Deuteronomy 3:11
For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of giants; behold, his bedstead was a bedstead of iron; is it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon? nine cubits was the length thereof, and four cubits the breadth of it, after the cubit of a man.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 25
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
רַק
H7535
רַק
Strong's:
H7535
Word #:
2 of 25
properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although
הַבָּשָׁ֗ן
of Bashan
H1316
הַבָּשָׁ֗ן
of Bashan
Strong's:
H1316
Word #:
5 of 25
bashan (often with the article), a region east of the jordan
נִשְׁאַר֮
remained
H7604
נִשְׁאַר֮
remained
Strong's:
H7604
Word #:
6 of 25
properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant
מִיֶּ֣תֶר
of the remnant
H3499
מִיֶּ֣תֶר
of the remnant
Strong's:
H3499
Word #:
7 of 25
properly, an overhanging, i.e., (by implication) a small rope (as hanging free)
בַּרְזֶ֔ל
of iron
H1270
בַּרְזֶ֔ל
of iron
Strong's:
H1270
Word #:
12 of 25
iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement
הֲלֹ֣ה
is it not
H3808
הֲלֹ֣ה
is it not
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
13 of 25
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הִ֔וא
H1931
הִ֔וא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
14 of 25
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
בְּרַבַּ֖ת
in Rabbath
H7237
בְּרַבַּ֖ת
in Rabbath
Strong's:
H7237
Word #:
15 of 25
rabbah, the name of two places in palestine, east and west
בְּנֵ֣י
of the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
16 of 25
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
עַמּ֑וֹן
of Ammon
H5983
עַמּ֑וֹן
of Ammon
Strong's:
H5983
Word #:
17 of 25
ammon, a son of lot; also his posterity and their country
בְּאַמַּת
cubits
H520
בְּאַמַּת
cubits
Strong's:
H520
Word #:
19 of 25
properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)
בְּאַמַּת
cubits
H520
בְּאַמַּת
cubits
Strong's:
H520
Word #:
22 of 25
properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)
Cross References
Genesis 14:5And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer, and the kings that were with him, and smote the Rephaims in Ashteroth Karnaim, and the Zuzims in Ham, and the Emims in Shaveh Kiriathaim,Jeremiah 49:2Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will cause an alarm of war to be heard in Rabbah of the Ammonites; and it shall be a desolate heap, and her daughters shall be burned with fire: then shall Israel be heir unto them that were his heirs, saith the LORD.2 Samuel 12:26And Joab fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and took the royal city.
Historical Context
The Rephaim (giants) were ancient peoples of exceptional stature mentioned throughout Scripture. Og represented the last significant remnant of these peoples. The iron bedstead's preservation in Rabbath (Ammon's capital) served as a physical monument to God's deliverance, much like Goliath's sword kept as a memorial (1 Samuel 21:9).
Questions for Reflection
- What physical reminders of God's past victories can you preserve to strengthen future faith?
- How do you respond when facing challenges that seem larger than life?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The parenthetical note about Og's bedstead—'only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of giants'—highlights his exceptional size and the magnitude of Israel's victory. The iron bedstead measuring 'nine cubits... in length' (13.5 feet) was preserved in Rabbath as physical evidence. Archaeological detail grounds the narrative in history, showing this wasn't mythology but actual events. God's power over impressive physical obstacles testifies to His sovereignty.