Deuteronomy 3:3

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

So the LORD {H3068} our God {H430} delivered {H5414} into our hands {H3027} Og {H5747} also, the king {H4428} of Bashan {H1316}, and all his people {H5971}: and we smote {H5221} him until none was left {H7604} to him remaining {H8300}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So ADONAI our God also handed over to us 'Og the king of Bashan with all his people, and we defeated him until he had no one left.

Berean Standard Bible

So the LORD our God also delivered Og king of Bashan and his whole army into our hands. We struck them down until no survivor was left.

American Standard Version

So Jehovah our God delivered into our hand Og also, the king of Bashan, and all his people: and we smote him until none was left to him remaining.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 3:3 recounts the decisive victory granted by the LORD to Israel over Og, the formidable king of Bashan, and his entire populace. This verse emphasizes God's sovereign power and active intervention in fulfilling His covenant promises, demonstrating a complete and utterly destructive triumph that left no survivors, thereby securing the land east of the Jordan for the Israelite tribes. It stands as a powerful testament to divine faithfulness and the certainty of God's deliverance for His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 3:3 is situated within Moses' second major discourse to the Israelites, delivered on the plains of Moab just before they cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land. This section, specifically [Deuteronomy 2](/deuteronomy/2 "Deuteronomy 2 - Conquest of Transjordan") and [Deuteronomy 3](/deuteronomy/3 "Deuteronomy 3 - Defeat of Og and Division of Land"), serves as a historical review of God's faithfulness and mighty acts during their wilderness journey and initial conquests east of the Jordan. Following the detailed account of the defeat of Sihon, king of Heshbon, in [Deuteronomy 2:26-37](/deuteronomy/2-26 "Deuteronomy 2:26-37 - Defeat of Sihon"), this verse presents the subsequent, equally decisive victory over Og. Moses recounts these triumphs not merely as historical facts but as powerful theological lessons, designed to instill courage, faith, and obedience in a new generation poised to enter Canaan. The recounting of these victories also justifies the allocation of the Transjordanian territory to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, as detailed later in [Deuteronomy 3:12-17](/deuteronomy/3-12 "Deuteronomy 3:12-17 - Division of Land East of Jordan").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The defeat of Og, king of Bashan, was a monumental event for ancient Israel. Bashan was a fertile, strategically important region known for its strong cities and robust cattle, located northeast of Gilead. Og himself is depicted as a formidable figure, possibly one of the last of the Rephaim, a race of giants (cf. [Deuteronomy 3:11](/deuteronomy/3-11 "Deuteronomy 3:11 - Og's Iron Bedstead")). His capital, Edrei, and his sixty fortified cities with high walls and gates, underscore the military challenge he posed. In the ancient Near East, military victories were often attributed to the patron deity of the conquering nation, and the complete destruction of an enemy, known as *herem* or "devotion to destruction," was a practice sometimes commanded by God to prevent the assimilation of idolatrous practices and to signify the complete triumph of His will. This victory, therefore, was not only a territorial gain but a profound theological statement about Yahweh's supremacy over local deities and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people.
* **Key Themes:** The primary theme underscored by this verse is **Divine Deliverance and Sovereignty**. The phrase "the LORD our God delivered into our hands Og also" unequivocally attributes the victory to God's direct intervention, not Israel's military prowess alone. This reinforces God's absolute control over nations and His active role in fulfilling His promises to His people, a recurring motif throughout [Deuteronomy](/deuteronomy/1 "The Book of Deuteronomy - A Covenant Renewal"). Another significant theme is **Complete Victory and Judgment**. The declaration "we smote him until none was left to him remaining" signifies a total and comprehensive defeat, leaving no survivors or remnants of Og's forces. This complete destruction reflects God's judgment against the wickedness of the Canaanite nations and ensures the purity of Israel's inheritance. Finally, the narrative powerfully illustrates **God's Faithfulness to His Promises**. This victory, following the defeat of Sihon, serves as concrete evidence of God's unwavering commitment to bring Israel into the land He promised their ancestors (cf. [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise to Abram")). It provides reassurance to the new generation that God would continue to fight for them as they faced further challenges in possessing the land of Canaan, echoing the divine promise that "the LORD your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you" ([Deuteronomy 20:4](/deuteronomy/20-4 "Deuteronomy 20:4 - God Fights for Israel")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Delivered (Hebrew, _nâthan'_):** From the verb נָתַן (nathan, H5414), meaning "to give," "to place," or "to put." When used in the idiom "delivered into our hands" (נָתַן בְּיַד, *natan b'yad*), it signifies a transfer of power, authority, or control. This active verb highlights God's initiative and sovereign agency in granting the victory to Israel. It is not merely that Israel won, but that God *gave* them the victory, emphasizing divine empowerment and the theological truth that all true success comes from Him.
* **Smote (Hebrew, _nâkâh'_):** From the verb נָכָה (nakah, H5221), meaning "to strike," "to hit," or "to smite." This versatile verb is often used in a military context to describe a decisive, often fatal, blow or the complete destruction of an enemy. In this verse, its use, coupled with the phrase "until none was left to him remaining," underscores the totality and finality of the victory, indicating that the enemy was utterly annihilated, leaving no survivors or lingering threat.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So the LORD our God delivered into our hands Og also, the king of Bashan, and all his people:"** This opening clause immediately establishes the divine source of the victory. The phrase "the LORD our God" highlights the covenant relationship and personal involvement of Yahweh with Israel. The idiom "delivered into our hands" unequivocally attributes the success not to Israel's military might but to God's sovereign act of granting control over Og and his entire populace. The inclusion of "Og also" links this victory to the previous defeat of Sihon, emphasizing a pattern of divine conquest. Og, identified as "the king of Bashan," underscores the significance of the enemy, a powerful ruler of a fertile and fortified region. The phrase "and all his people" indicates the comprehensive scope of the divine judgment and subsequent Israelite victory, encompassing the entire nation, not just its king or army.
* **"and we smote him until none was left to him remaining."** This second clause describes the outcome of the divine deliverance through the actions of the Israelites. The verb "smote" (Hebrew: _nâkâh_) denotes a decisive and destructive military action. The crucial phrase "until none was left to him remaining" conveys the absolute totality of the victory. This was not a partial defeat or a rout with survivors, but a complete annihilation. This level of destruction was often commanded by God in the conquest narratives, serving as a stark warning against idolatry and a means of preserving the purity of Israel's worship and covenant fidelity by eliminating the corrupting influence of the land's inhabitants.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 3:3 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Hyperbole**, evident in the phrase "until none was left to him remaining." While likely reflecting a devastating and comprehensive military defeat, such language in ancient Near Eastern conquest accounts often emphasizes the totality of the victory rather than a literal, biological extinction of every single individual. It functions to underscore the completeness of God's triumph and the utter subjugation of the enemy. Furthermore, there is an implicit **Divine Passive** in "the LORD our God delivered into our hands." Although the verb "delivered" is active, the focus is on God as the subject, highlighting His agency and power as the true orchestrator of the victory, with Israel serving as His instrument. This theological framing elevates the narrative beyond a mere military report to a testament of divine intervention. The verse also utilizes **Emphasis through Repetition** and **Totality Language**, with "all his people" and "none was left," reinforcing the absolute nature of the conquest and the thoroughness of God's judgment against Og and Bashan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 3:3 is a profound theological statement on God's active involvement in the affairs of His people and His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises. It demonstrates that the conquest of Canaan was not merely a human endeavor but a divine enterprise, orchestrated and empowered by Yahweh Himself. This victory over Og, a formidable foe, served as a powerful reminder that no obstacle is too great for the LORD, reinforcing the foundational truth that God fights for His people. It underscores the themes of divine judgment against wickedness, the fulfillment of prophecy concerning the land, and the establishment of Israel as God's chosen nation. The complete destruction of Og and his people also serves as a stark illustration of the consequences of resisting God's purposes and a testament to His holy justice.

* [Numbers 21:33-35](/numbers/21-33 "Numbers 21:33-35 - Defeat of Og")
* [Psalm 135:10-12](/psalms/135-10 "Psalm 135:10-12 - God's Mighty Deeds")
* [Psalm 136:19-22](/psalms/136-19 "Psalm 136:19-22 - God's Steadfast Love in Conquest")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 3:3 offers enduring lessons for believers today. It calls us to remember that the battles we face, whether spiritual, personal, or societal, are ultimately fought and won by God. Just as the seemingly insurmountable "giant" Og was delivered into Israel's hands, so too can God grant us victory over the daunting challenges in our lives. This verse encourages a profound reliance on divine power rather than solely on our own strength, wisdom, or strategies. It reminds us that God is faithful to His promises, and His past faithfulness serves as a powerful anchor for our present trust. When we feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of our adversaries or the complexity of our circumstances, we are called to look back at God's mighty acts of deliverance, both in biblical history and in our own lives, and to step forward in faith, knowing that the LORD our God is actively fighting for us. This truth should inspire courage, diminish fear, and cultivate a spirit of grateful obedience, as we acknowledge that every true victory is a gift from His sovereign hand.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "giants" or seemingly insurmountable obstacles are you facing today, and how does the account of Og's defeat encourage you to trust in God's power?**
* **How does remembering God's past faithfulness, both in Scripture and in your personal history, strengthen your faith for present and future challenges?**
* **In what ways might you be tempted to rely on your own strength or strategies rather than fully surrendering control to God in a difficult situation?**
* **How does the concept of God fighting for His people shape your understanding of prayer and spiritual warfare?**

### FAQ
**Why was the complete destruction of Og and his people necessary, and how does this align with God's character?**

Answer: The complete destruction of Og and his people, often referred to as *herem* or "devotion to destruction," was a specific command given by God for the conquest of Canaan. This radical measure served several crucial purposes within the unique context of Israel's entry into the Promised Land. Firstly, it was an act of divine judgment against the extreme wickedness and idolatry of the Canaanite nations, whose practices, including child sacrifice and gross immorality, had filled up the measure of their iniquity (cf. [Genesis 15:16](/genesis/15-16 "Genesis 15:16 - Amorite Iniquity Not Yet Complete")). Secondly, it was a protective measure for Israel. God knew that leaving remnants of these idolatrous cultures would inevitably lead to Israel's spiritual corruption and apostasy, as warned throughout [Deuteronomy](/deuteronomy/1 "The Book of Deuteronomy - A Covenant Renewal"). The command for total destruction aimed to prevent the assimilation of pagan practices and preserve the purity of Israel's monotheistic worship and covenant relationship with Yahweh. While challenging to reconcile with modern sensibilities, understanding this within the ancient Near Eastern context of holy war and God's sovereign right to judge nations, it underscores His holiness, justice, and unwavering commitment to His covenant people and their spiritual integrity. It was a unique, divinely ordained judgment for a specific time and purpose, not a general command for all warfare.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The decisive victory over Og, king of Bashan, in Deuteronomy 3:3, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as God delivered a formidable earthly king into Israel's hands, so too has God, in Christ, delivered us from far greater and more powerful spiritual adversaries: sin, death, and the dominion of Satan. The "smoting" of Og "until none was left" foreshadows the complete and total triumph achieved by Jesus on the cross and through His resurrection. Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ utterly disarmed the powers and authorities, triumphing over them (cf. [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). He is the true King who has conquered the ultimate enemies, leaving no remnant of their power to hold His people captive. The land promised to Israel, secured through divine victory, points to the spiritual inheritance and eternal rest that believers receive in Christ (cf. [Hebrews 4:9-10](/hebrews/4-9 "Hebrews 4:9-10 - A Sabbath Rest for the People of God")). Moreover, God's faithfulness in delivering Israel from Og is a testament to His unwavering commitment to His covenant people, a commitment perfectly demonstrated in His sending of His Son to secure our salvation (cf. [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")). In Christ, we experience the ultimate divine deliverance, not just from physical enemies, but from the spiritual bondage that truly separated us from God, ushering us into His eternal kingdom and the abundant life promised through Him (cf. [John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Abundant Life")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Numbers 21:35

So they smote him, and his sons, and all his people, until there was none left him alive: and they possessed his land.

Deuteronomy 2:33

And the LORD our God delivered him before us; and we smote him, and his sons, and all his people.

Deuteronomy 2:34

And we took all his cities at that time, and utterly destroyed the men, and the women, and the little ones, of every city, we left none to remain:

Joshua 13:30

And their coast was from Mahanaim, all Bashan, all the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, and all the towns of Jair, which [are] in Bashan, threescore cities:

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.