Deuteronomy 3:13
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While this verse lists land grants, the crucial detail is its naming convention: "Bashan... which was called the land of giants." This isn't just a geographical description, but a deliberate echo of ancient history, reminding the Israelites that they are stepping into a land with a long, often fearsome, past, now being subdued under God's power. It highlights how God’s promise to Israel involved not just territory, but the reclamation and renaming of a land steeped in the memory of powerful, ancient peoples.
The rest of Gilead, and all Bashan, the kingdom of Og, that is, all the region of Argob, I gave to the half-tribe of Manasseh. (All that portion of Bashan is called the land of Rephaim.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Moses is detailing the land east of the Jordan River that has been conquered from Amorite kings. After assigning territories to the tribes of Reuben and Gad, he now describes the remaining portion of Gilead and all of Bashan, the kingdom of King Og, which is being given to the half-tribe of Manasseh. This region, particularly Bashan, was historically known as the land of the Rephaim, a people of ancient renown.
What does it mean that Bashan was known as the 'land of giants'? This ancient name hints at a deeper history and a powerful enemy.
The verse tells us that Bashan, the kingdom of Og, was also called the 'land of Rephaim.' Who were these Rephaim?
Echoes of a Fearsome Past
The Rephaim were an ancient, formidable people known throughout the region for their imposing stature and power. They are mentioned in earlier parts of the Bible, like Genesis 14, where they were among the peoples Abraham encountered. Their presence in Bashan suggests a history of conflict and conquest before Israel's arrival.
God's Conquest, Israel's Inheritance
By calling this land the 'land of giants,' Moses reminds the people of what God has already done. He has dispossessed these powerful inhabitants, clearing the way for Israel. This wasn't just any land; it was a land that had been claimed by formidable, ancient peoples, and God was giving it to His people.
Who gets this vast, historically significant territory? God's distribution wasn't random; it was a deliberate act of provision.
Deuteronomy 3:13 explicitly states that the 'rest of Gilead, and all Bashan' was given to the half-tribe of Manasseh. This is a crucial detail.
More Than Enough
Remember, the tribes of Reuben and Gad had already been granted land east of the Jordan. Now, a significant portion of this newly conquered territory, including the entirety of Bashan, is given to only of Manasseh's tribe. This highlights God's incredible generosity and His desire to provide abundantly for His people.
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Strategic Allocation
This allocation wasn't just about land size; it was part of a larger plan. Moses is ensuring that all the tribes receive their inheritance, even those who settled early east of the Jordan. This distribution reinforces God's faithfulness to His promises, ensuring that each part of His people is cared for.
Understand the original words
mamlakah · Hebrew Noun
An organized political entity ruled by a monarch. In the biblical context, it often represents the power structures that stood in opposition to or were displaced by the Kingdom of God/Israel.
shebet · Hebrew Noun
A social and military unit consisting of descendants of a common ancestor. Tribes were the primary structures of Israelite society, through which land inheritance was distributed and divine promises were fulfilled.
This verse highlights the divine act of giving territory already inhabited by ancient peoples and recently conquered from a powerful king, establishing the Israelites' claim through God's direct decree and conquest.
c. 15th century BC
Ancient Rephaim tribes inhabit Gilead and Bashan
Long before the Israelites arrived, powerful ancient peoples known as the Rephaim, or 'giants,' inhabited these lands. Their presence is echoed in the place names, suggesting a history of conflict and displacement.
c. 1400 BC
Og's Amorite Kingdom controls Bashan
King Og of the Amorites ruled over a significant kingdom in Bashan. His defeat by the Israelites under Moses marked the end of his reign and opened the territory for Israelite settlement.
c. 1400 BC
Israelites defeat King Og
The Israelites conquer the Amorite kingdom of King Og in Bashan, securing a vast territory east of the Jordan River. This military victory is a pivotal moment in their journey.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Land allocated to Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh
Moses divides the conquered lands east of the Jordan among the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, establishing their inheritance before entering the promised land proper.
c. 1400 BC
Condition for eastern land possession
The tribes settling east of the Jordan agreed to fight alongside their brothers in the conquest of Canaan west of the Jordan before returning to their own lands.
This passage identifies Og as the king of Bashan, ruling over the territory of Argob and other regions, which directly connects to the description of Bashan and Argob in Deuteronomy 3:13.
Genesis 14:5This verse mentions the Rephaim (giants) in the land of Ashteroth Karnaim, which aligns with Deuteronomy 3:13's identification of Bashan as the 'land of Rephaim' or giants.
Numbers 32:33This verse records Moses giving the land of Gilead and Bashan to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, confirming the historical allocation mentioned in Deuteronomy 3:13.
1 Chronicles 5:11-16This passage describes the territory and possessions of the tribe of Manasseh, including lands in Gilead and Bashan, providing a later historical perspective on the inheritance mentioned in Deuteronomy 3:13.
gillDeuteronomy 3:13: "And the rest of Gilead, and all Bashan, being the kingdom of Og, gave I unto the half tribe of Manasseh; all the region of Argob, with all Bashan, which was called the land of giants."
And the rest of Gilead,.... The other half of the mount, with the cities belonging to it: and all Bashan, being the kingdom of Og, gave I unto the half tribe of Manasseh; see Numbers 32:33. all the region of Argob, with all Bashan; the region of Trachonitis, in Bashan; see Deuteronomy 3:4, whic…
pulpitDeuteronomy 3:13: "And the rest of Gilead, and all Bashan, being the kingdom of Og, gave I unto the half tribe of Manasseh; all the region of Argob, with all Bashan, which was called the land of giants."
Verse 13. - The last part of this verse is differently construed and rendered by different translators. By some the clause all the region of Argob is connected with what precedes, while others regard this clause as in apposition with what follows. Targum: "All the region of Trachona, and all th…
While this verse lists land grants, the crucial detail is its naming convention: "Bashan... which was called the land of giants." This isn't just a geographical description, but a deliberate echo of ancient history, reminding the Israelites that they are stepping into a land with a long, often fearsome, past, now being subdued under God's power. It highlights how God’s promise to Israel involved not just territory, but the reclamation and renaming of a land steeped in the memory of powerful, ancient peoples.
Moses is detailing the land east of the Jordan River that has been conquered from Amorite kings. After assigning territories to the tribes of Reuben and Gad, he now describes the remaining portion of Gilead and all of Bashan, the kingdom of King Og, which is being given to the half-tribe of Manasseh. This region, particularly Bashan, was historically known as the land of the Rephaim, a people of ancient renown.
Moses is detailing the land east of the Jordan River that has been conquered from Amorite kings. After assigning territories to the tribes of Reuben and Gad, he now describes the remaining portion of Gilead and all of Bashan, the kingdom of King Og, which is being given to the half-tribe of Manasseh. This region, particularly Bashan, was historically known as the land of the Rephaim, a people of ancient renown.
"The rest of Gilead, and all Bashan, the kingdom of Og, that is, all the region of Argob, I gave to the half-tribe of Manasseh. (All that portion of Bashan is called the land of Rephaim." — While this verse lists land grants, the crucial detail is its naming convention: "Bashan... which was called the land of giants." This isn't just a geographical description, but a deliberate echo of…
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Last reviewed October 2026
