What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 3:10? All the cities of the plateau Deuteronomy 3:10 opens by noting that Israel captured “all the cities of the plateau.” Scripture is telling us the victory was total, comprehensive, and without omission. • Joshua 13:9–10, repeats the same sweep: “the towns of the plain and all the kingdom of Sihon.” • In Numbers 21:24–25 the Lord had already granted Israel the earlier conquest of Sihon’s towns; this new verse shows Him finishing what He started. • The plateau (or “plain”) stretched east of the Jordan, so the statement underlines God’s faithfulness to give every inch He had promised (Genesis 15:18–21). All of Gilead Next Moses mentions “all of Gilead,” the fertile hill country just north of the Jabbok River. • For Reuben and Gad, this was prime pastureland (Numbers 32:1–5). What God grants He also equips, matching land to need. • In Joshua 22:4, Moses’ successor later reminds the two tribes that their inheritance in Gilead was a gift of “rest” by the LORD. • The phrase “all of Gilead” stresses completeness again: the Covenant-keeper withholds nothing from those who follow Him (Psalm 84:11). All of Bashan Bashan lay still farther north, renowned for its lush grazing and mighty oaks (Psalm 22:12; Ezekiel 27:6). • The territory would become the allotment of half-tribe Manasseh (Joshua 13:29–31). • Deuteronomy 33:22 celebrates this endowment: “Dan is a lion’s cub, leaping out of Bashan,” picturing strength and abundance. • By recording “all of Bashan,” Moses makes clear that God’s dominion reaches as far as human maps can draw—and farther (Psalm 24:1). As far as Salecah Salecah marked the remote eastern border of Bashan (see Joshua 12:5). • Mentioning it shows the extent of Israel’s advance; no corner lay outside the divine pledge (Exodus 23:31). • Centuries later, 1 Chronicles 5:11 notes that Gadites still lived “in the land of Bashan as far as Salecah,” a standing testimony to God’s enduring allocation. And Edrei Edrei, one of Og’s royal cities, stood on the western edge (Joshua 12:4). • The twin listing of Salecah (east) and Edrei (west) brackets the whole region, an ancient way of saying “from coast to coast.” • Psalm 136:17-20 praises the LORD “who struck down great kings… and Og king of Bashan,” reminding worshipers that even fortress cities cannot thwart God. In the kingdom of Og Og was the last of the Rephaim, a towering figure whose iron bed symbolized invincibility (Deuteronomy 3:11). Yet he fell quickly before the LORD. • Numbers 21:33-35 records God’s promise: “Do not fear him, for I have delivered him into your hand.” Deuteronomy 3:10 reports the fulfillment. • The victory over Og became a perennial faith-builder (Psalm 135:10-12), proving that no human power outmatches the Almighty. summary Deuteronomy 3:10 piles up place-names to paint one clear picture: God kept His word down to the last city, the farthest border, the mightiest king. From the plateau to Gilead, from fertile Bashan to the boundary towns of Salecah and Edrei, every promise stood firm. The verse calls believers to trust the same faithful God—He is still thorough, still generous, and still undefeated. |
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