TRV
Translation
King James Version
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.
KJV (with Strong's)
Complete Jewish Bible
ADONAI said to me, 'Don't be afraid of him; for I have handed him, all his people and his territory over to you; you will do to him as you did to Sichon king of the Emori, who lived at Heshbon.'
Berean Standard Bible
But the LORD said to me, “Do not fear him, for I have delivered him into your hand, along with all his people and his land. Do to him as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon.”
American Standard Version
And Jehovah said unto me, Fear him not; for I have delivered 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, who dwelt at Heshbon.
World English Bible Messianic
The LORD said to me, “Don’t fear him; for I have delivered him, with all his people, and his land, into your hand. You shall do to him as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon.”
Geneva Bible (1599)
And the Lord sayde vnto me, Feare him not, for I will deliuer him, and all his people, and his land into thine hand, and thou shalt doe vnto him as thou diddest vnto Sihon King of the Amorites, which dwelt at Heshbon.
Young's Literal Translation
`And Jehovah saith unto me, Fear him not, for into thy hand I have given him, and all his people, and his land, and thou hast done to him as thou hast done to Sihon king of the Amorite who is dwelling in Heshbon.
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Commentary on Deuteronomy 3 verses 1–11
1 ¶ 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.
2 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.
3 So the LORD our God delivered into our hands Og also, the king of Bashan, and all his people: and we smote him until none was left to him remaining.
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.
5 All these cities were fenced with high walls, gates, and bars; beside unwalled towns a great many.
6 And we utterly destroyed them, as we did unto Sihon king of Heshbon, utterly destroying the men, women, and children, of every city.
7 But all the cattle, and the spoil of the cities, we took for a prey to ourselves.
8 And we took at that time out of the hand of the two kings of the Amorites the land that was on this side Jordan, from the river of Arnon unto mount Hermon;
9 (Which Hermon the Sidonians call Sirion; and the Amorites call it Shenir;)
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.
11 For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of giants; behold, his bedstead was a bedstead of iron; is it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon? nine cubits was the length thereof, and four cubits the breadth of it, after the cubit of a man.
We have here another brave country delivered into the hand of Israel, that of Bashan; the conquest of Sihon is often mentioned together with that of Og, to the praise of God, the rather because in these Israel's triumphs began, Psa 135:11; Psa 136:19, Psa 136:20. See,
I. How they got the mastery of Og, a very formidable prince, 1. Very strong, for he was of the remnant of the giants (Deu 3:11); his personal strength was extraordinary, a monument of which was preserved by the Ammonites in his bedstead, which was shown as a rarity in their chief city. You might guess at his weight by the materials of his bedstead; it was iron, as if a bedstead of wood were too weak for him to trust to: and you might guess at his stature by the dimensions of it; it was nine cubits long and four cubits broad, which, supposing a cubit to be but half a yard (and some learned men have made it appear to be somewhat more), was four yards and a half long, and two yards broad; and if we allow his bedstead to be two cubits longer than himself, and that is as much as we need allow, he was three yards and a half high, double the stature of an ordinary man, and every way proportionable, yet they smote him, Deu 3:3. Note, when God pleads his people's cause he can deal with giants as with grasshoppers. No man's might can secure him against the Almighty. The army of Og was very powerful, for he had the command of sixty fortified cities, besides the unwalled towns, Deu 3:5. Yet all this was nothing before God's Israel, when they came with commission to destroy him. 2. He was very bold and daring: He came out against Israel to battle, Deu 3:1. It was wonderful that he did not take warning by the ruin of Sihon, and send to desire conditions of peace; but he trusted to his own strength, and so was hardened to his destruction. Note, Those that are not awakened by the judgments of God upon others, but persist in their defiance of heaven, are ripening apace for the like judgments upon themselves, Jer 3:8. God bade Moses not fear him, Deu 3:2. If Moses himself was so strong in faith as not to need the caution, yet it is probable that the people needed it, and for them these fresh assurances are designed; "I will deliver him into thy hand; not only deliver thee out of his hand, that he shall not be thy ruin, but deliver him into thy hand, that thou shalt be his ruin, and make him pay dearly for his attempt." He adds, Thou shalt do to him as thou didst to Sihon, intimating that they ought to be encouraged by their former victory to trust in God for another victory, for he is God, and changeth not.
II. How they got possession of Bashan, a very desirable country. They took all the cities (Deu 3:4), and all the spoil of them, Deu 3:7. They made them all their own, Deu 3:10. So that now they had in their hands all that fruitful country which lay east of Jordan, from the river Arnon unto Hermon, Deu 3:8. Their conquering and possessing these countries was intended, not only for the encouragement of Israel in the wars of Canaan, but for the satisfaction of Moses before his death. Since he must not live to see the completing of their victory and settlement, God thus gives him a specimen of it. Thus the Spirit is given to those that believe as the earnest of their inheritance, until the redemption of the purchased possession.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–11. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 3:2 records a pivotal divine assurance given by the LORD to Moses, empowering him and the Israelites for the imminent conquest of Bashan. This verse directly addresses any potential fear concerning the formidable King Og, commanding Moses not to dread, as God Himself promises to deliver Og, his people, and his land completely into Israel's hand. It explicitly references the recent, decisive victory over Sihon, King of the Amorites, as a powerful precedent and guarantee of future success, underscoring God's unwavering faithfulness, sovereign power, and active involvement in fulfilling His covenant promises to His people.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 3:2 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message of divine assurance and impending victory. The most prominent is Divine Mandate, where God directly issues a command and a promise to Moses, underscoring His absolute authority and active involvement in Israel's history. This is immediately followed by Exhortation and Assurance, as the imperative "Fear him not" is coupled with the explicit promise of deliverance, designed to embolden the recipient and dispel any apprehension. The verse also features a strong Historical Allusion by referencing the recent victory over Sihon. This serves as a Precedent, drawing a direct parallel between a past triumph and a future one, thereby validating God's promise and building confidence in His unfailing power. Furthermore, the comprehensive nature of the promised deliverance ("him, and all his people, and his land") demonstrates Merism, a literary device where two contrasting or comprehensive parts represent the whole, signifying a complete and utter victory. The logical progression of the verse, moving from command to promise to historical proof, creates a powerful rhetorical appeal, reinforcing faith and obedience in the face of daunting challenges.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 3:2 is a profound theological statement on God's active involvement in the lives of His people and the unwavering fulfillment of His covenant promises. It underscores that the conquest of the Promised Land was fundamentally a divine enterprise, not merely a human military campaign. God's command to "fear not" is consistently linked to His sovereign power to deliver, demonstrating that true courage flows from trust in God's character and His unfailing word. The reference to Sihon highlights the principle of divine faithfulness: God's past actions serve as an undeniable guarantee for His future intentions. This verse teaches that God not only gives the command but also provides the means and the assurance for its fulfillment, reminding Israel (and us) that His plans will always prevail, often by overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles. It is a testament to God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people and His determination to bring His redemptive purposes to fruition.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 3:2 offers timeless encouragement and profound practical application for believers navigating the challenges of life. Just as Moses and Israel faced a formidable giant in Og, we too encounter "giants" in our lives—whether they are overwhelming circumstances, persistent fears, seemingly impossible tasks, or spiritual battles. This verse reminds us that the command "Fear him not" is not a call to self-reliance or naive optimism, but a summons to place our trust entirely in the sovereign power of God. Our past experiences of God's faithfulness, like Israel's victory over Sihon, should serve as powerful anchors for our faith, reminding us that the God who delivered us before is the same God who will deliver us again. When God gives a command or reveals a path, He simultaneously provides the assurance and the means for its fulfillment. Our role is to obey in faith, knowing that the battle truly belongs to the Lord, and He will indeed deliver. This verse encourages us to confront our fears with divine promises, leaning not on our own strength but on the unfailing power of the One who has already secured our victory, enabling us to walk forward with courage and confidence in His unfailing plan.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Who was King Og, and why was he so formidable?
Answer: King Og was the Amorite king of Bashan, a fertile and strategically important region east of the Jordan River. He was particularly formidable because he was one of the last of the Rephaim, a race of giants. Deuteronomy 3:11 describes his iron bedstead as over 13 feet long, strongly suggesting his immense stature. His physical size, combined with the strength of his sixty fortified cities, made him a terrifying opponent and a significant obstacle to Israel's entry into the Promised Land. God's explicit command not to fear him underscores the magnitude of the threat he posed.
Why did God specifically mention Sihon, King of the Amorites, in this verse?
Answer: God mentioned Sihon as a powerful and recent precedent to bolster Israel's faith and courage. The Israelites had just decisively defeated Sihon, who also reigned over a strong kingdom in Heshbon, immediately south of Bashan (recounted in Deuteronomy 2:26-37). By referencing this fresh victory, God provided a tangible, recent, and undeniable example of His power to deliver seemingly unconquerable enemies. It served as a powerful reminder to Moses and the people that the same divine power and faithfulness that secured the victory over Sihon would also secure the victory over Og, thus eliminating any doubt and instilling confidence for the upcoming battle.
Does "Fear him not" mean we should never feel fear?
Answer: The command "Fear him not" (אַל־תִּירָא, al-tira') is not an admonition against the natural human emotion of fear itself, but rather a prohibition against allowing that fear to dominate, paralyze, or cause a lack of trust in God. It's a call to courage rooted in divine assurance. God understands human weakness and the natural response to danger, but He commands us not to allow fear to dictate our actions or undermine our faith when He has given a promise or a command. It's about trusting in God's presence and power to overcome the object of fear, rather than succumbing to it. This command encourages reliance on God's strength over one's own perceived inadequacy.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 3:2, with its powerful declaration of divine deliverance and the conquest of a formidable enemy, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Just as God delivered Og and his land into Israel's hand, Christ, the greater Moses and the ultimate Warrior, has delivered us from far more imposing adversaries: sin, death, and the dominion of Satan. The command "Fear him not" echoes throughout the New Testament in Christ's own words, assuring His disciples not to fear the storms of life or the powers of darkness, for He has overcome the world (John 16:33). The victory over Og, a physical giant, powerfully foreshadows Christ's spiritual triumph over the "prince of this world" (John 12:31) and the forces of evil. Through His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, Christ disarmed principalities and powers, making a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in the cross (Colossians 2:15). The inheritance of the Promised Land, secured by God's deliverance, points to the greater spiritual inheritance believers receive in Christ—eternal life, reconciliation with God, and a place in His eternal kingdom (Ephesians 1:11). Thus, Deuteronomy 3:2 is not merely a historical account of a past victory, but a prophetic whisper of the ultimate, decisive victory achieved by the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), enabling us to "fear not" because our greatest enemies have been conquered and our ultimate victory is assured in Him.