Deuteronomy 3:4-6
And we took all his cities at that time—there was not a city that we did not take from them—sixty cities, the whole region of Argob, the kingdom of Og in Bashan. All these were cities fortified with high walls, gates, and bars, besides very many unwalled villages. And we devoted them to destruction, as we did to Sihon the king of Heshbon, devoting to destruction every city, men, women, and children.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse emphasizes the completeness of Israel's victory by stating they took not one city they didn't conquer. This isn't just hyperbole; it signifies a total dismantling of Og's kingdom, leaving no stronghold for resistance and underscoring God's powerful provision for His people.
Fresh from their decisive victory over King Sihon, Moses recounts how the Israelites then turned north to confront Og, the giant king of Bashan. God assured them of victory, and this verse details the swift and complete conquest, capturing all sixty of Og's fortified cities, including the entire region known as Argob, marking a massive expansion of Israel's territory east of the Jordan.
Imagine a military campaign so complete that not a single enemy stronghold remained. This verse describes exactly that kind of overwhelming victory.
The text emphasizes the thoroughness of the Israelite conquest under God's leadership. The phrase "there was not a city that we did not take from them" speaks to a complete and decisive victory. This wasn't a partial win or a strategic retreat; it was total conquest. It highlights God's power to grant His people complete dominion over their enemies when they are obedient.
A Complete Sweep
This complete victory wasn't just about capturing territory; it was about dispossessing the enemy entirely. The sheer number, "sixty cities," underscores the magnitude of Og's kingdom and the extent of the triumph. This completeness points to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to give the land to Israel.
What was this 'region of Argob' that the Israelites conquered? Its name and nature have sparked centuries of discussion.
The mention of 'the region of Argob' alongside Og's kingdom adds a layer of detail and intrigue. While its exact boundaries are debated, scholars suggest 'Argob' might refer to a specific, perhaps rugged or clodded, geographical area within Bashan.
Geographical Clues
Some ancient traditions and modern scholars link Argob to the area later known as Trachonitis, a distinctively rough, volcanic plateau. This landscape, characterized by basalt flows and deep fissures, earned names meaning 'rugged country.' The term 'region' itself might have originally referred to a measured piece of land, like a 'cord' or 'cable,' suggesting a defined territory.
Regardless of the precise geographical identification, Argob represents a significant part of the land God gave to Israel, emphasizing the breadth of their conquest.
The conquest of Og's kingdom wasn't just a military achievement; it was a divine demonstration against seemingly insurmountable opposition.
Understand the original words
betsuroth · Hebrew Adjective
Refers to architectural defenses intended to protect a city from invaders. In Scripture, these symbolize human security, which is often contrasted with the ultimate protection found only in God.
charam · Hebrew Verb
To place under a ban, dedicating something to God through total destruction. It implies complete removal from human use as an act of judgment or consecration, often practiced against enemies of Israel in the Old Testament.
This conquest of Og's kingdom, described as encompassing sixty cities in the rugged region of Argob, highlights God's powerful provision and protection as Israel advanced into the land east of the Jordan, a crucial step before crossing into the main territory of Canaan.
c. 1400 BC
Israelites' Journey East of Jordan
The Israelites, after leaving Egypt and wandering in the wilderness, approached the borders of the Promised Land from the east side of the Jordan River.
c. 1400 BC
Conquest of Sihon's Kingdom
The Israelites defeated Sihon, king of the Amorites, who had occupied territory east of the Jordan, and took possession of his land.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Conquest of Og's Kingdom
The Israelites then moved north to confront Og, king of the Amorites in Bashan, who also ruled over the region of Argob. They defeated Og and his army in battle at Edrei and took all his cities.
c. 1400 BC
Possession of Transjordan
Following the victories over Sihon and Og, the Israelites gained control of a significant territory east of the Jordan River, which they would later inhabit.
This passage lists Og as one of the kings defeated by Israel, specifically mentioning his kingdom in Bashan and the cities he ruled, directly complementing the scope of the conquest described in Deuteronomy.
Judges 1:33This verse highlights that the tribe of Naphtali did not drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh and Beth-anath, showing that not all conquered territories were fully cleared, contrasting with the complete conquest of Og's kingdom mentioned in Deuteronomy.
1 Kings 4:13This verse mentions the 'region of Argob' as part of Solomon's administrative districts, showing the enduring geographical significance of the area conquered from Og centuries earlier.
Jeremiah 49:28This prophetic passage mentions Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor, which are associated with pastoral nomadic peoples, providing a broader context of the diverse peoples and territories that existed in the regions surrounding Bashan.
gillDeuteronomy 3:4: "And we took all his cities at that time, there was not a city which we took not from them, threescore cities, all the region of Argob, the kingdom of Og in Bashan."
And we took all his cities at that time,.... Not only Edrei where the battle was fought, and Ashteroth his capital city, but all the rest in his kingdom: there was not a city which we took not from them; not one stood out, but all surrendered on summons; the number of which follows: three score cities; which was a…
calvinDeuteronomy 3:1-11: "Then we turned, and went up the way to Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan came out against us, he and all his people, to battle at Edrei."
And the Lord said unto me, Fear him not: for I will deliver him, and all his people, and his land, into thy hand; and thou shalt do unto him as thou didst unto Sihon king of the Amorites, which dwelt at Heshbon.
Et dixit Jehova ad me, ne timeas illum, nam in manu tua dedi eum, et universum populum ejus, ac terram ejus: faeiesque ei…
The verse emphasizes the completeness of Israel's victory by stating they took not one city they didn't conquer. This isn't just hyperbole; it signifies a total dismantling of Og's kingdom, leaving no stronghold for resistance and underscoring God's powerful provision for His people.
Fresh from their decisive victory over King Sihon, Moses recounts how the Israelites then turned north to confront Og, the giant king of Bashan. God assured them of victory, and this verse details the swift and complete conquest, capturing all sixty of Og's fortified cities, including the entire region known as Argob, marking a massive expansion of Israel's territory east of the Jordan.
Fresh from their decisive victory over King Sihon, Moses recounts how the Israelites then turned north to confront Og, the giant king of Bashan. God assured them of victory, and this verse details the swift and complete conquest, capturing all sixty of Og's fortified cities, including the entire region known as Argob, marking a massive expansion of Israel's territory east of the Jordan.
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The defeat of Og, king of Bashan, and the subsequent capture of his entire kingdom, including sixty cities, serves as a powerful testament to God's sovereignty and power.
Divine Intervention Against Giants
Og himself is famously described as the last of the giants, with an extraordinarily large iron bedstead being a relic of his immense stature. His defeat, therefore, symbolized more than just overcoming a human king; it was God's power displayed against a lineage known for its imposing size and perhaps, its inherent opposition to God's people.
This victory was directly attributed to the Lord's intervention, as the text states: 'The Lord our God delivered into our hands Og also, and all his people.' It shows that no human strength, nor even the formidable nature of Og's kingdom, could stand against the God of Israel.
"And we took all his cities at that time—there was not a city that we did not take from them—sixty cities, the whole region of Argob, the kingdom of Og in Bashan. All these were cities fortified with high walls, gates, and bars, besides ver…" — The verse emphasizes the completeness of Israel's victory by stating they took not one city they didn't conquer. This isn't just hyperbole; it signifies a total dismantling of Og's kingdom, leaving…
