Deuteronomy Chapter 3

“Then we turned and went up the way to Bashan, etc.] Which seems to have been higher than the kingdom of Sihon: this was a fine country for pasturage, for the breeding of cattle, larger and lesser, and was famous for its oaks: it is the same country which in Josephus and others goes by the name of Batanea: and Og the king of Bashan came out against us; got his forces together, and came out from Ashteroth, the royal city where he dwelt: he and all his people, to battle at Edrei; another city in his kingdom, about six miles from the former; (see <050104>Deuteronomy 1:4 <042133>Numbers 21:33).”

“CONQUEST OF OG, KING OF BASHAN. (Deu. 3:1-20) we turned, and went up the way to Bashan--Bashan ("fruitful" or "flat"), now El-Bottein, lay situated to the north of Gilead and extended as far as Hermon. It was a rugged mountainous country, valuable however for its rich and luxuriant pastures. Og the king of Bashan came out against us--Without provocation, he rushed to attack the Israelites, either disliking the presence of such dangerous neighbors, or burning to avenge the overthrow of his friends and allies.”

“Threescore cities - Probably the cities of Jair in Bashan described in Deuteronomy 3:14 as Bashan-havoth-jair. All the region of Argob - The Hebrew word here rendered “region,” means literally “rope” or “cable”; and though undoubtedly used elsewhere in a general topographical sense for portion or district (e. g. Joshua 17:5), has a special propriety in reference to Argob (mod. Lejah). The name Argob means “stone-heap,” and is paraphrased by the Targums, Trachonitis Luke 3:1, or “the rough country;” titles designating the more striking features of the district. Its borders are compared to a rugged shore-line;…”

“On this side Jordan - So it was when Moses wrote this book; but afterward when Israel passed over Jordan it was called the land beyond Jordan. Deuteronomy 3:9”

“3:1-11 See Num 21:33-35.”

“Bashan: Bashan, one of the most fertile districts of the Holy Land, was bounded on the west by the Jordan and lake of Gennesareth, on the east by Trachonitis, on the south by the brook Jabbok, and on the north by mount Hermon; and seems to have been composed of two or three districts, on the south the land of Gilead, on the north the region of Argob, and east of both, the plain of Hauran. (See note on Deu 3:13, see note on Deu 3:14, and see note on Deu 3:15.) The scenery of this elevated tract is described by Mr. Buckingham as extremely beautiful. its plains covered with a fertile soil; its hills covered with…”

“The Help of God in the Conquest of the Kingdom of Og of Bashan. - Deu 3:1. After the defeat of king Sihon and the conquest of his land, the Israelites were able to advance to the Jordan. But as the powerful Amoritish king Og still held the northern half of Gilead and all Bashan, they proceeded northwards at once and took the road to Bashan, that they might also defeat this king, whom the Lord had likewise given into their hand, and conquer his country (cf. Num 21:33-34). They smote him at Edrei, the modern Dra, without leaving him even a remnant; and took all his towns, i.e., as is here more fully stated in Deu…”