Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Numbers 21:33
And they turned and went up by the way of Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan went out against them, he, and all his people, to the battle at Edrei.
33. by the way to the Bashan ] The name, which usually has the article, seems to signify ‘soft and fertile ground.’ The Bashan was ‘the broad and fertile tract of country on the E . of Jordan, bounded (somewhat roughly) on the S. by the Yarmk and a line passing through Edre‘i and Salecah (mentioned as border cities in Deu 3:10), on the E . by the imposing range of extinct volcanoes called the Jebel aurn, on the W. by Geshur and Ma‘acah (see Jos 12:5), and on the N. stretching out towards Hermon (cf. Deu 33:22)’ (Driver, Enc. Bibl. [Note: nc. Bibl. Encyclopaedia Biblica.] 495). It was noted for its rich pastures, its well-fed herds of cattle and its oak forests.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
In these apparently unimportant words is contained the record of the Israelite Num 32:39 occupation of Gilead north of the Jabbok; a territory which, though populated, like southern Gilead, by the Amorites (Deu 3:9; Jos 2:10, etc.), formed part of the domain of Og king of Bashan, who was himself of a different race Deu 3:2; Jos 12:5; Jos 13:11. We are not told whether they were led there by express warrant of God, or whether their advance upon Bashan was provoked by Og and his people.
At Edrei – Now Edhraah, commonly Dera; situate on a branch of the Jarmuk. This river formed the boundary between Gilead and Bashan.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Og also was a king of the Amorites, of whom see Deu 3:1,11. And it may seem that Sihon and Og were the leaders or captains of two great colonies which came out of Canaan, and drove out the former inhabitants of these places.
Bashan, a rich country, famous for its pastures and breed of cattle, Deu 32:14; Psa 22:12; Jer 1:19, and for its oaks, Eze 27:6.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
33. they turned and went up by theway of Bashana name given to that district from the richnessof the soilnow Batanea or El-Botteina hilly region east of theJordan lying between the mountains of Hermon on the north and thoseof Gilead on the south.
Oga giant, anAmoritish prince, who, having opposed the progress of the Israelites,was defeated.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And they turned,…. From Jaazer, after they had taken it, and came back a little way:
and went up by the way of Bashan; which was a nearer way to Canaan, a fine country abounding with oxen and sheep, having rich pastures, and very famous for its oaks; it had its name from the mountain of Bashan in it, and has been since called Batanea; it was at this time in the hands of the Amorites, and from them it was taken by Israel, as follows: who marched this way for that purpose, or at least were so directed by the providence of God for that end:
and Og king of Bashan went out against them; who was of the race of the giants, and he himself of a gigantic stature, and was a king of the Amorites, as well as Sihon, De 3:8, he came out in an hostile manner against Israel, to stop them going any further:
he, and all his people: out of his many cities, a numerous army no doubt:
to the battle at Edrei; where it was fought between him and Israel. Jerom says t it was in his time called Adara, a famous city of Arabia, twenty four or twenty five miles from Bozra, and six from Ashtaroth Karnaim, the ancient seat of the Rephaim, or giants from whom Og sprung, Ge 14:5, and was the seat of Og now, from whence he came to Edrei or Adara, to meet and fight Israel there; see De 1:4.
t De locis Heb. fol. 87. I. & 92. M.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
33. And they turned and went up. Here there is another victory of the people described, wherein they again experienced the continued favor of God, in order that they may be aroused to greater alacrity, and courageously prepare themselves for farther progress; for they might confidently expect that, with God for their leader, all things would succeed prosperously with them. The region of Bashan, as Scripture informs us in many places, was fertile, and famous for its rich pastures; but Moses here also testifies to its great extent. It was, then, no ordinary proof of God’s favor and aid, that they should take it in a moment, as it were. It is not, therefore, without cause, that, in the Psalm, God’s power and goodness is magnified in reference to these victories; because He
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slew mighty kings, Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and gave their land for a heritage, a heritage unto his people.” (Psa 135:10.):
For, although the Israelites were superior in numbers, yet there is no doubt but that, when this king dared to go forth to battle, he trusted in his forces, and deemed himself equal to resistance. Hence did God’s grace shine forth the more conspicuously; and, indeed, in order that he may extol its greatness the more, Moses afterwards also relates that sixty cities were taken. (135)
(135) Addition in Fr, “sans les bourgades;“ not reckoning the villages.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
33. Bashan is thus bounded: on the north by Mount Hermon, on the east by Salcah, the Geshurites, and the Maachathites, on the south by the “border of Gilead,” and on the west by the Jordan valley. This, with “half Gilead,” was allotted to the half-tribe of Manasseh. Recent explorers have discovered in this region almost fabulous wonders in the number of ruined cities, their cyclopean architecture and surprising preservation confirming the scriptural statement that the Rephaim, the giants, once flourished here. “The cities built and occupied some forty centuries ago by these old giants exist even yet. I have traversed their streets; I have opened the doors of their houses; I have slept peacefully in their long-deserted halls.” J.L. Porter. “The richness of the whole district was of itself sufficient attraction for the invaders, for the oaks of Bashan and the vast herds of cattle that roamed its forest glades and green meadows were its boast and glory, while the landscapes and pastoral wealth of Gilead were hardly less famous. Lovely natural parks, frequent glades covered with heavy crops of wheat and barley, and with trees and shrubs grouped in charming variety, dark forests forming the background, charm the traveller even now.” Geikie. Og, the last representative of the giant race, was lord of sixty fenced cities. Himself, his sons, and his people were defeated and exterminated by Israel at Edrei after the conquest of Sihon, his friend and ally according to Josephus. His enormous stature is corroborated by an appeal to a relic still existing in the time of the author of Deu 3:11. His unusual size and prowess as a warrior excited among the Israelites a dread which God himself alleviated by his special encouragement to Moses before the battle, “Fear him not.”
Edrei “The Strong.” There were apparently two towns in Bashan of this name. One is mentioned in Deu 1:4, and Jos 12:4, identified as the modern Dera, or Draa, on the east of the pilgrim-road between Remtha and Mezareib. At this southern Edrei Keil supposes that the great battle was fought, from the improbability that King Og would suffer Israel’s invading army to march to the northern frontier of his kingdom, the site of the other Edrei, without contesting his advance. See Jos 13:31, note. The capital of Og was almost unassailable, being built in a hollow artificially scooped out of the top of a hill, which the deep gorge of the Hiero-max isolates from the country around. Its streets may be still seen running inall directions beneath the present town of Adraha.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Num 21:33. Went by the way of Bashan A famous mountain, Psa 68:15 lying more northwardly than the country of Sihon, and belonging also to the Amorites; for both Sihon and Og are said to be kings of the Amorites, Deu 3:8. It is celebrated in Scripture for its rich pasture, and excellent breed of cattle, Psa 22:12 and for its stately oaks, Eze 27:6. It gave name to that whole country where Og reigned, which was called by the Scythians and Arabians Bethana, and by the Greeks Batanea; and it lay about the brook Jabbok. Og was of the remnant of the giants of Rephaim, who were a mighty people in that country; compare Genesis 14 with Jos 12:4; Jos 13:12. Edrei, afterwards called Adra, is placed by St. Jerome among the considerable villages of Arabia, about four miles from Bozrah.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
they turned: Deu 3:1-6, Deu 29:7, Jos 13:12
Bashan: Deu 32:14, Psa 22:12, Psa 68:15, Isa 33:9, Eze 27:6, Eze 39:18, Amo 4:1
Og: Num 32:33, Deu 1:4, Deu 3:1, Deu 4:47, Deu 29:7, Jos 9:10, Jos 12:4, Jos 13:30
Reciprocal: Deu 3:10 – Edrei 1Ch 5:11 – Gad 1Ch 5:12 – Bashan 1Ch 6:71 – Bashan Psa 68:22 – Bashan Psa 136:20 – General
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Num 21:33. Og Who was also a king of the Amorites. And it may seem that Sihon and Og were the leaders or captains of two great colonies which came out of Canaan, and drove out the former inhabitants of these places. Bashan A rich country, famous for its pastures and breed of cattle, and for its oaks.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Num 21:33-35. The Conquest of Bashan.This passage is substantially identical with Deu 3:1-3, and is generally regarded as transferred hither from thence. It is ignored in Num 22:2. Bashan (the country N. of the Yarmuk), the modern Haurn, was probably occupied by Israelite settlers who migrated thither from the W. of Jordan in post-Mosaic times. It was famous for its oaks, sheep, and cattle (Isa 2:13, Deu 32:14, Psa 22:12).
33. Edrei: the modern Edreat, 30 miles E. of the Lake of Gennesaret.
Num 21:35. and his sons: omit (cf. Num 21:33 f., Deu 3:3).
Fuente: Peake’s Commentary on the Bible
Israel’s defeat of Og 21:33-35
Heshbon was a city, but Bashan was a territory. Bashan lay north of the Yarmuk Wadi. Evidently at the time of Israel’s conquest Og controlled the territory south of the Yarmuk as far as the Jabbok, the area known as Gilead. [Note: Eugene H. Merrill, Kingdom of Priests, p. 89.] Og’s domain lay north of the Jabbok Wadi and extended north as far as Mt. Hermon, about 60 miles north of the Sea of Chinnereth (Galilee). The town of Edrei (Num 21:33) stood near the border of Bashan. See Deu 3:1-17 for a fuller description of this victory.
The Israelites moved their camp from Mt. Pisgah (Num 21:20) farther west and a little north to the plains of Moab (Num 21:1) between Beth-jeshimoth and Abel-shittim (lit. meadow of acacia groves; Num 33:49). This site was closer to the Jordan River and opposite Jericho, which stood about five miles west of the Jordan. The people stayed at this location until they crossed the Jordan under Joshua’s leadership (Jos 3:1). The remaining events Moses recorded in Numbers and all those he penned in Deuteronomy took place here.
These victories gave the Israelites possession of all the land east of the Jordan River, west of the border of the Ammonites, north to Mt. Hermon, and south to the Arnon. The Israelites defeated the Amorites that occupied this area. They did not fight the Edomites, Moabites, or Ammonites, however, by the command of God because these people were their relatives. They were not Canaanites. This great victory over Og assured the Israelites further that God would give them victory on the other side of the Jordan (Num 21:34).