King James Version

What Does Numbers 21:33 Mean?

Numbers 21:33 in the King James Version says “And they turned and went up by the way of Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan went out against them, he, and all his peopl...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And they turned and went up by the way of Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan went out against them, he, and all his people, to the battle at Edrei.”

Numbers 21:33 · KJV

Context

31

Thus Israel dwelt in the land of the Amorites.

32

And Moses sent to spy out Jaazer, and they took the villages thereof, and drove out the Amorites that were there.

33

And they turned and went up by the way of Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan went out against them, he, and all his people, to the battle at Edrei.

34

And the LORD said unto Moses, Fear him not: for I have delivered him into thy hand, and all his people, and his land; and thou shalt do to him as thou didst unto Sihon king of the Amorites, which dwelt at Heshbon.

35

So they smote him, and his sons, and all his people, until there was none left him alive: and they possessed his land.

Read Numbers 21 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And they turned and went up by the way of Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan went out against them—Og (עוֹג) was the last of the Rephaim (Deuteronomy 3:11), the giant-race that terrified the earlier generation (Numbers 13:33). He, and all his people, to the battle at Edrei (אֶדְרֶעִי, Edre'i)—Og's aggression mirrors Sihon's: both attacked Israel, both were annihilated, both became examples of God's faithfulness.

Og represents unfinished business from Kadesh-barnea—the new generation defeats the giants that paralyzed their fathers. Deuteronomy 3:1-11 expands this narrative, emphasizing Og's size and the psychological terror he should have inspired. Israel's victory over the last Rephaim king proves the wilderness generation died for unbelief, not impossible odds.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Bashan was fertile plateau northeast of the Sea of Galilee, famous for cattle (Psalm 22:12) and oaks (Isaiah 2:13). Edrei was one of Og's royal cities. Archaeological surveys show significant late Bronze Age occupation in this region. Og's iron bed (Deuteronomy 3:11) suggests advanced metallurgy and exceptional physical size.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'Og' in your life represents unfinished fears from past failures that God now calls you to face?
  2. How does the new generation's victory over giants encourage you regarding challenges that defeated previous attempts?
  3. Where might God be positioning you to prove that earlier fears were failures of faith, not impossibility of task?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וַיִּפְנוּ֙1 of 14

“And they turned”

H6437

to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc

וַֽיַּעֲל֔וּ2 of 14

“and went up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

דֶּ֖רֶךְ3 of 14

“by the way”

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

הַבָּשָׁ֨ן4 of 14

“of Bashan”

H1316

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

וַיֵּצֵ֣א5 of 14

“went out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

עוֹג֩6 of 14

“and Og”

H5747

og, a king of bashan

מֶֽלֶךְ7 of 14

“the king”

H4428

a king

הַבָּשָׁ֨ן8 of 14

“of Bashan”

H1316

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

לִקְרָאתָ֜ם9 of 14

“against”

H7125

an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)

ה֧וּא10 of 14
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

וְכָל11 of 14
H3605

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

עַמּ֛וֹ12 of 14

“them he and all his people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

לַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה13 of 14

“to the battle”

H4421

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

אֶדְרֶֽעִי׃14 of 14

“at Edrei”

H154

edrei, the name of two places in palestine

Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Numbers 21:33 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 Numbers 21:33 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joshua 13:12Deuteronomy 1:4Deuteronomy 29:7Deuteronomy 3:1-6Amos 4:1Deuteronomy 32:14

Places in This Verse

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 Numbers 21 →

Test Your Knowledge

Numbers 21 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterNumbers Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Numbers 21 with CommentaryAll Numbers ChaptersComplete Numbers QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes