Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

3:1 Bashan is the area northeast of the Sea of Galilee. Edrei was a town on the southern border of Bashan (see map).

3:5-7 cities fortified. See 1:28. In recounting these victories, Moses seeks to persuade Israel to cross the Jordan, not fearing the enemy but trusting in God's power. devoted them to destruction. See note on 2:34-35.

3:8-10 Mount Hermon (9,232 feet/2,814 m) is a snowcapped mountain at the northern border of Israel, Lebanon, and Syria (see Ps. 42:6; 89:12; 133:3). The alternative names Sirion and Senir are also found in ancient Ugaritic, Hittite, and Assyrian documents. Salecah lay on the southeastern edge of Bashan (Josh. 12:5; 13:11).

3:11 Rephaim. See note on 2:10-12. Rabbah, capital of Ammon (2 Sam. 11:1; Amos 1:13-14), is modern-day Amman, Jordan. Og's bed of iron was over 13 feet (4 m) long and 6 feet (1.8 m) wide. This may refer to his coffin. The reference reminds Israel that the "giant" Rephaim have been killed and that Israel's fear of them (see Deut. 1:28) is unfounded. The common cubit (different from a royal cubit) was approximately 18 inches (46 cm).