Deuteronomy 3:4

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And we took {H3920} all his cities {H5892} at that time {H6256}, there was not a city {H7151} which we took {H3947} not from them, threescore {H8346} cities {H5892}, all the region {H2256} of Argob {H709}, the kingdom {H4467} of Og {H5747} in Bashan {H1316}.

Complete Jewish Bible

At that time we captured all his cities; there was not one city of theirs that we didn't capture. There were sixty cities, all the region of Argov, the kingdom of 'Og in Bashan;

Berean Standard Bible

At that time we captured all sixty of his cities. There was not a single city we failed to take—the entire region of Argob, the kingdom of Og in Bashan.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 3:4 records a monumental moment in Israel's wilderness journey, detailing the comprehensive and divinely orchestrated conquest of King Og of Bashan. This verse emphasizes the sheer scale and totality of the victory, specifying that all sixty of Og's fortified cities, including the strategically vital region of Argob, were captured without exception. This decisive triumph, occurring east of the Jordan River, served as a powerful testament to God's faithfulness, His empowering presence with His people, and a significant step in the tangible fulfillment of His covenant promises regarding the land of inheritance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 3:4 is embedded within Moses' second major address to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, delivered just before they are to enter the Promised Land. Chapters 1-3 of Deuteronomy serve as a retrospective account, where Moses recounts the journey from Horeb to their current position, highlighting God's faithfulness and Israel's experiences. Specifically, this verse follows the detailed narrative of the defeat of Sihon, king of the Amorites, in [Deuteronomy 2:26-37](/deuteronomy/2-26-37 "Deuteronomy 2:26-37 - Defeat of Sihon"). The conquest of Og, a formidable king, is presented as the second major victory east of the Jordan, reinforcing the theme of God's power and His commitment to delivering the land into Israel's hands, as promised in [Deuteronomy 3:1-3](/deuteronomy/3-1-3 "Deuteronomy 3:1-3 - God Delivers Og").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events described in Deuteronomy 3:4 took place in the region of Bashan, a fertile and strategically important area east of the Jordan River, known for its strong, fortified cities. King Og himself was presented as a formidable foe, being identified as one of the last of the Rephaim, a race of giants (as noted in [Deuteronomy 3:11](/deuteronomy/3-11 "Deuteronomy 3:11 - Og's Iron Bedstead")). The mention of "threescore cities" (sixty cities) and "the region of Argob" underscores the vastness and strength of Og's kingdom. Argob, in particular, was a basaltic region, making it naturally defensible and likely dotted with well-fortified towns, indicating that this was no minor skirmish but a major military undertaking against a powerful adversary. The complete subjugation of such a kingdom would have been a profoundly significant achievement, demonstrating divine intervention rather than mere human military prowess.
* **Key Themes:** The conquest detailed in Deuteronomy 3:4 vividly illustrates several foundational themes. Firstly, it powerfully demonstrates **Divine Empowerment and Victory**, emphasizing that Israel's success was not by their own strength but by God's direct intervention, enabling them to overcome a seemingly insurmountable enemy like Og. Secondly, the repeated phrasing "all his cities," and "not a city which we took not" highlights the **Thoroughness of Conquest**, signifying God's command for complete eradication of the inhabitants of the land, leaving no stronghold unconquered. This thoroughness was crucial for establishing Israel's secure possession of the territory. Lastly, this victory represents a tangible **Fulfillment of God's Covenant Promise** to Abraham's descendants (see [Genesis 15:18-21](/genesis/15-18-21 "Genesis 15:18-21 - God's Covenant with Abraham")), as the acquisition of Bashan and Argob secured significant territory, affirming God's faithfulness to His word and His commitment to providing an inheritance for His people before they even entered the main land of Canaan.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Threescore (Hebrew, _shishshîym'_):** This term literally means "sixty." The mention of "sixty cities" is not an exaggeration but a precise detail that conveys the immense scale of King Og's domain and, consequently, the magnitude of Israel's victory. For the ancient world, controlling sixty fortified cities represented a significant regional power. The immediate and complete capture of all of them underscores the overwhelming nature of the divine intervention and the thoroughness of the conquest.
* **Argob (Hebrew, _ʼArgôb'_):** This refers to a specific, well-known region within Bashan. Historically, Argob was characterized by its rugged, basaltic terrain, which naturally lent itself to the construction of numerous fortified towns. Its mention specifies that even the most difficult and strongholds within Og's kingdom were taken. The name itself might be related to a word meaning "clod" or "mound," perhaps referring to the rocky landscape, further emphasizing the challenge and the completeness of the Israelite triumph over such a formidable geographical and military obstacle.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And we took all his cities at that time":** This opening clause immediately establishes the comprehensive nature of the conquest. The "we" refers to the Israelites under Moses' leadership, but the context of [Deuteronomy 3:2](/deuteronomy/3-2 "Deuteronomy 3:2 - God's Promise to Deliver Og") makes it clear that this was a divinely enabled taking. "At that time" indicates the swiftness and decisiveness of the victory, implying a rapid campaign that left no city standing.
* **"there was not a city which we took not from them":** This phrase employs a strong double negative ("not a city which we took not") to emphatically reiterate the totality of the conquest. It leaves no room for doubt or exception; every single city belonging to Og was captured. This highlights the thoroughness of God's judgment and Israel's obedience in carrying out the divine command for complete subjugation.
* **"threescore cities, all the region of Argob, the kingdom of Og in Bashan":** This concluding part of the verse provides specific, concrete details that ground the victory in reality and underscore its vastness. Naming "threescore cities" (sixty cities) gives a precise numerical scale. The inclusion of "all the region of Argob" specifies a particularly strong and fortified district within Bashan, indicating that even the most challenging areas were subdued. Finally, "the kingdom of Og in Bashan" serves as a summarizing geographical and political identifier, confirming that the entire domain of this powerful king was brought under Israelite control.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 3:4 effectively employs several literary devices to convey the significance of Israel's victory. **Repetition** is prominent, particularly through the use of synonymous phrases like "all his cities" and "there was not a city which we took not." This emphatic reiteration serves to underscore the absolute totality and completeness of the conquest, leaving no ambiguity about the extent of the victory. **Enumeration** is also key, with the precise mention of "threescore cities," which provides a concrete and impressive scale to the achievement. This numerical detail, combined with specific **Geographical Naming** ("the region of Argob," "Bashan"), grounds the narrative in a tangible reality, allowing the audience to grasp the immense territory and formidable strongholds that were overcome. The overall effect is one of overwhelming success, attributed not merely to Israel's military might but to a divinely empowered campaign.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The profound victory over King Og, as detailed in Deuteronomy 3:4, serves as a powerful theological statement about God's unwavering faithfulness and His active role in securing the inheritance for His people. This was not merely a human military triumph, but a divine conquest, demonstrating that when God commands, He also provides the power to accomplish. The thoroughness of the victory—"not a city which we took not"—underscores God's commitment to delivering His promises completely and His judgment against the wickedness of the nations inhabiting the land. This event instilled confidence in Israel that the same God who delivered Og would continue to fight for them as they entered Canaan, reminding them that their ultimate success depended on His power and their obedience.

* [Numbers 21:33-35](/numbers/21-33-35 "The Defeat of Og")
* [Joshua 11:20](/joshua/11-20 "God Hardens Hearts for Destruction")
* [Psalm 44:3](/psalm/44-3 "Not by Their Sword, but by God's Hand")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The comprehensive victory of Israel over King Og in Bashan, where not a single city remained unconquered, offers a profound spiritual lesson for believers today. Just as God empowered His people to overcome a physically imposing and strategically fortified enemy, He promises to equip us to conquer the spiritual "giants" and strongholds in our lives. This verse reminds us that no obstacle is too great for God's power, whether it be a persistent sin, a debilitating fear, or a seemingly insurmountable challenge. The thoroughness of the conquest also challenges us to consider the completeness God desires in our own spiritual transformation—a call not to leave any "city" of our heart unconquered by His grace, but to allow Him to bring every area under His Lordship. This historical account serves as an enduring testament to God's ability to provide complete victory for those who trust and obey Him, encouraging us to step out in faith against our own formidable foes, knowing that the battle belongs to the Lord.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the complete and thorough victory over King Og encourage you when facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles in your own life?**
* **In what "cities" or areas of your life might God be calling you to allow Him to achieve a "complete conquest" over sin, fear, or unbelief?**
* **How can remembering God's past faithfulness, both in biblical history and in your personal experience, strengthen your faith for future challenges?**

### FAQ

**Why is the specific mention of "threescore cities" and "the region of Argob" so significant in this verse?**

Answer: The mention of "threescore cities" (sixty cities) and "the region of Argob" is highly significant because it emphasizes the vastness and strength of King Og's kingdom and, consequently, the magnitude of Israel's divinely enabled victory. Bashan was a fertile and strategically important region, and Argob was known for its numerous, well-fortified towns, often built from basalt rock, making them exceptionally difficult to conquer. By specifying that all sixty cities, including those in the formidable region of Argob, were taken, the text underscores that no stronghold was too strong for the Lord. This detail vividly illustrates the completeness of God's deliverance and the thoroughness of the conquest, leaving no doubt that this was an overwhelming triumph, not a partial one. It served to build Israel's confidence in God's power to fulfill His promises, even against the most formidable foes.

**Who was King Og, and why was his defeat so important for the Israelites?**

Answer: King Og was the Amorite king of Bashan, famously described as one of the last of the Rephaim, a race of giants (as noted in [Deuteronomy 3:11](/deuteronomy/3-11 "Deuteronomy 3:11 - Og's Iron Bedstead")). His defeat was immensely important for several reasons. Firstly, it removed a powerful and formidable enemy who stood in the way of Israel's progress towards the Promised Land. Og's size and the strength of his kingdom made him a significant threat. Secondly, his defeat, following that of Sihon, secured a large and fertile territory east of the Jordan River for the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh, fulfilling a crucial part of God's covenant promise to give them land (see [Deuteronomy 3:12-17](/deuteronomy/3-12-17 "Deuteronomy 3:12-17 - Allotment of Land East of Jordan")). This victory served as a tangible demonstration of God's faithfulness and power, providing a powerful precedent and encouragement for the Israelites as they prepared to enter and conquer the lands west of the Jordan. It solidified their understanding that God was indeed fighting for them.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The thorough and complete victory over King Og in Deuteronomy 3:4, where not a single city remained unconquered, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and decisive triumph of Jesus Christ over the spiritual enemies of humanity. Just as Og represented a formidable and seemingly insurmountable obstacle to Israel's inheritance, so too do sin, death, and the devil stand as the ultimate adversaries preventing humanity from inheriting eternal life. Christ, the greater Moses and the perfect Warrior, did not merely wound these enemies but achieved a complete and total conquest. Through His sacrificial death on the cross and His glorious resurrection, Jesus disarmed the spiritual powers and authorities, triumphing over them publicly (as declared in [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). He rendered powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil (as articulated in [Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Defeat of Death")). The "threescore cities" of Og's kingdom, utterly subdued, point to the comprehensive nature of Christ's victory, leaving no stronghold of darkness unconquered. This complete victory ensures that all who are in Christ are delivered from the dominion of darkness and transferred into His kingdom (as celebrated in [Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Redemption and Forgiveness")), securing for them an eternal inheritance far greater than any earthly land.

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

1 Kings 4:13

The son of Geber, in Ramothgilead; to him [pertained] the towns of Jair the son of Manasseh, which [are] in Gilead; to him [also pertained] the region of Argob, which [is] in Bashan, threescore great cities with walls and brasen bars:

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 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 13:31

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.

Numbers 32:33

And Moses gave unto them, [even] to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and unto half the tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, the land, with the cities thereof in the coasts, [even] the cities of the country round about.

Numbers 32:42

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