Lexical Summary Edrei: Edrei Original Word: אֶדְרֶעִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Edrei From the equivalent of edra'; mighty; Edrei, the name of two places in Palestine -- Edrei. see HEBREW edra' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition a chief city of Bashan, also a place in Naphtali NASB Translation Edrei (8). Brown-Driver-Briggs אֶדְרֶ֫עִי proper name, of a location a chief city of Bashan אֶדְרֶ֖עִי Joshua 19:37; אֶדְרֶ֑עִי Numbers 21:33 = Deuteronomy 3:1,10; בְּעַשְׁתָּרֹת בְּאֶדְרֶ֑עִי Deuteronomy 1:4; בְּעַשְׁתָּרֹת וּבְאֶדְרֶ֑עִי Joshua 12:4; Joshua 13:12; compare Joshua 13:31; — on identity of all these compare Di Deuteronomy 3:10; modern Der`ât, 7 2-Janhours west-northwest of Bosra; Euseb. Ἀδραά (LagOnom. 213, 86 2nd ed. 235) compare Di Numbers 21:33 WetzstHauran 47, 77, 123 BdPal 201. Topical Lexicon Geographical Setting and IdentityEdrei was one of the principal cities of Bashan east of the Jordan, situated in a fertile volcanic plateau renowned for its thick-walled basalt towns. Together with Ashtaroth, it served as a royal residence for Og, the last of the Rephaim. The site is commonly associated with modern-day Daraa in southern Syria. A second, smaller Edrei is named within the tribal inheritance of Naphtali (Joshua 19:37), probably a fortified frontier village in Upper Galilee. Both locations lay along strategic north-south routes that linked the Transjordan to the Lebanese–Syrian corridor, making them natural strongholds in any military campaign. Biblical Occurrences 1. Numbers 21:33; Deuteronomy 1:4; 3:1 – Israel’s decisive victory over Og “at Edrei.” Historical Context Edrei’s prominence stems from the final stage of Israel’s wilderness trek. After Sihon of the Amorites fell, Og rallied his forces and “came out against them … to battle at Edrei” (Numbers 21:33). The confrontation was swift and total, demonstrating the LORD’s supremacy over even the tallest of foes (Deuteronomy 3:11). Moses commemorated the event in his farewell teachings, anchoring Israel’s confidence for the impending conquest of Canaan. The basalt architecture of Bashan’s cities, many with monolithic door-stones still visible today, corroborates the biblical description of massive, well-fortified settlements (Deuteronomy 3:5). Edrei would have embodied that defensive strength, yet it fell in a single encounter, underscoring that “the battle is the LORD’s.” Strategic Significance for Tribal Allotments The half-tribe of Manasseh inherited Edrei along with the broader kingdom of Og. Its possession secured fertile pasturelands famed for “the bulls of Bashan” (Psalm 22:12) and supplied a defensive buffer along Israel’s northeastern frontier. Centuries later, prophetic oracles referencing Bashan’s pride (Amos 4:1; Zechariah 11:2) recall the abundance first granted at Edrei. The Galilean Edrei of Naphtali added depth to that tribe’s northern defences. Though less celebrated, its mention in Joshua 19 indicates that the name had become synonymous with fortified boundaries—places where God’s people held ground once dominated by enemy powers. Theological and Ministry Themes 1. Divine Conquest over Gigantic Opposition The fall of Edrei pictures God’s ability to overthrow obstacles that loom beyond human capacity. Og’s stature (Deuteronomy 3:11) and Edrei’s walls magnify the miracle. 2. Covenant Fulfillment From the promise to Abraham (Genesis 15:18-21) to the distribution of land in Joshua, Edrei stands as an evidential marker that “not one of all the good promises … failed” (Joshua 21:45). 3. Spiritual Boundaries Believers are urged to occupy their “inheritance among the saints” (Ephesians 1:18) with the same boldness that enabled Israel to settle Edrei. The city’s name surfaces six times in conquest narratives and twice in allotment lists, linking victory with subsequent stewardship. Lessons for Leadership Moses recounts the Edrei victory immediately before charging Joshua to lead (Deuteronomy 3:21-22): “Your own eyes have seen everything that the LORD your God has done … do not be afraid of them.” Christian leaders likewise draw courage from past deliverances; history at Edrei fuels present obedience. Prophetic Echoes Isaiah 33:8 laments deserted highways and broken treaties in Bashan, while Ezekiel 39:18 speaks of the “mighty men of Bashan” whose downfall accompanies the LORD’s final vindication. Both passages echo Edrei’s earlier defeat, suggesting that God’s triumph there foreshadows His ultimate eschatological victory over the proud. Christological Insights Og’s overthrow prefigures Christ’s conquest of the “principalities and powers” (Colossians 2:15). As Edrei’s basalt gates could not withstand Israel’s advance, so “the gates of Hades will not prevail” against the church (Matthew 16:18). The geography of salvation history moves from literal fortified cities to spiritual strongholds demolished by the gospel. Practical Application • Remember and rehearse God’s past victories; they galvanize present faith. Edrei, once a citadel of a giant king, now serves as a testament to the unassailable promises of God and an enduring encouragement for the people of faith to trust Him for battles yet to come. Forms and Transliterations אֶדְרֶֽעִי׃ אדרעי׃ בְּאֶדְרֶֽעִי׃ באדרעי׃ וְאֶדְרֶ֑עִי וְאֶדְרֶ֔עִי וְאֶדְרֶ֖עִי וּבְאֶדְרֶ֑עִי וּבְאֶדְרֶֽעִי׃ ואדרעי ובאדרעי ובאדרעי׃ ’eḏ·re·‘î ’eḏre‘î bə’eḏre‘î bə·’eḏ·re·‘î beedRei edRei ū·ḇə·’eḏ·re·‘î ūḇə’eḏre‘î uveedRei veedRei wə’eḏre‘î wə·’eḏ·re·‘îLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 21:33 HEB: עַמּ֛וֹ לַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה אֶדְרֶֽעִי׃ NAS: his people, for battle at Edrei. KJV: to the battle at Edrei. INT: his people battle Edrei Deuteronomy 1:4 Deuteronomy 3:1 Deuteronomy 3:10 Joshua 12:4 Joshua 13:12 Joshua 13:31 Joshua 19:37 8 Occurrences |
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