Deuteronomy 3:1
Then we turned, and went up the way to Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan came out against us, he and all his people, to battle at Edrei.
Original Language Analysis
וַנֵּ֣פֶן
Then we turned
H6437
וַנֵּ֣פֶן
Then we turned
Strong's:
H6437
Word #:
1 of 14
to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc
וַנַּ֔עַל
and went up
H5927
וַנַּ֔עַל
and went up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
2 of 14
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
דֶּ֖רֶךְ
the way
H1870
דֶּ֖רֶךְ
the way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
3 of 14
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
הַבָּשָׁ֨ן
of Bashan
H1316
הַבָּשָׁ֨ן
of Bashan
Strong's:
H1316
Word #:
4 of 14
bashan (often with the article), a region east of the jordan
וַיֵּצֵ֣א
came out
H3318
וַיֵּצֵ֣א
came out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
5 of 14
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
הַבָּשָׁ֨ן
of Bashan
H1316
הַבָּשָׁ֨ן
of Bashan
Strong's:
H1316
Word #:
8 of 14
bashan (often with the article), a region east of the jordan
לִקְרָאתֵ֜נוּ
against
H7125
לִקְרָאתֵ֜נוּ
against
Strong's:
H7125
Word #:
9 of 14
an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)
ה֧וּא
H1931
ה֧וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
10 of 14
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
11 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עַמּ֛וֹ
us he and all his people
H5971
עַמּ֛וֹ
us he and all his people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
12 of 14
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
Cross References
Deuteronomy 1:4After he had slain Sihon the king of the Amorites, which dwelt in Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, which dwelt at Astaroth in Edrei:Deuteronomy 29:7And when ye came unto this place, Sihon the king of Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, came out against us unto battle, and we smote them:Psalms 136:20And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Historical Context
Bashan was a fertile plateau region northeast of the Sea of Galilee, known for strong cattle (Psalm 22:12) and oak trees. Og's kingdom included 60 fortified cities (Deuteronomy 3:4-5). This conquest gave Israel control of the entire Transjordan from the Arnon to Mount Hermon.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you discern when conflict is initiated by enemies versus when you're inappropriately aggressive?
- What strategic territories in your spiritual life need to be conquered and possessed?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The phrase 'we turned, and went up the way to Bashan' marks forward movement toward the Transjordan conquest. Og king of Bashan's aggressive response ('Og came out against us') provoked defensive warfare. Unlike Edom and Moab (which Israel was forbidden to attack), Bashan wasn't under divine protection. God sometimes allows enemies to initiate conflict to justify necessary battles. Og's aggression served God's purposes to give Israel this strategic territory.