Joshua 12:4-5
and Og king of Bashan, one of the remnant of the Rephaim, who lived at Ashtaroth and at Edrei and ruled over Mount Hermon and Salecah and all Bashan to the boundary of the Geshurites and the Maacathites, and over half of Gilead to the boundary of Sihon king of Heshbon.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse points to Og not just as a king, but as a survivor from a legendary, fearsome race known as the Rephaim. His presence in two cities, Ashtaroth and Edrei, highlights that even these formidable giants, who once dominated the land, were ultimately defeated and dispossessed by God's people.
This chapter begins a historical recap, listing the defeated kings of lands east of the Jordan River that Israel conquered under Moses. These accounts serve as a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises, recounting the victory over powerful rulers like Sihon and Og, whose territories were then given to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh. The text emphasizes that Og, from the ancient race of giants, reigned over a significant region in Bashan, holding court at Ashtaroth and Edrei before his decisive defeat.
This verse mentions Og as a 'remnant of the Rephaim.' Who were these ancient peoples, and why does their presence matter?
The land God promised Israel wasn't empty. It was inhabited by powerful, often formidable groups, and the Rephaim were among the most legendary.
A Legacy of Giants
The Bible describes the Rephaim as a people of great stature and strength, often referred to as 'giants.' They were an ancient group, predating the Amorites and Canaanites that Israel would also encounter.
The 'Remnant' Factor
Calling Og a 'remnant' suggests that the Rephaim as a people had likely faced defeats or declines before Og's time. Yet, Og himself was a formidable king, powerful enough to require Moses to defeat him before Joshua’s time. His existence highlights that even remnants of powerful peoples could pose significant threats.
Og ruled from two cities: Ashtaroth and Edrei. What does this tell us about his reign and the land he controlled?
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The mention of specific cities anchors this ancient king to real places, revealing aspects of his power and presence.
Dual Capitals
Dwelling in both Ashtaroth and Edrei suggests Og maintained significant royal residences or centers of power in different strategic locations within his territory of Bashan.
Strategic Strongholds
Archaeological and geographical studies indicate these were important fortified cities. Edrei, for instance, is described as a naturally defensible location, ideal for a king needing security. Their possession highlights Og's control over key areas of Bashan, a region known for its fertility and strategic importance.
A United Front
Having multiple royal seats could also indicate the extent of his kingdom and his ability to project authority across his domain, making him a substantial obstacle for Israel.
Understand the original words
yether · Hebrew Noun
A term describing a surviving group or a remaining portion of a people; often used in the context of judgment or the lingering presence of enemies before final conquest.
Rephaim · Hebrew Noun
Ancient legendary people often described as giants or mighty warriors inhabiting regions of Canaan before the Israelite conquest; associated with the Nephilim or other pre-flood groups.
This verse marks the culmination of Israel's conquest of territories east of the Jordan, highlighting the defeat of powerful, ancient kings like Og, which paved the way for their inheritance.
c. 14th Century BC
Rephaim in Bashan
The Rephaim, an ancient and possibly giant-like people, inhabit the fertile region of Bashan, east of the Jordan River, with major centers at Ashtaroth and Edrei.
c. 14th Century BC
Og's Reign in Bashan
Og, the king of Bashan, a descendant or survivor of the Rephaim, rules over this territory, which includes significant cities like Ashtaroth and Edrei.
c. 14th Century BC
Sihon King of Amorites
Sihon, king of the Amorites, conquers territory east of the Jordan, including parts of Gilead, and establishes his capital at Heshbon.
c. 1400 BC
Israelites defeat Sihon
The Israelites, during their wilderness journey, defeat Sihon, king of the Amorites, and take possession of his land east of the Jordan River.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Israelites defeat Og
Moses and the Israelites then confront and defeat Og, king of Bashan, and his army at Edrei, taking control of his kingdom.
c. 1400 BC
Land Distributed to Tribes
The conquered territories east of the Jordan, including the lands of Sihon and Og, are given to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh.
This passage provides the backstory about Og, specifically mentioning his enormous iron bedstead, highlighting his legendary stature and the unusual nature of his reign, which sets the stage for the description in Joshua.
Numbers 21:33-35This passage details the conquest of Og by Moses and the Israelites, showing how this formidable king and his land were overcome, reinforcing the idea that Og was a significant obstacle that God helped Israel defeat.
Genesis 14:5This earlier mention of the Rephaim, the people group Og belonged to, shows that they were a known and ancient people in the region, emphasizing that Og was part of a lineage that had a long history in the land.
Joshua 13:12This verse directly follows the list of conquered kings, reiterating that the land of Og king of Bashan was given to the half-tribe of Manasseh, connecting the conquest of Og to the subsequent distribution of the land.
calvinJoshua 12:1-24: "Now these are the kings of the land, which the children of Israel smote, and possessed their land on the other side Jordan toward the rising of the sun, from the river Arnon unto mount Hermon, and all the plain on the east:"
Now these are the kings of the land, which the children of Israel smote, and possessed their land on the other side Jordan toward the rising of the sun, from the river Arnon unto mount Hermon, and all the plain on the east:
Hi sunt reges terrae quos…
gillJoshua 12:4: "And the coast of Og king of Bashan, which was of the remnant of the giants, that dwelt at Ashtaroth and at Edrei,"
And the coast of Og king of Bashan,.... The country that he reigned over, who was another king of the Amorites, smitten by Israel in the times of Moses: which was of the remnant of the giants; See Gill on Deuteronomy 3:11, that dwelt at Ashtaroth and at Edrei; of which two places see Deuteronomy 1:4; it seems as if Og had a palace in each of those cities, and sometime…
This verse points to Og not just as a king, but as a survivor from a legendary, fearsome race known as the Rephaim. His presence in two cities, Ashtaroth and Edrei, highlights that even these formidable giants, who once dominated the land, were ultimately defeated and dispossessed by God's people.
This chapter begins a historical recap, listing the defeated kings of lands east of the Jordan River that Israel conquered under Moses. These accounts serve as a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises, recounting the victory over powerful rulers like Sihon and Og, whose territories were then given to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh. The text emphasizes that Og, from the ancient race of giants, reigned over a significant region in Bashan, holding court at Ashtaroth and Edrei before his decisive defeat.
This chapter begins a historical recap, listing the defeated kings of lands east of the Jordan River that Israel conquered under Moses. These accounts serve as a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises, recounting the victory over powerful rulers like Sihon and Og, whose territories were then given to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh. The text emphasizes that Og, from the ancient race of giants, reigned over a significant region in Bashan, holding court at Ashtaroth and Edrei before his decisive defeat.
"and Og king of Bashan, one of the remnant of the Rephaim, who lived at Ashtaroth and at Edrei and ruled over Mount Hermon and Salecah and all Bashan to the boundary of the Geshurites and the Maacathites, and over half of Gilead to the boun…" — This verse points to Og not just as a king, but as a survivor from a legendary, fearsome race known as the Rephaim. His presence in two cities, Ashtaroth and Edrei, highlights that even these formida…
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