Overview:
Edrei is a significant location mentioned in the Old Testament, primarily associated with the conquests of the Israelites under the leadership of Moses. It is one of the two royal cities of Bashan, the other being Ashtaroth, and is noted for its connection to King Og of Bashan. The city holds historical and theological importance as a testament to God's deliverance and the fulfillment of His promises to the Israelites.

Biblical References:
Edrei is first mentioned in the context of the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land. In Numbers 21:33-35 , the narrative describes how the Israelites, after defeating Sihon king of the Amorites, turned their attention to Bashan. "Then they turned and went up along the road to Bashan, and Og king of Bashan came out against them with his whole army to fight at Edrei. But the LORD said to Moses, 'Do not be afraid of him, for I have delivered him into your hand, along with his whole army and his land. Do to him what you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon.' So they struck him down, along with his sons and his whole army, until no remnant was left to him. And they took possession of his land."

In Deuteronomy 3:1-3 , Moses recounts the victory over Og: "Then we turned and went up the road to Bashan, and Og king of Bashan came out against us with his whole army to fight at Edrei. But the LORD said to me, 'Do not be afraid of him, for I have delivered him into your hand, along with his whole army and his land. Do to him what you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon.' So the LORD our God also delivered Og king of Bashan and his whole army into our hands. We struck them down, leaving no survivors."

Historical and Geographical Context:
Edrei was located in the region of Bashan, east of the Jordan River, an area known for its fertile land and strong fortifications. The city was strategically important due to its position and its role as a royal city. The defeat of Og at Edrei marked a significant victory for the Israelites, as it demonstrated God's power and faithfulness in delivering formidable enemies into their hands.

Theological Significance:
The conquest of Edrei is emblematic of God's promise to give the Israelites the land of Canaan. It underscores the theme of divine intervention and the fulfillment of God's covenant with His people. The victory at Edrei, along with other conquests, served to build the faith of the Israelites as they prepared to enter the Promised Land.

Legacy:
Edrei's legacy is preserved in the biblical narrative as a symbol of God's might and the triumph of His people over seemingly insurmountable odds. The account of Edrei continues to inspire believers with its message of trust in God's promises and His ability to deliver His people from their enemies.Edrei

a very great mass, or cloud

Edrei

(stronghold).

1. One of the two capital cities of Bashan, in the territory of Manasseh east of the Jordan. (Numbers 21:33; 1:4; 3:10; Joshua 12:4) In Scripture it is only mentioned in connection with the victory gained by the Israelites over the Amorites under Og their king, and the territory thus acquired. The ruins of this ancient city, still bearing the name Edra , stand on a rocky promontory which projects from the southwest corner of the Lejah. The ruins are nearly three miles in circumference, and have a strange, wild, look, rising up in dark, shattered masses from the midst of a wilderness of black rocks.
2. A town of northern Palestine, allotted to the tribe of Naphtali, and situated near Kedesh. (Joshua 19:37) About two miles south of Kedesh is a conical rocky hill called Tell Khuraibeh , the "tell of the ruin," which may be the site of Edrei.

Edrei

One of the capitals of Bashan, near which Og and his forces were destroyed, Numbers 21:33-35 De 1:4 3:1-3. It afterwards fell within the limits of Manasseh, Joshua 13:31. Its ruins cover a large space; it was a place of some note in the early ages of Christianity and in the era of the crusades. It is now called Draa, and lies about thirty-five miles east of the outlet of the Sea of Galilee.

Mighty; strength.

(1.) One of the chief towns of the kingdom of Bashan (Joshua 12:4, 5). Here Og was defeated by the Israelites, and the strength of the Amorites broken (Numbers 21:33-35). It subsequently belonged to Manasseh, for a short time apparently, and afterwards became the abode of banditti and outlaws (Joshua 13:31). It has been identified with the modern Edr'a, which stands on a rocky promontory on the south-west edge of the Lejah (the Argob of the Hebrews, and Trachonitis of the Greeks). The ruins of Edr'a are the most extensive in the Hauran. They are 3 miles in circumference. A number of the ancient houses still remain; the walls, roofs, and doors being all of stone. The wild region of which Edrei was the capital is thus described in its modern aspect: "Elevated about 20 feet above the plain, it is a labyrinth of clefts and crevasses in the rock, formed by volcanic action; and owing to its impenetrable condition, it has become a refuge for outlaws and turbulent characters, who make it a sort of Cave of Adullam...It is, in fact, an impregnable natural fortress, about 20 miles in length and 15 in breadth" (Porter's Syria, etc.). Beneath this wonderful city there is also a subterranean city, hollowed out probably as a refuge for the population of the upper city in times of danger. (see BASHAN.)

(2.) A town of Naphtali (Joshua 19:37).

EDREI

ed'-re-i ('edhre`i; Edra-ein):

(1) One of the cities of Og, not far from Ashtaroth, where the power of his kingdom received its deathblow from the invading Israelites (Joshua 12:4 Numbers 21:33, etc.). It seems to mark the western limit of Bashan as against Salecah on the East (Deuteronomy 3:10). It was given to Machir, son of Manasseh (Joshua 13:31). Eusebius, Onomasticon places it 24 Roman miles from Bostra. The most probable identification is with Der`ah, a town of between 4,000 and 5,000 inhabitants, on the southern lip of Wady Zeideh, about 29 miles as the crow flies East of the Sea of Galilee. It is the center of an exceedingly fruitful district. The accumulated rubbish in the town covers many remains of antiquity. It is, however, chiefly remarkable for the extraordinary subterranean city, as yet only partially explored, cut in the rock under the town. This is certainly very ancient, and was doubtless used by the inhabitants as a refuge in times of stress and peril. For a description see Schumacher, Across the Jordan, 121.

(2) A place not identified, between Kedesh and En-hazor (Joshua 19:37).

W. Ewing

154. Edrei -- a chief city of Bashan, also a place in Naphtali
... 153, 154. Edrei. 155 . a chief city of Bashan, also a place in Naphtali.
Transliteration: Edrei Phonetic Spelling: (ed-reh'-ee) Short Definition: Edrei. ...
/hebrew/154.htm - 6k

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... the desert of Damascus, in the districts frequented by Bedouin of the tribe of Terah,
Ammon and Moab, on the rivers Yarmuk and Jabbok, and at Edrei and Heshbon ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

Edrei (8 Occurrences)
... The wild region of which Edrei was the capital is thus described in its modern aspect:
"Elevated about 20 feet above the plain, it is a labyrinth of clefts and ...
/e/edrei.htm - 11k

Ed're-i (8 Occurrences)
Ed're-i. Edrei, Ed're-i. Educated . Multi-Version Concordance
Ed're-i (8 Occurrences). Numbers 21:33 They turned and went up by ...
/e/ed're-i.htm - 8k

Og (22 Occurrences)
... Gigantic, the king of Bashan, who was defeated by Moses in a pitched battle at Edrei,
and was slain along with his sons (Deuteronomy 1:4), and whose kingdom ...
/o/og.htm - 17k

Ash'taroth (12 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 1:4 after he had smitten Sihon the king of the Amorites, who dwelt in
Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, who dwelt in Ashtaroth, at Edrei; (See RSV ...
/a/ash'taroth.htm - 10k

Bashan (54 Occurrences)
... Joshua 13:11). In Deuteronomy 3:10 Salecah and Edrei seem to indicate the
East and West limits respectively. This would agree with ...
/b/bashan.htm - 32k

Ashtaroth (13 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 1:4 after he had struck Sihon the king of the Amorites, who lived in
Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, who lived in Ashtaroth, at Edrei. ...
/a/ashtaroth.htm - 17k

Reigned (206 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 1:4 after he had smitten Sihon the king of the Amorites, who dwelt in
Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, who dwelt in Ashtaroth, at Edrei; (See NIV ...
/r/reigned.htm - 37k

Reph'aim (17 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Joshua 12:4 and the border of Og king of Bashan, of the remnant of
the Rephaim, who dwelt at Ashtaroth and at Edrei, (See RSV). ...
/r/reph'aim.htm - 11k

Rephaites (10 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Joshua 12:4 and the border of Og king of Bashan, of the remnant of
the Rephaim, who dwelt at Ashtaroth and at Edrei, (See NIV). ...
/r/rephaites.htm - 9k

Residue (47 Occurrences)
... Joshua 12:4 and the territory of Og the king of Bashan, of the residue
of the giants, who dwelt at Ashtaroth and at Edrei, (DBY). ...
/r/residue.htm - 24k

Who was Og king of Bashan? | GotQuestions.org

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