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
1 “Then we turned, and we went up the road to Bashan, and Og the king of Bashan came out to meet us, he and all of his army for the battle at Edrei. 2And Yahweh said to me, ‘You should not fear him, for I have given him and all of his army#Or “people” and his land into your hand. And so you will do to him as you did to Sihon the king of the Amorites,#Hebrew “Amorite” who was reigning in Heshbon.’ 3And so Yahweh our God also gave Og the king of Bashan, and all of his army#Or “people” into our hand, and we struck him down until not a survivor remained to#Or “for” him. 4And we captured all of his towns#Or “villages/cities small” at that time; there was not a city that we did not take from them. 5All of these were fortified towns with high walls, gates, and bars,#Hebrew “bar” apart from#Literally “alone from” very many of the villages of the open country. 6And so we destroyed them just as we had done to Sihon the king of Heshbon; we destroyed utterly each town of males, the women, and the little children. 7But all of the livestock and the booty of the towns we kept as spoil for ourselves.#Hebrew “us”
8“And so we took at that time the land from the control of#Literally “the hand of” the two kings of the Amorites#Hebrew “Amorite” who were on the other side of the Jordan,#Literally “in the beyond of the Jordan” from the wadi#A valley that is dry most of the year, but contains a stream during the rainy season of Arnon up to Mount Hermon.#Literally “the mountain of Hermon” 9(The Sidonians called Hermon ‘Sirion,’ and the Amorites called it ‘Senir.’) 10All of the towns of the plateau and the whole of Gilead and all of Bashan up to Salecah and Edrei, the towns of the kingdom of Og in Bashan. 11(For only Og, king of Bashan, was left from the remnant of the Rephaim. Indeed, his bedstead—it was a bedstead of iron. It is in Rabbah of the Ammonites.#Literally “sons/children of Ammon” Nine cubits is its length, and four cubits is its width according to the cubit of a man.)
12And so we took possession of this land at that time, from Aroer, which is on the edge of the wadi#A valley that is dry most of the year, but contains a stream during the rainy season of Arnon, and also half of the hill country of Gilead and its towns I gave to the Reubenites#Hebrew “Reubenite” and to the Gadites.#Hebrew “Gadite” 13And the remainder of Gilead and all of Bashan, the kingdom of Og, I gave to the half-tribe of Manasseh, the whole region of Argo. All of that area of Bashan was called the land of the Rephaim. 14Jair the descendant#Or “son” of Manasseh acquired the whole region of Argob, up to the boundary of the Geshurites and the Maacathites, and he called it,#Hebrew “them” that is Bashan, after his own name, Havvoth Jair, as it still is today.#Literally “up to this day” 15And also I gave Gilead to Makir. 16And to the Reubenites#Hebrew “Reubenite” and to the Gadites#Hebrew “Gadite” I gave, from Gilead up to the wadi#A valley that is dry most of the year, but contains a stream during the rainy season of Arnon, the middle of the wadi#A valley that is dry most of the year, but contains a stream during the rainy season as a boundary and up to the Jabbok River,#Literally “wadi,” which here refers to a flowing river the boundary of the Ammonites.#Literally “sons/children of Ammon” 17And the Jordan Valley#Literally “Arabah” with the Jordan River as its boundary, from Kinnereth#Or “Chinnereth,” the Sea of Galilee up to the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea,#Or the Dead Sea with the slopes of Pisgah toward the east.
18“And I charged you all at that time when I said, “Yahweh has given you—to all of you—this land to possess. All the warriors#Literally “men of valor” shall cross over, ready to fight, before your brothers, the Israelites.#Literally “sons/children of Israel” 19Only your wives and your little children and your livestock (I know that you have much livestock)#Literally “livestock much there is to you” must stay in your towns that I have given you, 20until Yahweh shall give rest to your brothers as he did to you, and also they take possession of the land that Yahweh your God is giving to them beyond the Jordan; then they may return, each one to his possession that I have given to them. 21And I commanded Joshua at that time, saying, ‘Your eyes see all that Yahweh your God has done to these two kings; so Yahweh will do to all of the kingdoms where you are about to cross over to. 22You shall not fear them, for Yahweh your God is the one fighting for you.
23“And I pleaded with Yahweh at that time, saying, 24‘Lord Yahweh, you have begun to show your servant your greatness and your strong hand, for what#Hebrew “who” god is there in the heaven or on the earth who can do according to your works and according to your mighty deeds? 25Let me cross over, please, and let me see the good land that is beyond the Jordan,#Literally “in the beyond of the Jordan” this good hill country and Lebanon.’ 26But Yahweh was very angry with me because of you, and he would not listen to me, and Yahweh said, ‘Enough of that from you!#Literally “Much to you” You shall not speak to me any longer about this matter! 27Go up to the top of Pisgah and look around you#Literally “lift up your eyes” toward the west, toward the north, and toward the east, and view#Literally “look” the land with your eyes, for you will not cross this Jordan. 28Now instruct Joshua and support him and encourage him because he himself#Emphatic use of the pronoun will cross over before this people and enable them to inherit the land that you will see.’ 29So we remained in the valley opposite Beth Peor.
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