Question 1

Who was Og king of Bashan in this passage?

Accepted Answer

Og was a powerful king who ruled over Bashan, a region east of the Jordan River. He is described as one of the last of the giants, which shows how strong and frightening he must have seemed. His iron bed is mentioned with its great size to underline this. Yet when he came out with all his people to fight Israel, God told Moses not to fear. God delivered Og, his people, and his land into Israel’s hand, showing that no human strength can stand against God’s promise and power.

Question 2

Why did God tell Israel not to fear Og and his cities?

Accepted Answer

Og’s kingdom had sixty fortified cities with high walls, gates, and bars, along with many towns. Humanly speaking, this would be very scary, especially after Israel’s earlier fears of strong cities. God told Moses, “Fear him not,” because He Himself would give Og, his people, and his land into Israel’s hand. The point is that God, not Israel’s numbers or strength, decides the outcome. Remembering how God dealt with Og was meant to give courage for the battles still ahead in the promised land.

Question 3

Why were the people of Bashan destroyed but the cities and cattle taken?

Accepted Answer

The passage says Israel utterly destroyed the men, women, and children of the cities, as had been done with Sihon, but kept the cattle and other goods as spoil. This was not random violence but God’s judgment on these peoples and their deep sin. At the same time, God provided for Israel’s needs through the livestock and goods they took. The cities themselves were left standing so Israel could live in them. This is a hard part of Scripture, but it shows that God has the right to judge and to give land and goods as He chooses.

Question 4

What is the meaning of Og’s iron bed and its size?

Accepted Answer

The mention of Og’s iron bed, about nine cubits long and four cubits wide, is there to highlight how huge he was. He is called part of the remnant of giants, and his bed in Rabbath of the children of Ammon served as a kind of reminder of his size. This detail is not just trivia. It shows that even someone who seemed unbeatable in human eyes was no match for the Lord. For Israel, remembering Og’s size and defeat was meant to strengthen their trust that God could handle any enemy in Canaan.

Question 5

Why did Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh receive land east of the Jordan?

Accepted Answer

After the victories over Sihon and Og, Israel held a large stretch of land east of the Jordan, from the river Arnon up to Mount Hermon. This area included Gilead and Bashan, with many cities and good pasture. Moses gave parts of this land to the Reubenites, Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh. They had much cattle, so this land suited them well. But they were not free just to settle and stay. The fighting men had to cross over armed with the rest of Israel until all the tribes received their land and rest from God.

Question 6

What responsibility did the eastern tribes have to their brothers?

Accepted Answer

The tribes who received land east of the Jordan were told clearly that their blessing came with a duty. Their wives, children, and livestock would stay in the cities they had been given, but all who were fit for war had to cross over armed before their brothers. They were to help until the Lord gave rest to the other tribes in the land west of the Jordan. This shows that in God’s people, no group is meant to think only of itself. When God blesses us, we are still called to stand with others until they too share in what God has promised.

Question 7

What does this passage show about God fighting for His people?

Accepted Answer

Moses reminds Joshua and the people that their victories over Sihon and Og were not because of their own strength, but because God fought for them. The defeat of two strong kings with many fortified cities is used as a picture of what God will keep doing when they go into the land across the Jordan. Moses tells Joshua, “So shall the Lord do unto all the kingdoms whither thou passest” and, “You shall not fear them, for the Lord your God he shall fight for you.” The lesson is that God’s past help is a reason to trust Him for future battles.

Question 8

Why did God refuse Moses’ request to enter the promised land?

Accepted Answer

Moses prayed honestly, asking God to let him cross over and see the good land, the good mountain, and Lebanon. He praised God’s greatness and power. But God had already said that Moses would not enter because of his earlier disobedience. In this passage, God is firm: “Let it suffice thee; speak no more unto me of this matter.” Instead of crossing, Moses is told to go up Pisgah, look over the land, and then encourage and strengthen Joshua. This shows that even a faithful leader like Moses must submit to God’s judgment and accept God’s will.

Question 9

What does Moses’ prayer and God’s answer teach about obedience and submission?

Accepted Answer

Moses’ prayer is full of love for God and longing to see the promised land. He speaks of God’s mighty hand and says there is no other god like Him. Yet God’s answer is “no,” because of Moses’ past failure. God lets him see the land from the mountain but not enter. Moses must now build up Joshua to lead the people in his place. This teaches that even when we deeply desire something good, God’s will is still best. It also shows that God’s promises move forward, even when one servant’s part in the story comes to an end.

Deuteronomy 3:1

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.

The Defeat of Og

Land Division East of the Jordan

Moses Forbidden to Cross the Jordan

The Defeat of Og

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Deuteronomy 3:1

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.

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The Defeat of Og

Land Division East of the Jordan

Moses Forbidden to Cross the Jordan

The Defeat of Og

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