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
Defeat of Og. 1Then we turned and proceeded up the road to Bashan. But Og, king of Bashan,#Nm 21:33–35. came out against us with all his people to give battle at Edrei. 2The Lord said to me, Do not be afraid of him, for I have delivered him into your power with all his people and his land. Do to him as you did to Sihon, king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon. 3And thus the Lord, our God, delivered into our power also Og, king of Bashan, with all his people. We defeated him so completely that we left him no survivor. 4At that time we captured all his cities; there was no town we did not take: sixty cities in all, the whole region of Argob, the kingdom of Og in Bashan— 5all these cities were fortified with high walls and gates and bars—besides a great number of unwalled towns. 6#Dt 2:34–35; 7:2, 26; 13:16, 18; 20:16–18; Jos 10:40; 11:11–12. As we had done to Sihon, king of Heshbon, so also here we put all the towns under the ban, men, women and children; 7but all the livestock and the spoils of each city we took as plunder for ourselves.
8And so at that time we took from the two kings of the Amorites beyond the Jordan the territory from the Wadi Arnon to Mount Hermon 9(the Sidonians call Hermon Sirion and the Amorites call it Senir), 10all the towns of the plateau, all of Gilead, and all of Bashan as far as Salecah and Edrei, towns of the kingdom of Og in Bashan. 11(Og, king of Bashan, was the last remaining survivor of the Rephaim. He had a bed of iron,#Bed of iron: some translate, “a sarcophagus of basalt”; its dimensions would be approximately thirteen and a half feet by six feet. nine regular cubits long and four wide, which is still preserved in Rabbah of the Ammonites.)#Dt 2:11, 20; 3:13; Gn 14:5; 15:20; Jos 12:4; 13:12; 17:15.
Allotment of the Conquered Lands. 12#Nm 32:1–42; Jos 13:8–33. As for the land we took possession of at that time, I gave Reuben and Gad the territory from Aroer, on the edge of the Wadi Arnon, halfway up into the highlands of Gilead, with its cities. 13The rest of Gilead and all of Bashan, the kingdom of Og, I gave to the half-tribe of Manasseh. (The whole Argob region, all that part of Bashan, was once called a land of the Rephaim.#Dt 2:11, 20; 3:11; Gn 14:5; 15:20; Jos 12:4; 13:12; 17:15. 14Jair, a Manassite,#Nm 32:41; Jgs 10:4; 1 Chr 2:23. took all the region of Argob as far as the border of the Geshurites and Maacathites, and named them—Bashan, that is—after himself, Havvoth-jair, the name it bears today.) 15To Machir#Machir: a clan of the tribe of Manasseh (cf. Gn 50:23). I gave Gilead, 16and to Reuben and Gad the territory from Gilead to the Wadi Arnon—the middle of the wadi being its boundary—and to the Wadi Jabbok, which is the border of the Ammonites, 17as well as the Arabah with the Jordan and its banks from Chinnereth#Chinnereth: later known as the Lake of Gennesaret and the Sea of Galilee. The Salt Sea: the Dead Sea. Pisgah: a mountain range to the northeast of the Salt Sea; Mount Nebo, from which Moses viewed the promised land, is in this range (cf. v. 27; 34:1). to the Salt Sea of the Arabah, under the slopes of Pisgah on the east.
18#Jos 1:12–15; 4:12; 22:1–4. At that time I charged you: The Lord, your God, has given you this land as your possession. But all your troops equipped for battle must cross over in the vanguard of your fellow Israelites. 19But your wives and children, as well as your livestock, of which I know you have a large number, shall remain behind in the towns I have given you, 20until the Lord has settled your relatives as well, and they too possess the land which the Lord, your God, will give them on the other side of the Jordan. Then you may all return to the possessions I have given you.
21And I charged Joshua as well, “Your own eyes have seen all that the Lord, your God, has done to both these kings; so, too, will the Lord do to all the kingdoms into which you will cross over. 22Do not fear them, for it is the Lord, your God, who will fight for you.”#Dt 1:30; Ex 14:13–14.
Moses Excluded from the Promised Land. 23#Nm 27:12–23. It was then that I entreated the Lord, 24“Lord God, you have begun to show to your servant your greatness and your mighty hand. What god in heaven or on earth can perform deeds and powerful acts like yours? 25Ah, let me cross over and see the good land beyond the Jordan, that fine hill country, and the Lebanon!” 26But the Lord was angry with me on your account#On your account: that Moses saw but never entered the promised land is attested by every Pentateuchal tradition, but different reasons are given in different places. Nm 20:12 and Dt 32:51 present Moses as being at fault. Here, as in 1:37 and 4:21, the fault lies in the people but affects Moses. and would not hear me.#Dt 4:21. The Lord said to me, Enough! Speak to me no more of this. 27Go up to the top of Pisgah and look out to the west, and to the north, and to the south, and to the east. Look well, for you shall not cross this Jordan.#Dt 3:17; 32:48–52; 34:1–4. 28Commission Joshua,#Dt 1:38; 31:7–8. and encourage and strengthen him, for it is he who will cross at the head of this people and he who will give them possession of the land you are to see.
29So we remained in the valley opposite Beth-peor.
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