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Deuteronomy 3:3 - Divine victory over mighty Og

Deuteronomy 3:3 - דברים 3:3

Hebrew Text

וַיִּתֵּן יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ בְּיָדֵנוּ גַּם אֶת־עוֹג מֶלֶךְ־הַבָּשָׁן וְאֶת־כָּל־עַמּוֹ וַנַּכֵּהוּ עַד־בִּלְתִּי הִשְׁאִיר־לוֹ שָׂרִיד׃

English Translation

So the Lord our God delivered into our hands ῾Og also, the king of Bashan, and all his people: and we smote him until none was left to him remaining.

Transliteration

Vayiten Adonai Eloheinu beyadeinu gam et-Og melech-haBashan ve'et-kol-amo vanakehu ad-bilti hishir-lo sarid.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיִּתֵּן֩ יְהֹוָ֨ה אֱלֹהֵ֜ינוּ בְּיָדֵ֗נוּ גַּ֛ם אֶת־ע֥וֹג מֶֽלֶךְ־הַבָּשָׁ֖ן וְאֶת־כׇּל־עַמּ֑וֹ וַנַּכֵּ֕הוּ עַד־בִּלְתִּ֥י הִשְׁאִֽיר־ל֖וֹ שָׂרִֽיד׃
וַיִּתֵּן֩ יְהֹוָ֨ה אֱלֹהֵ֜ינוּ בְּיָדֵ֗נוּ גַּ֛ם אֶת־ע֥וֹג מֶֽלֶךְ־הַבָּשָׁ֖ן וְאֶת־כׇּל־עַמּ֑וֹ וַנַּכֵּ֕הוּ עַד־בִּלְתִּ֥י הִשְׁאִֽיר־ל֖וֹ שָׂרִֽיד׃

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Parasha Commentary

Victory Over Og, King of Bashan

The verse describes Hashem delivering Og, king of Bashan, and his people into the hands of Bnei Yisrael, resulting in their complete defeat. This event is significant in the narrative of the conquest of Eretz Yisrael.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi (Devarim 3:1) explains that Og was a survivor of the Rephaim, a race of giants mentioned in Bereishit 14:5. His survival from earlier battles (such as the war of the four kings against the five) led him to believe he was invincible, but Hashem delivered him into Israel's hands to demonstrate His power.

Midrashic Insights

  • The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 42:8) identifies Og as the "palit" (fugitive) who informed Avraham about Lot's capture, suggesting he had a long history dating back to Avraham's time.
  • Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer (16) states Og intended to throw a mountain at Israel, but Hashem caused ants to bore holes in it, making it fall around his neck. Moshe then struck him with a club.

Halachic Significance

The Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 5:1) cites this battle as part of the obligatory wars (milchemet mitzvah) commanded to Israel when entering the land, demonstrating that conquering these nations was a divine imperative.

Spiritual Lessons

  • The complete destruction ("until none was left remaining") teaches that when dealing with certain enemies, half-measures are insufficient (Sifrei Devarim 11).
  • The mention of "Hashem our God" emphasizes that this was not a natural military victory but a supernatural intervention (Malbim).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Berakhot 54b
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing the miracles performed for the Israelites, specifically the defeat of Og, king of Bashan, as an example of God's deliverance.
📖 Niddah 61a
The verse is mentioned in a discussion about the size and strength of Og, king of Bashan, and how his defeat was a significant event.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who was King Og of Bashan mentioned in Deuteronomy 3:3?
A: King Og was a giant ruler of Bashan (Devarim 3:11 mentions his enormous iron bed). The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 26:7) identifies him as the last survivor of the Rephaim, a race of giants. Rashi explains that Og had previously escaped the Flood by clinging to Noah's Ark, showing his unnatural longevity.
Q: Why was defeating King Og significant for the Israelites?
A: The defeat of Og was miraculous because he was a fearsome giant whose kingdom seemed impregnable (Chullin 60b). Ramban explains that this victory demonstrated Hashem's power to overcome impossible obstacles for His people. It also cleared the eastern side of the Jordan River for Israelite settlement.
Q: What does 'until none was left remaining' mean in this verse?
A: Rashi explains this means complete military victory - no soldiers survived to regroup. However, the Talmud (Berachos 54b) notes that some common people may have survived, as the prohibition against leaving survivors applied specifically to combatants (Devarim 20:16). The phrase emphasizes the totality of Hashem's deliverance.
Q: How does this victory relate to the Exodus story?
A: The Midrash (Devarim Rabbah 1:25) connects Og to Pharaoh - both were arrogant rulers who opposed Israel. Just as Hashem defeated Pharaoh at the Red Sea, He defeated Og in battle. These parallel victories bookend Israel's wilderness journey, showing consistent divine protection.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Og's defeat today?
A: The Talmud (Niddah 61a) teaches that Og represents the 'yeitzer hara' (evil inclination) - seemingly giant obstacles that can be overcome with divine help. Just as Moshe needed special strategy to defeat Og (Midrash Tanchuma Chukat 12), we must combine prayer with practical effort when facing challenges.