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Deuteronomy 3:11 - Giant king's iron bed remains

Deuteronomy 3:11 - דברים 3:11

Hebrew Text

כִּי רַק־עוֹג מֶלֶךְ הַבָּשָׁן נִשְׁאַר מִיֶּתֶר הָרְפָאִים הִנֵּה עַרְשׂוֹ עֶרֶשׂ בַּרְזֶל הֲלֹה הִוא בְּרַבַּת בְּנֵי עַמּוֹן תֵּשַׁע אַמּוֹת אָרְכָּהּ וְאַרְבַּע אַמּוֹת רָחְבָּהּ בְּאַמַּת־אִישׁ׃

English Translation

For only ῾Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of the Refa᾽im; behold, his bed is a bed of iron; is it not in Rabba of the children of ῾Ammon? nine cubits is the length of it, and four cubits the breadth of it, after the cubit of a man.

Transliteration

Ki rak-og melekh habashan nish'ar miyeter harfa'im hine arso eres barzel halo hi b'rabat b'nei amon tesha amot arkha v'arba amot rakhav b'amat-ish.

Hebrew Leining Text

כִּ֣י רַק־ע֞וֹג מֶ֣לֶךְ הַבָּשָׁ֗ן נִשְׁאַר֮ מִיֶּ֣תֶר הָרְפָאִים֒ הִנֵּ֤ה עַרְשׂוֹ֙ עֶ֣רֶשׂ בַּרְזֶ֔ל הֲלֹ֣ה הִ֔וא בְּרַבַּ֖ת בְּנֵ֣י עַמּ֑וֹן תֵּ֧שַׁע אַמּ֣וֹת אׇרְכָּ֗הּ וְאַרְבַּ֥ע אַמּ֛וֹת רׇחְבָּ֖הּ בְּאַמַּת־אִֽישׁ׃
כִּ֣י רַק־ע֞וֹג מֶ֣לֶךְ הַבָּשָׁ֗ן נִשְׁאַר֮ מִיֶּ֣תֶר הָרְפָאִים֒ הִנֵּ֤ה עַרְשׂוֹ֙ עֶ֣רֶשׂ בַּרְזֶ֔ל הֲלֹ֣ה הִ֔וא בְּרַבַּ֖ת בְּנֵ֣י עַמּ֑וֹן תֵּ֧שַׁע אַמּ֣וֹת אׇרְכָּ֗הּ וְאַרְבַּ֥ע אַמּ֛וֹת רׇחְבָּ֖הּ בְּאַמַּת־אִֽישׁ׃

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Parasha Commentary

The Significance of Og's Bed

The verse describes Og, king of Bashan, as the last remnant of the Refa'im (giants), emphasizing his enormous size through the dimensions of his iron bed. Rashi (Devarim 3:11) explains that the mention of Og's bed serves as a testament to his immense stature and strength, reinforcing the miraculous nature of his defeat by Bnei Yisrael. The bed, measuring nine cubits in length and four cubits in width (approximately 13.5 feet by 6 feet, using the standard ammat ish), was preserved in Rabba of Ammon as a public display of Hashem's power in overcoming even the mightiest foes.

Og's Identity and the Rephaim

Og is identified as one of the last remaining Refa'im, a race of giants mentioned in Bereishit 14:5. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 26:7) suggests that the Refa'im were descendants of the Nephilim, known for their extraordinary size and strength. Ramban (Devarim 3:11) notes that Og's survival from earlier generations (possibly since the time of Avraham) highlights his longevity and the divine providence in preserving him until his defeat by Moshe and Bnei Yisrael.

The Symbolism of the Iron Bed

  • Iron as a Symbol of Strength: The bed being made of iron (עֶרֶשׂ בַּרְזֶל) underscores Og's fearsome nature. The Talmud (Niddah 24b) associates iron with durability and invincibility, suggesting that Og's bed was a symbol of his perceived indestructibility.
  • A Display of Divine Intervention: The preservation of the bed in Ammon served as a reminder that even the most formidable enemies fall before Hashem's will. Rashi (Devarim 3:11) explains that this was a public testimony to future generations of Hashem's miracles.

Historical and Moral Lessons

The mention of Og's bed is not merely a historical detail but carries moral and theological significance. The Sforno (Devarim 3:11) teaches that this account reminds Bnei Yisrael of their dependence on Hashem's help, as no human strength alone could have defeated such a giant. Additionally, the Talmud (Berachot 54b) includes Og's defeat among the miracles for which one must recite a blessing, emphasizing the importance of recognizing divine intervention in history.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Niddah 24b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the size of Og, king of Bashan, and his bed, illustrating his enormous stature.
📖 Berakhot 54b
The verse is mentioned in the context of discussing miracles performed for the Israelites, including the defeat of Og, king of Bashan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who was Og, the king of Bashan?
A: Og was a giant king from the Rephaim, a race of giants mentioned in the Torah. According to the Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 26:7), he survived the flood by clinging to Noah's ark. His enormous size is highlighted by the description of his iron bed in this verse.
Q: Why does the Torah mention Og's iron bed?
A: The Torah mentions Og's iron bed (Devarim 3:11) to emphasize his immense size and strength, showing how formidable an enemy he was. Rashi explains that the bed's dimensions (9 cubits long and 4 cubits wide) were meant to illustrate his giant stature, making the Israelite victory over him a clear miracle from Hashem.
Q: Where was Og's bed located, and why is that important?
A: The verse states that Og's bed was in Rabbah of the Ammonites. According to Rashi, this detail proves that the Israelites conquered lands beyond the Jordan, including Bashan, demonstrating Hashem's fulfillment of His promise to give them the land. The bed served as a public reminder of Og's defeat.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Og's story?
A: Og's story teaches that no enemy, no matter how powerful, can stand against Hashem's will. The Talmud (Niddah 61a) mentions that Moshe feared Og because of his legendary strength, but Hashem assured victory. This reminds us to trust in Hashem even when facing seemingly insurmountable challenges.
Q: How big was a 'cubit of a man' in Og's time?
A: A 'cubit of a man' (Devarim 3:11) refers to the standard cubit measurement based on an average person's forearm length (approx. 18-24 inches). Og's bed being 9 cubits long (about 13.5-18 feet) highlights his unnatural size, as noted by Rambam (Hilchot Beit HaBechirah 6:2) regarding biblical measurements.