What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 3:11? For only Og king of Bashan had remained • Moses recalls the recent victories east of the Jordan (Deuteronomy 3:1–8). • Og’s survival underscores that Israel had already defeated Sihon (Numbers 21:21–24) and now faced the last formidable foe. • The statement highlights God’s faithfulness to His promise that “no man will be able to stand before you” (Deuteronomy 2:25; Joshua 1:5). of the remnant of the Rephaim • The Rephaim were a race of exceptionally large warriors (Genesis 14:5; Deuteronomy 2:10-11). • Only a “remnant” was left after earlier judgments, showing that God had already begun clearing the land (Genesis 15:18-20). • God’s people need not fear even the greatest human strength because He has already declared victory (Psalm 118:6; Romans 8:31). His bed of iron • Iron symbolized unmatched durability and power (Deuteronomy 33:25). • Mentioning the bed, not a throne, stresses Og’s sheer size rather than royal status. • Israel’s God overcame iron chariots in Canaan (Joshua 17:18), so an iron bed is no barrier to Him. nine cubits long and four cubits wide • A cubit (from elbow to fingertip) runs about 18 inches, making the bed roughly 13 ½ × 6 feet. • The dimensions verify Og’s extraordinary stature, comparable to Goliath’s later appearance (1 Samuel 17:4-7). • God’s people conquered him anyway, proving “the battle is the LORD’s” (1 Samuel 17:47). is still in Rabbah of the Ammonites • Moses points to a visible artifact in Ammonite territory, inviting verification by future readers (Joshua 13:25). • The untouched bed served as a lasting testimony to God’s deeds, much like the twelve stones at the Jordan (Joshua 4:7). • Rabbah later fell to David (2 Samuel 12:26-29), showing that God’s sovereignty extends beyond Israel’s immediate borders. summary Deuteronomy 3:11 records tangible proof of God’s supremacy: the last giant of Bashan was defeated, his massive iron bed stood on display, and every detail validated the Lord’s promise to give Israel the land. This verse reassures believers that no opponent—no matter how imposing—can withstand the God who keeps His word. |
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