Deuteronomy 3:2

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.

And the LORD {H3068} said {H559} unto me, Fear {H3372} him not: for I will deliver {H5414} him, and all his people {H5971}, and his land {H776}, into thy hand {H3027}; and thou shalt do {H6213} unto him as thou didst {H6213} unto Sihon {H5511} king {H4428} of the Amorites {H567}, which dwelt {H3427} at Heshbon {H2809}.

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.'

But the LORD said to me, โ€œDo 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.โ€

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.

Commentary

Deuteronomy 3:2 records a crucial moment of divine assurance given by the LORD to Moses as the Israelites prepared for their final conquests before entering the Promised Land. This verse specifically addresses the upcoming battle against Og, the powerful king of Bashan, providing both encouragement and a clear strategy based on past victories.

Context

This verse is part of Moses' final discourse to the nation of Israel, delivered on the plains of Moab, just before they cross the Jordan River into Canaan. The preceding verse, Deuteronomy 3:1, introduces King Og of Bashan, a formidable giant and the last of the Rephaim. The Israelites had just successfully conquered Sihon, king of the Amorites, whose territory lay immediately to the south of Bashan. God's instruction here serves to embolden Moses and, through him, the entire nation, reminding them of His unwavering faithfulness and power to deliver.

Key Themes

  • Divine Assurance and Overcoming Fear: The opening command, "Fear him not," is a powerful declaration from God. It directly addresses any apprehension Moses or the people might have felt facing a mighty king like Og. This theme is central throughout scripture, emphasizing that true courage comes from trusting in God's presence and power, not in human strength or circumstances. It echoes similar divine commands given to leaders like Joshua (Joshua 1:9).
  • God's Sovereignty and Deliverance: The LORD explicitly states, "for I will deliver him, and all his people, and his land, into thy hand." This highlights God's active role as the ultimate deliverer and the true strategist behind Israel's conquests. The victory is not attributed to Israel's military might but to God's sovereign decision to hand over the enemy. This underscores the theological principle that God fights for His people.
  • Remembered Victories as Encouragement: By referencing the triumph over "Sihon king of the Amorites, which dwelt at Heshbon," God provides a tangible precedent for the upcoming battle. The recent, decisive victory over Sihon (Deuteronomy 2:33) serves as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness and His ability to overcome seemingly insurmountable foes. This reinforces confidence and faith for new challenges.
  • Fulfillment of Covenant Promises: The conquest of these lands, including Bashan, is a direct fulfillment of God's long-standing promise to Abraham to give his descendants the land of Canaan (Genesis 12:7). Each victory brings Israel closer to possessing their inheritance.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Fear him not" in Hebrew, al-tira (ืึทืœึพืชึผึดื™ืจึธื), is a common divine imperative found throughout the Old Testament. It is more than just a suggestion; it's a command rooted in God's assurance of His presence and intervention. The verb "deliver" (Hebrew: natan, ื ึธืชึทืŸ) signifies "to give" or "to place into one's hand," emphasizing that the act of handing over the enemy is entirely God's doing, not a result of human effort alone.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 3:2 offers timeless encouragement for believers facing daunting challenges. It reminds us that:

  • When God gives a command, He also provides the means and assurance for its fulfillment.
  • Past victories and experiences of God's faithfulness should serve as powerful reminders and sources of courage for present and future trials.
  • Our trust should be placed in God's power and promises, not in our own strength or the perceived weakness of our adversaries. God's command to "fear not" is often followed by His promise to deliver.
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

  • Revelation 2:10

    Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast [some] of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

  • Numbers 21:23

    And Sihon would not suffer Israel to pass through his border: but Sihon gathered all his people together, and went out against Israel into the wilderness: and he came to Jahaz, and fought against Israel.

  • Numbers 21:25

    And Israel took all these cities: and Israel dwelt in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon, and in all the villages thereof.

  • 2 Chronicles 20:17

    Ye shall not [need] to fight in this [battle]: set yourselves, stand ye [still], and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD [will be] with you.

  • Acts 27:24

    Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

  • Numbers 21:34

    And the LORD said unto Moses, Fear him not: for I have delivered him into thy hand, and all his people, and his land; and thou shalt do to him as thou didst unto Sihon king of the Amorites, which dwelt at Heshbon.

  • Numbers 14:9

    Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they [are] bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD [is] with us: fear them not.
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