Joshua 13:12
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Joshua 13:12
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.
Chapter Context
Joshua 13 is a historical narrative chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of salvation, discipleship, worship. Written during the conquest of Canaan (c. 1406-1375 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Canaan was fragmented into city-states with various tribal alliances and religious practices.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-33: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it offers practical wisdom for godly living in a fallen world. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Joshua and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Joshua 13:12
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.
Analysis
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).
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.
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?
Cross-References
- Kingdom: Joshua 12:4