Numbers 21:33
And they turned and went up by the way of Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan went out against them, he, and all his people, to the battle at Edrei.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּפְנוּ֙
And they turned
H6437
וַיִּפְנוּ֙
And they turned
Strong's:
H6437
Word #:
1 of 14
to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc
וַֽיַּעֲל֔וּ
and went up
H5927
וַֽיַּעֲל֔וּ
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
by the way
H1870
דֶּ֖רֶךְ
by 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
went out
H3318
וַיֵּצֵ֣א
went 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
לִקְרָאתָ֜ם
against
H7125
לִקְרָאתָ֜ם
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
them he and all his people
H5971
עַמּ֛וֹ
them 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
Joshua 13:12All 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.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:
Historical Context
Bashan was fertile plateau northeast of the Sea of Galilee, famous for cattle (Psalm 22:12) and oaks (Isaiah 2:13). Edrei was one of Og's royal cities. Archaeological surveys show significant late Bronze Age occupation in this region. Og's iron bed (Deuteronomy 3:11) suggests advanced metallurgy and exceptional physical size.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'Og' in your life represents unfinished fears from past failures that God now calls you to face?
- How does the new generation's victory over giants encourage you regarding challenges that defeated previous attempts?
- Where might God be positioning you to prove that earlier fears were failures of faith, not impossibility of task?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And they turned and went up by the way of Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan went out against them—Og (עוֹג) was the last of the Rephaim (Deuteronomy 3:11), the giant-race that terrified the earlier generation (Numbers 13:33). He, and all his people, to the battle at Edrei (אֶדְרֶעִי, Edre'i)—Og's aggression mirrors Sihon's: both attacked Israel, both were annihilated, both became examples of God's faithfulness.
Og represents unfinished business from Kadesh-barnea—the new generation defeats the giants that paralyzed their fathers. Deuteronomy 3:1-11 expands this narrative, emphasizing Og's size and the psychological terror he should have inspired. Israel's victory over the last Rephaim king proves the wilderness generation died for unbelief, not impossible odds.