Deuteronomy 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 {H3499} of Gilead {H1568}, and all Bashan {H1316}, being the kingdom {H4467} of Og {H5747}, gave {H5414} I unto the half {H2677} tribe {H7626} of Manasseh {H4519}; all the region {H2256} of Argob {H709}, with all Bashan {H1316}, which {H1931} was called {H7121} the land {H776} of giants {H7497}.

The rest of Gil'ad and all Bashan, the kingdom of 'Og, I gave to the half-tribe of M'nasheh." The whole region of Argov together with all of Bashan form what is called the land of Refa'im.

To the half-tribe of Manasseh I gave the rest of Gilead and all of Bashan, the kingdom of Og. (The entire region of Argob, the whole territory of Bashan, used to be called the land of the Rephaim.)

and the rest of Gilead, and all Bashan, the kingdom of Og, gave I unto the half-tribe of Manasseh; all the region of Argob, even all Bashan. (The same is called the land of Rephaim.

Commentary

Deuteronomy 3:13 continues Moses' detailed recounting of Israel's journey and the initial conquests east of the Jordan River before their entry into the Promised Land. This verse specifically describes the allocation of the conquered territories of Gilead and Bashan to the tribes of Israel.

Context

This verse is part of Moses' third discourse to the Israelites, delivered on the plains of Moab. He is reviewing the Lord's faithfulness and power demonstrated through their victories over powerful kings like Sihon of the Amorites and Og of Bashan. The previous verses detail the defeat of Og, king of Bashan, a formidable giant whose iron bedstead was a testament to his immense size (Deuteronomy 3:11). Here, Moses explains how the land captured from these kings was then distributed among the Israelite tribes, particularly the eastern portion given to the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, as agreed upon prior to crossing the Jordan (Numbers 32:33).

Key Themes

  • Divine Provision and Inheritance: The verse highlights God's active role in giving the land to Israel. It wasn't by their strength alone, but by God's power that they conquered and inherited these territories. This fulfills the ancient promises made to Abraham regarding the land (Genesis 12:7).
  • Conquest of Formidable Foes: The mention of "the kingdom of Og" and "the land of giants" underscores the significant obstacles God enabled Israel to overcome. These were not minor skirmishes but victories over powerful, established kingdoms and their formidable inhabitants.
  • Territorial Allocation: It details the specific division of land, with the "rest of Gilead" and "all Bashan" (including the region of Argob) being allocated to the half-tribe of Manasseh. This precise division reflects the meticulous planning and order in God's provision for His people.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the land of giants" is a significant descriptor. In Hebrew, this is eretz Rephaim (ืึถืจึถืฅ ื”ึธืจึฐืคึธืึดื™ื). The Rephaim were an ancient race of formidable, large people, often described as giants, who inhabited various parts of Canaan and Transjordan. Og himself is identified as one of the last of the Rephaim. Calling Bashan "the land of giants" emphasizes the overwhelming odds Israel faced and the miraculous nature of their victory, showcasing God's power to defeat even the most intimidating adversaries.

Significance and Application

Deuteronomy 3:13 serves as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness to His promises and His ability to empower His people to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges. Just as Israel was able to conquer "the land of giants" and inherit their portion, believers today can find encouragement that God provides the strength and means to face their own "giants" โ€“ whether they are personal struggles, spiritual battles, or daunting circumstances. The meticulous division of the land also speaks to God's orderly nature and His care in providing for each of His children. We are called to trust in His provision and step into the inheritance He has prepared for us, knowing He has already secured the victory.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Numbers 32:39

    And the children of Machir the son of Manasseh went to Gilead, and took it, and dispossessed the Amorite which [was] in it.

  • Numbers 32:42

    And Nobah went and took Kenath, and the villages thereof, and called it Nobah, after his own name.

  • 1 Chronicles 5:23

    And the children of the half tribe of Manasseh dwelt in the land: they increased from Bashan unto Baalhermon and Senir, and unto mount Hermon.

  • 1 Chronicles 5:26

    And the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, and the spirit of Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria, and he carried them away, even the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, and brought them unto Halah, and Habor, and Hara, and to the river Gozan, unto this day.

  • Joshua 13:29

    And Moses gave [inheritance] unto the half tribe of Manasseh: and [this] was [the possession] of the half tribe of the children of Manasseh by their families.

  • Joshua 13:32

    These [are the countries] which Moses did distribute for inheritance in the plains of Moab, on the other side Jordan, by Jericho, eastward.
โ† Back