King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 3:11 Mean?

Deuteronomy 3:11 in the King James Version says “For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of giants; behold, his bedstead was a bedstead of iron; is it not in ... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of giants; behold, his bedstead was a bedstead of iron; is it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon? nine cubits was the length thereof, and four cubits the breadth of it, after the cubit of a man.

Deuteronomy 3:11 · KJV


Context

9

( Which Hermon the Sidonians call Sirion; and the Amorites call it Shenir;)

10

All the cities of the plain, and all Gilead, and all Bashan, unto Salchah and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan.

11

For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of giants; behold, his bedstead was a bedstead of iron; is it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon? nine cubits was the length thereof, and four cubits the breadth of it, after the cubit of a man.

12

And this land, which we possessed at that time, from Aroer, which is by the river Arnon, and half mount Gilead, and the cities thereof, gave I unto the Reubenites and to the Gadites.

13

And the rest of Gilead, and all Bashan, being the kingdom of Og, gave I unto the half tribe of Manasseh; all the region of Argob, with all Bashan, which was called the land of giants.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The parenthetical note about Og's bedstead—'only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of giants'—highlights his exceptional size and the magnitude of Israel's victory. The iron bedstead measuring 'nine cubits... in length' (13.5 feet) was preserved in Rabbath as physical evidence. Archaeological detail grounds the narrative in history, showing this wasn't mythology but actual events. God's power over impressive physical obstacles testifies to His sovereignty.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Rephaim (giants) were ancient peoples of exceptional stature mentioned throughout Scripture. Og represented the last significant remnant of these peoples. The iron bedstead's preservation in Rabbath (Ammon's capital) served as a physical monument to God's deliverance, much like Goliath's sword kept as a memorial (1 Samuel 21:9).

Reflection Questions

  1. What physical reminders of God's past victories can you preserve to strengthen future faith?
  2. How do you respond when facing challenges that seem larger than life?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
כִּ֣י1 of 25
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

רַק2 of 25
H7535

properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although

ע֞וֹג3 of 25

For only Og

H5747

og, a king of bashan

מֶ֣לֶךְ4 of 25

king

H4428

a king

הַבָּשָׁ֗ן5 of 25

of Bashan

H1316

bashan (often with the article), a region east of the jordan

נִשְׁאַר֮6 of 25

remained

H7604

properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant

מִיֶּ֣תֶר7 of 25

of the remnant

H3499

properly, an overhanging, i.e., (by implication) a small rope (as hanging free)

הָֽרְפָאִים֒8 of 25

of giants

H7497

a giant

הִנֵּ֤ה9 of 25
H2009

lo!

עֶ֣רֶשׂ10 of 25

behold his bedstead

H6210

a couch (properly, with a canopy)

עֶ֣רֶשׂ11 of 25

behold his bedstead

H6210

a couch (properly, with a canopy)

בַּרְזֶ֔ל12 of 25

of iron

H1270

iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement

הֲלֹ֣ה13 of 25

is it not

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

הִ֔וא14 of 25
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

בְּרַבַּ֖ת15 of 25

in Rabbath

H7237

rabbah, the name of two places in palestine, east and west

בְּנֵ֣י16 of 25

of the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

עַמּ֑וֹן17 of 25

of Ammon

H5983

ammon, a son of lot; also his posterity and their country

תֵּ֧שַׁע18 of 25

nine

H8672

nine or (ordinal) ninth

בְּאַמַּת19 of 25

cubits

H520

properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)

אָרְכָּ֗הּ20 of 25

was the length

H753

length

וְאַרְבַּ֥ע21 of 25

thereof and four

H702

four

בְּאַמַּת22 of 25

cubits

H520

properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)

רָחְבָּ֖הּ23 of 25

the breadth

H7341

width (literally or figuratively)

בְּאַמַּת24 of 25

cubits

H520

properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)

אִֽישׁ׃25 of 25

of a man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 3:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 3:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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