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Deuteronomy 3:2 - Divine assurance conquers fear.

Deuteronomy 3:2 - דברים 3:2

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֵלַי אַל־תִּירָא אֹתוֹ כִּי בְיָדְךָ נָתַתִּי אֹתוֹ וְאֶת־כָּל־עַמּוֹ וְאֶת־אַרְצוֹ וְעָשִׂיתָ לּוֹ כַּאֲשֶׁר עָשִׂיתָ לְסִיחֹן מֶלֶךְ הָאֱמֹרִי אֲשֶׁר יוֹשֵׁב בְּחֶשְׁבּוֹן׃

English Translation

And the Lord said to me, Fear him not: for I will deliver him, and all his people, and his land, into thy hand; and thou shalt do to him as thou didst to Siĥon king of the Emori, who dwelt at Ḥeshbon.

Transliteration

Vayomer Adonai elay al-tira oto ki v'yadekha natati oto v'et-kol-amo v'et-artzo v'asita lo ka'asher asita l'Sichon melech ha'Emori asher yoshev b'Cheshbon.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהֹוָ֤ה אֵלַי֙ אַל־תִּירָ֣א אֹת֔וֹ כִּ֣י בְיָדְךָ֞ נָתַ֧תִּי אֹת֛וֹ וְאֶת־כׇּל־עַמּ֖וֹ וְאֶת־אַרְצ֑וֹ וְעָשִׂ֣יתָ לּ֔וֹ כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשִׂ֗יתָ לְסִיחֹן֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ הָֽאֱמֹרִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר יוֹשֵׁ֖ב בְּחֶשְׁבּֽוֹן׃
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהֹוָ֤ה אֵלַי֙ אַל־תִּירָ֣א אֹת֔וֹ כִּ֣י בְיָדְךָ֞ נָתַ֧תִּי אֹת֛וֹ וְאֶת־כׇּל־עַמּ֖וֹ וְאֶת־אַרְצ֑וֹ וְעָשִׂ֣יתָ לּ֔וֹ כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשִׂ֗יתָ לְסִיחֹן֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ הָֽאֱמֹרִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר יוֹשֵׁ֖ב בְּחֶשְׁבּֽוֹן׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Devarim 3:2) appears in Moshe's recounting of the battles against the Emorite kings, Sichon and Og, before Bnei Yisrael entered Eretz Yisrael. Hashem reassures Moshe not to fear Og, king of Bashan, promising victory just as He granted against Sichon.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Devarim 3:2) explains that Moshe indeed feared Og due to a tradition (Midrash Tanchuma) that Og was the last survivor of the Refaim (giants) and had once helped Avraham by informing him of Lot's capture (Bereishit 14:13). Moshe worried that Og's merit might protect him. However, Hashem assured Moshe that Og's intentions were impure—he only informed Avraham hoping he would die in battle so Og could marry Sarah.

Rambam on Divine Assurance

Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 7:1) derives from this verse that a Jewish king must not fear battle when going to war for a mitzvah (like conquering Eretz Yisrael), as Hashem promises victory. The phrase "אַל־תִּירָא אֹתוֹ" ("Fear him not") establishes this principle of bitachon (trust in Hashem) during milchemet mitzvah.

Midrashic Insights

  • Og's Longevity: Midrash Aggadah (Devarim 3:11) states Og lived from the time of the Mabul (Flood) until Moshe's era, emphasizing his giant stature and why his defeat demonstrated Hashem's power.
  • Parallel to Sichon: The comparison to Sichon (Devarim 3:6) teaches that both kings were equally powerful, yet Bnei Yisrael triumphed through divine intervention (Sifrei Devarim 26).

Halachic Implications

The Chatam Sofer (Torat Moshe, Devarim) notes that the phrase "כִּי בְיָדְךָ נָתַתִּי" ("for I will deliver him into thy hand") implies that military success depends on Hashem's will, not human strength alone. This aligns with the principle in Tehillim 33:16-17 that victory is not determined by army size.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'Fear him not' mean in Deuteronomy 3:2?
A: In Deuteronomy 3:2, Hashem tells Moshe not to fear Og, the king of Bashan, because Hashem would deliver him into Moshe's hands. Rashi explains that Moshe was concerned because Og was a giant and had a long lifespan, but Hashem reassured him that victory was guaranteed.
Q: Why did Hashem compare Og to Sihon in Deuteronomy 3:2?
A: Hashem compared Og to Sihon, the Amorite king, to reassure Moshe that just as he had successfully defeated Sihon (as described earlier in Deuteronomy 2), he would also defeat Og. The Midrash teaches that this comparison was meant to strengthen Moshe's confidence in Hashem's promise.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Deuteronomy 3:2 about facing challenges?
A: Deuteronomy 3:2 teaches us to trust in Hashem's protection when facing challenges. Even when obstacles seem overwhelming (like Og, the giant king), Hashem assures us that He is in control. The Rambam emphasizes that true bitachon (trust in Hashem) means relying on Him while still making the necessary hishtadlus (effort).
Q: How does the victory over Og apply to our lives today?
A: The victory over Og reminds us that Hashem helps us overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges when we follow His will. The Talmud (Berachos 54b) teaches that we recite blessings for miracles, showing that Hashem's intervention in battles like Og's defeat is a model for recognizing His hand in our personal struggles.
Q: Why was Og specifically mentioned as living in Heshbon?
A: Og is connected to Heshbon because Sihon, the previous king, had ruled there before being defeated by Israel. Rashi notes that this reference reinforces that just as Hashem gave Israel victory over Sihon, He would do the same with Og. The location emphasizes the continuity of Hashem's deliverance in conquering the land.