashan (cf. Josh 12:5 ; 13:11, 13). One of David’s wives was Maacah, the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur and mother of Absalom (cf. 2 Sam 13:37; 15:8; 1 Chr 3:2). and Maacathites#sn Maacathites. These were the people of a territory southwest of Mount Hermon on the Jordan River. The name probably has nothing to do with David’s wife from Geshur (see note on “Geshurites” earlier in this verse). (namely Bashan) and called it by his name, Havvoth-Jair,#sn Havvoth-Jair. The Hebrew name means “villages of Jair,” the latter being named after a son (i.e., descendant) of Manasseh who took the area by conquest. which it retains to this very day.) 15 I gave Gilead to Machir.#sn Machir was the name of another descendant of Manasseh (cf. Num 32:41; 1 Chr 7:14-19). Eastern Manasseh was thus divided between the Jairites and the Machirites. 16 To the Reubenites and Gadites I allocated the territory extending from Gilead as far as Wadi Arnon (the exact middle of the wadi was a boundary) all the way to the Wadi Jabbok, the Ammonite border. 17 The Arabah and the Jordan River#tn The word “River” is not in the Hebrew text, but has been supplied in the translation for clarity (also in vv. 20, 25). were also a border, from the sea of Chinnereth#tn Heb “from Chinnereth.” The words “the sea of” have been supplied in the translation as a clarification.sn Chinnereth. This is another name for the Sea of Galilee, so called because its shape is that of a harp (the Hebrew term for “harp” is כִּנּוֹר, kinnor). to the sea of the Arabah (that is, the Salt Sea),#sn The Salt Sea is another name for the Dead Sea (cf. Gen 14:3; Josh 3:16). beneath the watershed#tn The meaning of the Hebrew term אַשְׁדֹּת (’ashdot) is unclear. It is usually translated either “slopes” (ASV, NAB, NIV) or “watershed” (NEB). of Pisgah#sn Pisgah. This appears to refer to a small range of mountains, the most prominent peak of which is Mount Nebo (Num 21:20; 23:14; Deut 3:27; cf. 34:1). to the east.
Instructions to the Transjordanian Tribes
18 At that time I instructed you as follows: “The Lord your God has given you this land for your possession. You warriors are to cross over before your fellow Israelites#tn Heb “your brothers, the sons of Israel.” equipped for battle. 19 But your wives, children, and livestock (of which I know you have many) may remain in the cities I have given you. 20 You must fight#tn The words “you must fight” are not present in the Hebrew text, but are supplied in the translation for clarity. until the Lord gives your countrymen victory#tn Heb “gives your brothers rest.” as he did you and they take possession of the land that the Lord your God is giving them on the other side of the Jordan River. Then each of you may return to his own territory that I have given you.” 21 I also commanded Joshua at the same time, “You have seen everything the Lord your God did to these two kings; he#tn Heb “the Lord.” The translation uses the pronoun (“he”) for stylistic reasons, to avoid redundancy. will do the same to all the kingdoms where you are going.#tn Heb “which you are crossing over there.” 22 Do not be afraid of them, for the Lord your God will personally fight for you.”
Denial to Moses of the Promised Land
23 Moreover, at that time I pleaded with the Lord, 24 “O, Lord God,#tn Heb “Lord Lord.” The phrase אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה (’adonay yÿhvih) is customarily rendered by Jewish tradition as “Lord God.” Cf. NIV, TEV, NLT “Sovereign Lord.” you have begun to show me#tn Heb “your servant.” The pronoun is used in the translation to clarify that Moses is speaking of himself, since in contemporary English one does not usually refer to oneself in third person. your greatness and strength.#tn Heb “your strong hand” (so NIV), a symbol of God’s activity. (What god in heaven or earth can rival your works and mighty deeds?) 25 Let me please cross over to see the good land on the other side of the Jordan River – this good hill country and the Lebanon!”#tn The article is retained in the translation (“the Lebanon,” cf. also NAB, NRSV) to indicate that a region (rather than the modern country of Lebanon) is referred to here. Other recent English versions accomplish this by supplying “mountains” after “Lebanon” (TEV, CEV, NLT). 26 But the Lord was angry at me because of you and would not listen to me. Instead, he#tn Heb “the Lord.” For stylistic reasons the pronoun (“he”) has been used in the translation here. said to me, “Enough of that!#tn Heb “much to you” (an idiom). Do not speak to me anymore about this matter. 27 Go up to the top of Pisgah and take a good look to the west, north, south, and east,#tn Heb “lift your eyes to the west, north, south, and east and see with your eyes.” The translation omits the repetition of “your eyes” for stylistic reasons. for you will not be allowed to cross the Jordan. 28 Commission#tn Heb “command”; KJV, NASB, NRSV “charge Joshua.” Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, because he will lead these people over and will enable them to inherit the land you will see.” 29 So we settled down in the valley opposite Beth Peor.#sn Beth Peor. This is probably the spot near Pisgah where Balaam attempted to curse the nation Israel (Num 23:28). The Moabites also worshiped Baal there by the name “Baal [of] Peor” (Num 25:1-5).
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Deuteronomy 3
3
The Defeat of King Og
1“Then we turned and went up the way to Bashan. And #ch. 29:7; Num. 21:33, 35 Og the king of Bashan came out against us, he and all his people, to battle at #See ch. 1:4Edrei. 2But the Lord said to me, ‘Do not fear him, for I have given him and all his people and his land into your hand. And you shall do to him as you did to #See Num. 21:23-26, 34Sihon the king of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon.’ 3So the Lord our God gave into our hand Og also, the king of Bashan, and all his people, #Num. 21:35and we struck him down until he had no survivor left. 4And we took all his cities at that time—there was not a city that we did not take from them—sixty cities, #1 Kgs. 4:13the whole region of Argob, the kingdom of Og in Bashan. 5All these were cities fortified with high walls, gates, and bars, besides very many unwalled villages. 6And #See ch. 7:2; Ps. 135:10-12 we devoted them to destruction,#3:6 That is, set apart (devoted) as an offering to the Lord (for destruction); twice in this verse as we did to Sihon the king of Heshbon, devoting to destruction every #ch. 2:34city, men, women, and children. 7But all the livestock and the spoil of the cities we took as our plunder. 8So we took the land at that time out of the hand of the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, from the Valley of the Arnon to Mount Hermon 9(the Sidonians call #ch. 4:48; Josh. 11:3, 17; 12:5 Hermon #Ps. 29:6; [ch. 4:48] Sirion, while the Amorites call it #1 Chr. 5:23; Song 4:8; Ezek. 27:5Senir), 10all the cities of the #ch. 4:43; Josh. 13:9, 16, 17, 21; Jer. 48:8, 21 tableland and all Gilead and all Bashan, as far as #Josh. 12:5; 13:11; 1 Chr. 5:11Salecah and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan. 11(For #ch. 2:11, 20 only Og the king of Bashan was left of the remnant of #See Gen. 14:5 the Rephaim. Behold, his bed was a bed of iron. Is it not in #2 Sam. 11:1; 12:26; Jer. 49:2; Ezek. 21:20; 25:5; Amos 1:14 Rabbah of the Ammonites? Nine cubits#3:11 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters was its length, and four cubits its breadth, according to the #[Rev. 21:17]common cubit.#3:11 Hebrew cubit of a man)
12“When we took possession of this land at that time, I gave to the Reubenites and the Gadites the territory beginning #See ch. 2:36 at Aroer, which is on the edge of the Valley of the Arnon, and half the hill country of Gilead with #See Num. 32:32-38; Josh. 13:8-13its cities. 13#See Num. 32:39-42; Josh. 13:29-31 The rest of Gilead, and all Bashan, the kingdom of Og, that is, #1 Kgs. 4:13 all the region of Argob, I gave to the half-tribe of Manasseh. (All that portion of Bashan is called the land of #[See ver. 11 above]Rephaim. 14#Num. 32:41; [1 Chr. 2:22, 23] Jair the Manassite took all the region of Argob, that is, Bashan, as far as the border of #Josh. 12:5; 13:11, 13; 2 Sam. 3:3; 10:6; 13:37, 38 the Geshurites and the Maacathites, and called the villages #Num. 32:41after his own name, Havvoth-jair, as it is to this day.) 15To Machir #Num. 32:39I gave Gilead, 16and to the Reubenites #[2 Sam. 24:5] and the Gadites I gave the territory from Gilead as far as the Valley of the Arnon, with the middle of the valley as a border, as far over as the river Jabbok, #Num. 21:24; Josh. 12:2the border of the Ammonites; 17the Arabah also, with the Jordan as the border, from #See Num. 34:11 Chinnereth as far as #ch. 4:49; Josh. 3:16; 12:3; 2 Kgs. 14:25 the Sea of the Arabah, #See Gen. 14:3 the Salt Sea, under #[Num. 21:15]the slopes of Pisgah on the east.
18“And I commanded you at that time, saying, ‘The Lord your God has given you this land to possess. #Num. 32:20, 21; Josh. 1:14; 4:12All your men of valor shall cross over armed before your brothers, the people of Israel. 19Only your wives, your little ones, and your livestock #Num. 32:1, 4(I know that you have much livestock) shall remain in the cities that I have given you, 20#Josh. 22:4until the Lord gives rest to your brothers, as to you, and they also occupy the land that the Lord your God gives them beyond the Jordan. Then each of you may return to his possession which I have given you.’ 21And I commanded #[Num. 27:18]Joshua at that time, ‘Your eyes have seen all that the Lord your God has done to these two kings. So will the Lord do to all the kingdoms into which you are crossing. 22You shall not fear them, for it is #See Ex. 14:14the Lord your God who fights for you.’
Moses Forbidden to Enter the Land
23“And I pleaded with the Lord at that time, saying, 24‘O Lord God, you have only begun to show your servant #ch. 5:24; 11:2; 32:3; 1 Chr. 29:11 your greatness and your mighty hand. For #See Ex. 15:11what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as yours? 25Please let me go over and see #ch. 4:22; Ex. 3:8 the good land beyond the Jordan, that good hill country and #[Josh. 1:4]Lebanon.’ 26But #See ch. 1:37 the Lord was angry with me because of you and would not listen to me. And the Lord said to me, #[2 Cor. 12:9]‘Enough from you; do not speak to me of this matter again. 27#Num. 27:12, 13Go up to the top of Pisgah and lift up your eyes westward and northward and southward and eastward, and look at it with your eyes, for you shall not go over this Jordan. 28But #ch. 1:38; 31:3, 7; Num. 27:23charge Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he shall go over at the head of this people, and he shall put them in possession of the land that you shall see.’ 29So we remained in #ch. 4:46; 34:6the valley opposite Beth-peor.
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