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Deuteronomy 3

29 verses

TL;DR

Moses recounts the conquest of Og the giant king of Bashan, the distribution of the conquered lands among the Israelite tribes, and his own denied request to cross the Jordan, urging Joshua to lead the people.

Summary

In Deuteronomy 3 Moses delivers a testimony of God’s deliverance over the Canaanite king Og of Bashan, noting that Og’s land was given to Israel. He recounts the total conquest of sixty cities of Bashan and Argob, the destruction of all inhabitants, and the allocation of the spoils and cattle to Israel. The narrative explains how the land from the River Arnon to Mount Hermon, including Gilead and Bashan, was parceled among the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half‑tribe of Manasseh, with specific mention of Jair and Machir receiving portions. Moses emphasizes that Israel may occupy these cities while the people of the Promised Land must still be defeated; once the other kingdoms are subdued, the Israelites will return to their allotted territories. Moses also reminds Joshua that God will fight for them, and though he was allowed to see the promised land from Mount Pisgah, he is forbidden to cross the Jordan himself, instructing Joshua to lead the crossing.

Outline
  1. 1. The defeat of Og and distribution of Bashan’s lands to Israel
  2. 2. Moses’ warning to Joshua and the promise that God will fight for Israel
  3. 3. Moses’ denied request to cross the Jordan and his exhortation to Joshua
Themes
Divine Deliverance and ConquestAllocation of Land and Covenant PromisesHuman Limitation versus Divine Authority
Keywords
deliverconquerBashangiantsJordanland allotmentMosesJoshuaspoilcattlewarcovenant
People
MosesJoshuaOgSihonJairManassehMachirReubenitesGaditeschildren of AmmonSidonians
Places
BashanEdreiArgobGileadSalchahHermonArnonJabbokChinnerethSea of the PlainAshdothpisgahPisgahBethpeorJordanMount HermonMount SirionMount Shenir
Things
iron bedstead of Ogspoils of warcattlecensusland allotmentshigh wallsgatesbarswargiantsKingdom of OgCovenant promise
Key Verses
  • Deuteronomy 3:8: Shows the comprehensive allotment of conquered lands to Israel
  • Deuteronomy 3:21: Moses’ direct instruction to Joshua to fear not the enemies
  • Deuteronomy 3:26-27: Moses is denied the chance to cross the Jordan, underscoring human limitation
  • Deuteronomy 3:6: Describes the complete destruction of Bashan’s people, highlighting the severity of conquest
Questions
  • What does Moses’ account of the conquest of Og reveal about Israel’s identity as a people of God?
  • How does the distribution of land among the tribes affect our understanding of the covenantal promises?
  • What is the significance of Moses being told not to cross the Jordan?
  • In what ways does the narrative balance divine judgment with mercy?
  • How does the mention of the iron bedstead and the giants contribute to the theological message of the chapter?
Sentiment

mixed
The passage celebrates divine victory and deliverance, yet also depicts brutal conquest and destruction.