King James Version

What Does Joshua 13:12 Mean?

Joshua 13:12 in the King James Version says “All the kingdom of Og in Bashan, which reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei, who remained of the remnant of the giants: for...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“All the kingdom of Og in Bashan, which reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei, who remained of the remnant of the giants: for these did Moses smite, and cast them out.”

Joshua 13:12 · KJV

Context

10

And all the cities of Sihon king of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, unto the border of the children of Ammon;

11

And Gilead, and the border of the Geshurites and Maachathites, and all mount Hermon, and all Bashan unto Salcah;

12

All the kingdom of Og in Bashan, which reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei, who remained of the remnant of the giants: for these did Moses smite, and cast them out.

13

Nevertheless the children of Israel expelled not the Geshurites, nor the Maachathites: but the Geshurites and the Maachathites dwell among the Israelites until this day.

14

Only unto the tribe of Levi he gave none inheritance; the sacrifices of the LORD God of Israel made by fire are their inheritance, as he said unto them.

Read Joshua 13 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
All the kingdom of Og in Bashan, which reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei, who remained of the remnant of the giants—Og was the last of the Rephaim (רְפָאִים, Repha'im), a race of giant warriors whose bed measured thirteen feet long (Deuteronomy 3:11). His defeat under Moses demonstrated God's power over seemingly invincible foes. Ashtaroth (עַשְׁתָּרוֹת, Ashtarot) was named after the Canaanite fertility goddess, revealing the region's spiritual darkness.

The phrase for these did Moses smite (וַיַּכֵּם מֹשֶׁה, vayakem Moshe) emphasizes completed conquest. Yet verse 13 immediately reveals Israel's failure to fully dispossess these territories. Og's defeat prefigures Christ's victory over spiritual giants—principalities and powers (Colossians 2:15). What Moses began through physical conquest, Christ completed through spiritual triumph, crushing the serpent's head (Genesis 3:15) and destroying death itself (1 Corinthians 15:26).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Og's kingdom in Bashan was renowned for its fortified cities and agricultural wealth. The defeat of the Rephaim—legendary warriors who terrorized the region—became a defining moment in Israel's history, frequently recalled as evidence of God's power (Deuteronomy 3:1-11, Psalm 135:10-11, 136:17-20). Bashan's oak forests and pastures made it prime territory (Ezekiel 27:6, Amos 4:1), explaining why Manasseh's half-tribe desired it.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Moses' defeat of the seemingly invincible Og encourage faith when facing overwhelming obstacles?
  2. What does the association of Og's cities with pagan deities teach about the spiritual warfare underlying physical conquest?
  3. In what ways does Christ's victory over spiritual 'giants' (sin, death, Satan) fulfill and exceed the typological conquest of the Rephaim?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
כָּל1 of 15
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מַמְלְכ֥וּת2 of 15

“All the kingdom”

H4468

dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)

עוֹג֙3 of 15

“of Og”

H5747

og, a king of bashan

בַּבָּשָׁ֔ן4 of 15

“in Bashan”

H1316

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

אֲשֶׁר5 of 15
H834

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

מָלַ֥ךְ6 of 15

“which reigned”

H4427

to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel

בְּעַשְׁתָּר֖וֹת7 of 15

“in Ashtaroth”

H6252

ashtaroth, the name of a sidonian deity, and of a place east of the jordan

וּבְאֶדְרֶ֑עִי8 of 15

“and in Edrei”

H154

edrei, the name of two places in palestine

ה֤וּא9 of 15
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

נִשְׁאַר֙10 of 15

“who remained”

H7604

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

מִיֶּ֣תֶר11 of 15

“of the remnant”

H3499

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

הָֽרְפָאִ֔ים12 of 15

“of the giants”

H7497

a giant

וַיַּכֵּ֥ם13 of 15

“smite”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

מֹשֶׁ֖ה14 of 15

“for these did Moses”

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

וַיֹּֽרִשֵֽׁם׃15 of 15

“and cast them out”

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

Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Joshua 13:12 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 Joshua 13:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joshua 12:4Deuteronomy 3:10-11Joshua 14:3-4Numbers 21:23-35

Places in This Verse

AshtarothSettlement · Modern: Tell Ashtara · 32.80°N, 36.02°E7 verses across 3 books
BashanRegion · Modern: Saham al Jawlan · 32.78°N, 35.93°E53 verses across 15 books
Edrei 1Settlement · Modern: Daraa · 32.63°N, 36.11°E7 verses across 3 books
View all places in Joshua 13 →

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