Lexical Summary Og: Og Original Word: עוֹג Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Og Probably from uwg; round; Og, a king of Bashan -- Og. see HEBREW uwg NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as uggah Definition king of Bashan NASB Translation Og (22). Brown-Driver-Briggs עוֺג and (1 Kings 4:19) עֹג proper name, masculine (originally proper name, of divinity, according to RSSem i. 91, 2nd ed, 93); — Og, giant king of Bashan (i. e., peculiarly, of a country, see RSl.c.), usually + סִיחוֺן (q. v.); Numbers 21:33 (JE), Numbers 32:33 (P), Deuteronomy 1:4; Deuteronomy 3:1,3,4,10,11,13; Deuteronomy 4:47; Deuteronomy 29:6; Deuteronomy 31:4; Joshua 2:10; Joshua 9:10; Joshua 12:4; Joshua 13:12,30,3 (probably all D), 1 Kings 4:19; Nehemiah 9:22; Psalm 135:11; Psalm 136:20; ᵐ5 (Ωγ (Τωγ B Deuteronomy 3:1; Deuteronomy 4:47). עוּגָב, עֻגָב see עגב. Topical Lexicon Identity and BackgroundOg is introduced in Scripture as the last remaining king of the Rephaim, a race of formidable giants who had formerly filled the Transjordan (Deuteronomy 3:11). He ruled the Amorite kingdom of Bashan, a fertile plateau east of the Jordan River celebrated for its rich pastures and strong fortified cities. Og’s reputation for extraordinary size and strength was legendary; the biblical record preserves the dimensions of his iron bed—“nine cubits long and four cubits wide” (Deuteronomy 3:11)—as a tangible reminder of his imposing stature. Territory of Og Bashan stretched from the slopes of Mount Hermon southward to the borders of Gilead, and from the Yarmuk River eastward to Salcah. Biblical references (Numbers 32:33; Deuteronomy 3:4; Joshua 13:30–31) enumerate sixty walled cities “with high walls, gates, and bars,” along with many unwalled towns. Key urban centers such as Ashtaroth, Edrei, and Salcah functioned as administrative and military hubs. The lush oak forests and volcanic soil of Bashan produced prized cattle (Psalm 22:12; Amos 4:1) and timber, making the region economically strategic. Confrontation with Israel Israel’s encounter with Og unfolded late in the Exodus journey. After the victory over Sihon of Heshbon, Og amassed his forces and “marched out against them with all his people to fight at Edrei” (Numbers 21:33). Moses received divine reassurance: “Do not fear him, for I have delivered him into your hand” (Deuteronomy 3:2). Israel’s ensuing victory was total—Og, his sons, and all his people were struck down, and no survivor remained (Deuteronomy 3:3). The conquest opened the northern Transjordan to Israelite occupation and provided territory for the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh (Numbers 32:33). Biblical Remembrance Scripture repeatedly cites the defeat of Og as evidence of the LORD’s covenant faithfulness. Moses invoked it to encourage the new generation on the plains of Moab (Deuteronomy 29:7; 31:4). Centuries later, the psalmist praised the LORD who “struck down mighty kings… Og king of Bashan, for His loving devotion endures forever” (Psalm 136:19–20; cf. Psalm 135:11). Nehemiah recalled the event in his national confession (Nehemiah 9:22), underscoring its lasting impact on Israel’s collective memory. Theological and Symbolic Significance 1. Divine Sovereignty over Giants. Og embodied the towering opposition that seemed humanly insurmountable. His defeat testified that no physical or political strength can thwart the purposes of God. Historical and Archaeological Insights Ancient texts such as the Ugaritic literature mention a region that aligns with Bashan, rich in oaks and volcanic crags. Massive megalithic dolmens and “giant” constructions still dot the Golan Heights, echoing a culture comfortable with cyclopean architecture. Though direct physical evidence of Og himself remains elusive, the biblical description of an iron bed conforms to Late Bronze metallurgy; iron was rare and costly, reinforcing the picture of extraordinary wealth and power. Lessons for Ministry • Courage from Past Victories: Remembering how the LORD “delivered Og… into our hands” equips believers to face current challenges with faith (compare Joshua 2:10; 9:10). Key References Deuteronomy 3:1–13; Deuteronomy 4:47; Deuteronomy 29:7; Deuteronomy 31:4 Joshua 2:10; Joshua 9:10; Joshua 12:4; Joshua 13:12, 30–31 Forms and Transliterations וְע֨וֹג וְעֹג֙ וּ֭לְעוֹג וּלְע֔וֹג וּלְע֛וֹג וּלְע֥וֹג ולעוג ועג ועוג ע֔וֹג ע֖וֹג ע֚וֹג ע֞וֹג ע֣וֹג ע֥וֹג עוֹג֙ עוֹג֩ עוג ‘ō·wḡ ‘ōwḡ Og ū·lə·‘ō·wḡ ūlə‘ōwḡ uleog veog wə‘ōḡ wə‘ōwḡ wə·‘ō·wḡ wə·‘ōḡLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 21:33 HEB: הַבָּשָׁ֑ן וַיֵּצֵ֣א עוֹג֩ מֶֽלֶךְ־ הַבָּשָׁ֨ן NAS: of Bashan, and Og the king KJV: of Bashan: and Og the king INT: of Bashan went and Og the king of Bashan Numbers 32:33 Deuteronomy 1:4 Deuteronomy 3:1 Deuteronomy 3:3 Deuteronomy 3:4 Deuteronomy 3:10 Deuteronomy 3:11 Deuteronomy 3:13 Deuteronomy 4:47 Deuteronomy 29:7 Deuteronomy 31:4 Joshua 2:10 Joshua 9:10 Joshua 12:4 Joshua 13:12 Joshua 13:30 Joshua 13:31 1 Kings 4:19 Nehemiah 9:22 Psalm 135:11 Psalm 136:20 22 Occurrences |
    |