Joshua 13:12
All the kingdom of Og in Bashan, which reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei, who remained of the remnant of the giants: for these did Moses smite, and cast them out.
Original Language Analysis
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
1 of 15
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מַמְלְכ֥וּת
All the kingdom
H4468
מַמְלְכ֥וּת
All the kingdom
Strong's:
H4468
Word #:
2 of 15
dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)
בַּבָּשָׁ֔ן
in Bashan
H1316
בַּבָּשָׁ֔ן
in Bashan
Strong's:
H1316
Word #:
4 of 15
bashan (often with the article), a region east of the jordan
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 15
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
מָלַ֥ךְ
which reigned
H4427
מָלַ֥ךְ
which reigned
Strong's:
H4427
Word #:
6 of 15
to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel
בְּעַשְׁתָּר֖וֹת
in Ashtaroth
H6252
בְּעַשְׁתָּר֖וֹת
in Ashtaroth
Strong's:
H6252
Word #:
7 of 15
ashtaroth, the name of a sidonian deity, and of a place east of the jordan
וּבְאֶדְרֶ֑עִי
and in Edrei
H154
וּבְאֶדְרֶ֑עִי
and in Edrei
Strong's:
H154
Word #:
8 of 15
edrei, the name of two places in palestine
ה֤וּא
H1931
ה֤וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
9 of 15
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
נִשְׁאַר֙
who remained
H7604
נִשְׁאַר֙
who remained
Strong's:
H7604
Word #:
10 of 15
properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant
מִיֶּ֣תֶר
of the remnant
H3499
מִיֶּ֣תֶר
of the remnant
Strong's:
H3499
Word #:
11 of 15
properly, an overhanging, i.e., (by implication) a small rope (as hanging free)
וַיַּכֵּ֥ם
smite
H5221
וַיַּכֵּ֥ם
smite
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
13 of 15
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
Historical Context
Og's kingdom in Bashan was renowned for its fortified cities and agricultural wealth. The defeat of the Rephaim—legendary warriors who terrorized the region—became a defining moment in Israel's history, frequently recalled as evidence of God's power (Deuteronomy 3:1-11, Psalm 135:10-11, 136:17-20). Bashan's oak forests and pastures made it prime territory (Ezekiel 27:6, Amos 4:1), explaining why Manasseh's half-tribe desired it.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Moses' defeat of the seemingly invincible Og encourage faith when facing overwhelming obstacles?
- What does the association of Og's cities with pagan deities teach about the spiritual warfare underlying physical conquest?
- In what ways does Christ's victory over spiritual 'giants' (sin, death, Satan) fulfill and exceed the typological conquest of the Rephaim?
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Analysis & Commentary
All the kingdom of Og in Bashan, which reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei, who remained of the remnant of the giants—Og was the last of the Rephaim (רְפָאִים, Repha'im), a race of giant warriors whose bed measured thirteen feet long (Deuteronomy 3:11). His defeat under Moses demonstrated God's power over seemingly invincible foes. Ashtaroth (עַשְׁתָּרוֹת, Ashtarot) was named after the Canaanite fertility goddess, revealing the region's spiritual darkness.
The phrase for these did Moses smite (וַיַּכֵּם מֹשֶׁה, vayakem Moshe) emphasizes completed conquest. Yet verse 13 immediately reveals Israel's failure to fully dispossess these territories. Og's defeat prefigures Christ's victory over spiritual giants—principalities and powers (Colossians 2:15). What Moses began through physical conquest, Christ completed through spiritual triumph, crushing the serpent's head (Genesis 3:15) and destroying death itself (1 Corinthians 15:26).