King James Version

What Does Numbers 21:34 Mean?

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.

Numbers 21:34 · KJV


Context

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Before battling Og king of Bashan, God reassures Moses 'Fear him not: for I have delivered him into thy hand.' The perfect tense 'have delivered' indicates completed action before battle commenced, showing divine sovereignty accomplishing victory before human participation. Og's great stature (Deuteronomy 3:11) made fear understandable, yet God's promise made courage possible.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Og was one of the last Rephaim (giants), whose iron bed was over 13 feet long (Deuteronomy 3:11). His defeat demonstrated God's power to overcome even the most intimidating enemies, fulfilling the promise that giants wouldn't prevent Israel's inheritance.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does remembering God's past victories provide courage for present battles?
  2. What 'giants' in your life seem intimidating until you remember God's promise of victory?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר1 of 26

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֤ה2 of 26

And the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֶל3 of 26
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מֹשֶׁה֙4 of 26

unto Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

אַל5 of 26
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּירָ֣א6 of 26

Fear

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

אֹת֔וֹ7 of 26
H853

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

כִּ֣י8 of 26
H3588

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

בְיָֽדְךָ֞9 of 26

him into thy hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

נָתַ֧תִּי10 of 26

him not for I have delivered

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֹת֛וֹ11 of 26
H853

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

וְאֶת12 of 26
H853

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

כָּל13 of 26
H3605

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

עַמּ֖וֹ14 of 26

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

וְאֶת15 of 26
H853

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

אַרְצ֑וֹ16 of 26

and his land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

עָשִׂ֗יתָ17 of 26

and thou shalt do

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לּ֔וֹ18 of 26
H0
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר19 of 26
H834

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

עָשִׂ֗יתָ20 of 26

and thou shalt do

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לְסִיחֹן֙21 of 26

unto Sihon

H5511

sichon, an amoritish king

מֶ֣לֶךְ22 of 26

king

H4428

a king

הָֽאֱמֹרִ֔י23 of 26

of the Amorites

H567

an emorite, one of the canaanitish tribes

אֲשֶׁ֥ר24 of 26
H834

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

יוֹשֵׁ֖ב25 of 26

which dwelt

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בְּחֶשְׁבּֽוֹן׃26 of 26

at Heshbon

H2809

cheshbon, a place east of the jordan


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 21:34 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 21:34 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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