King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 4:47 Mean?

Deuteronomy 4:47 in the King James Version says “And they possessed his land, and the land of Og king of Bashan, two kings of the Amorites, which were on this side Jorda...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And they possessed his land, and the land of Og king of Bashan, two kings of the Amorites, which were on this side Jordan toward the sunrising ;”

Deuteronomy 4:47 · KJV

Context

45

These are the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which Moses spake unto the children of Israel, after they came forth out of Egypt,

46

On this side Jordan, in the valley over against Bethpeor, in the land of Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt at Heshbon, whom Moses and the children of Israel smote, after they were come forth out of Egypt:

47

And they possessed his land, and the land of Og king of Bashan, two kings of the Amorites, which were on this side Jordan toward the sunrising ;

48

From Aroer, which is by the bank of the river Arnon, even unto mount Sion, which is Hermon,

49

And all the plain on this side Jordan eastward, even unto the sea of the plain, under the springs of Pisgah.

Read Deuteronomy 4 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And they possessed his land, and the land of Og king of Bashan, two kings of the Amorites, which were on this side Jordan toward the sunrising.

Moses summarizes trans-Jordan conquest: Israel possessed (vayyireshu, וַיִּירְשׁוּ) the territories of both Sihon and Og, shenei malkhei ha'Emori (שְׁנֵי מַלְכֵי הָאֱמֹרִי, 'two kings of the Amorites'). The verb yarash implies not merely military victory but actual dispossession and inheritance—the conquered land became Israel's permanent possession.

These were not minor tribal chieftains. Sihon controlled the southern trans-Jordan from the Arnon to the Jabbok; Og ruled Bashan in the north, a giant of a man (Deuteronomy 3:11) whose kingdom included sixty fortified cities. Their combined territories covered substantial agricultural and pastoral land. Their defeat eliminated any rival power east of the Jordan.

The phrase mizrach hashemesh (מִזְרַח הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ, 'toward the rising of the sun') again specifies eastern orientation. From Israel's perspective on Moab's plains, the sun rose over the conquered territories. This directional marker creates geographical precision while subtly suggesting new beginnings—where the sun rises, Israel's inheritance dawns. What God began with Sihon and Og He will complete across the Jordan.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Moses recalls the conquest of both Sihon and Og, the two Amorite kings ruling east of the Jordan. These victories (Numbers 21:21-35; Deuteronomy 2-3), occurring just weeks or months before this speech around 1406 BC, provided tangible proof that God would fulfill His promise to give Israel the land despite enemy military superiority.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do past victories over seemingly impossible obstacles serve as evidence that God will complete His work in your life?
  2. What does Israel's possession of conquered territory teach about the relationship between God's sovereign gift and human responsibility to receive it?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַיִּֽירְשׁ֨וּ1 of 16

“And they possessed”

H3423

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish

אֶת2 of 16
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֶ֣רֶץ׀3 of 16

“and the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וְאֶת4 of 16
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֶ֣רֶץ׀5 of 16

“and the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

ע֣וֹג6 of 16

“of Og”

H5747

og, a king of bashan

מַלְכֵ֣י7 of 16

“king”

H4428

a king

הַבָּשָׁ֗ן8 of 16

“of Bashan”

H1316

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

שְׁנֵי֙9 of 16

“two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

מַלְכֵ֣י10 of 16

“king”

H4428

a king

הָֽאֱמֹרִ֔י11 of 16

“of the Amorites”

H567

an emorite, one of the canaanitish tribes

אֲשֶׁ֖ר12 of 16
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בְּעֵ֣בֶר13 of 16

“which were on this side”

H5676

properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the jordan; ususally meaning

הַיַּרְדֵּ֑ן14 of 16

“Jordan”

H3383

jarden, the principal river of palestine

מִזְרַ֖ח15 of 16

“toward the sunrising”

H4217

sunrise, i.e., the east

שָֽׁמֶשׁ׃16 of 16
H8121

the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement

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 4:47 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 4:47 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 21:33-35Deuteronomy 3:1-14Deuteronomy 29:7-8

Places in This Verse

BashanRegion · Modern: Saham al Jawlan · 32.78°N, 35.93°E53 verses across 15 books
JordanRiver · Modern: Jordan River · 31.76°N, 35.56°E202 verses across 21 books
View all places in Deuteronomy 4 →

Test Your Knowledge

Deuteronomy 4 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterDeuteronomy Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Deuteronomy 4 with CommentaryAll Deuteronomy ChaptersComplete Deuteronomy QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes