Deuteronomy 3:10

All the cities of the plain, and all Gilead, and all Bashan, unto Salchah and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan.

All the cities {H5892} of the plain {H4334}, and all Gilead {H1568}, and all Bashan {H1316}, unto Salchah {H5548} and Edrei {H154}, cities {H5892} of the kingdom {H4467} of Og {H5747} in Bashan {H1316}.

"all the cities of the plain, all Gil'ad and all Bashan, as far as Salkhah and Edre'i, cities of the kingdom of 'Og in Bashan."

all the cities of the plateau, all of Gilead, and all of Bashan as far as the cities of Salecah and Edrei in the kingdom of Og.

all the cities of the plain, and all Gilead, and all Bashan, unto Salecah and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan.

Commentary

Context

Deuteronomy 3:10 is part of Moses' farewell address to the Israelites as they stand on the plains of Moab, poised to enter the Promised Land. In this discourse, Moses recounts significant events from their wilderness journey, particularly the decisive victories God granted them over powerful kings. This specific verse details the vast territory conquered from King Og of Bashan, following the earlier defeat of King Sihon of the Amorites (Deuteronomy 2:24-37). It emphasizes the extent of the land east of the Jordan River that God had delivered into Israel's hands, which would later be allotted to the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.

Key Themes

  • Divine Faithfulness and Power: The verse stands as a testament to God's unwavering faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Israel, demonstrating His power to overcome formidable enemies and secure their inheritance (Deuteronomy 3:22).
  • Fulfillment of Promise: The conquest of these lands was a direct fulfillment of God's covenant promise to give Abraham's descendants a land of their own (Genesis 15:18-21).
  • Historical Record: Moses meticulously records the geographical extent of the victories, serving as a permanent historical and legal record of Israel's divinely-granted inheritance and a reminder of God's mighty acts.

Geographical Significance

This verse provides a clear geographical summary of the conquered territory, highlighting its vastness:

  • Cities of the Plain: Refers to the cities located in the level region east of the Jordan River, part of the fertile Transjordan plateau.
  • Gilead: A mountainous and fertile region south of the Yarmuk River, known for its rich pasturelands and balm. It was initially the southern part of Sihon's kingdom.
  • Bashan: The northernmost region of the Transjordan, renowned for its fertility, sturdy oak trees, and strong cattle. This was the primary domain of King Og, described elsewhere as a giant of the Rephaim (Deuteronomy 3:11).
  • Salchah and Edrei: These two cities mark the geographical boundaries of Og's kingdom in Bashan. Edrei was the site of the decisive battle where Og was defeated (Deuteronomy 3:1), while Salchah (modern Salkhad) was a significant city at its easternmost frontier, often associated with the Hauran region.

The listing of these regions underscores the comprehensive nature of Israel's conquest under God's guidance, from the Jordan Valley to the far reaches of Bashan.

Reflection

Deuteronomy 3:10, though a geographical summary, serves as a powerful reminder for believers today. It encourages us to remember God's past victories and faithfulness in our lives. Just as God empowered Israel to conquer formidable enemies and inherit vast lands, He is able to help us overcome the challenges and obstacles we face. This detailed record of territory secured by divine intervention should inspire confidence in God's ability to fulfill His promises and provide for His people, no matter how daunting the "giants" in our path may seem.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Joshua 13:31

    And half Gilead, and Ashtaroth, and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan, [were pertaining] unto the children of Machir the son of Manasseh, [even] to the one half of the children of Machir by their families.

  • Joshua 13:11

    And Gilead, and the border of the Geshurites and Maachathites, and all mount Hermon, and all Bashan unto Salcah;

  • Joshua 13:12

    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.

  • 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.

  • Joshua 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,

  • Joshua 12:5

    And reigned in mount Hermon, and in Salcah, and in all Bashan, unto the border of the Geshurites and the Maachathites, and half Gilead, the border of Sihon king of Heshbon.

  • Deuteronomy 4:49

    And all the plain on this side Jordan eastward, even unto the sea of the plain, under the springs of Pisgah.
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