Bible Commentaries
Deuteronomy 3

Verses 1-7

The Children of Israel Defeat Og King of Bashan In Deuteronomy 3:1-3 Moses rehearses the events Israel’s defeat of Og king of Basham, which is recorded in Numbers 21:33-35.

Deuteronomy 3:1 Then we turned, and went up the way to Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan came out against us, he and all his people, to battle at Edrei.

Deuteronomy 3:1 Comments - Bashan was located north of the Amorites.

Verses 1-29

The First Speech of Moses Deuteronomy 1:3 to Deuteronomy 4:49 contains the first speech of Moses to the children of Israel in order to prepare them to enter the Promised Land. The purpose of this speech is to exhort Israel to obey the Law that has been delivered to them in order that they prosper in their new land. In this speech Moses gives an historical overview of Israel’s relationship with the Lord since they made a covenant with Him at Mount Sinai. Moses rehearses Israel’s forty-year wilderness journey in order to show them God’s faithfulness in watching over His people.

1. Charge to Depart Mount Sinai & Go Possess the Promised Land Deuteronomy 1:3-8

2. Moses Appoints Judges Over the Children of Israel Deuteronomy 1:9-18

3. Israel’s Failure to Possess the Promised Land at Kadeshbarnea Deuteronomy 1:19-46

4. The Children of Israel Pass Through Edom Deuteronomy 2:1-7

5. The Children of Israel Pass Through Moab Deuteronomy 2:8-12

6. The Children of Israel Journey Forty Years in the Wilderness Deuteronomy 2:13-15

7. The Children of Israel Pass Through the Ammonites Deuteronomy 2:16-23

8. Israel Defeats Sihon King of the Amorites Deuteronomy 2:24-37

9. The Children of Israel Defeat Og King of Bashan Deuteronomy 3:1-7

10. The Lord Gives Israel the Land of the Two Amorite Kings Deuteronomy 3:8-22

11. God Raises Up Joshua to Lead Israel into the Promised Land Deuteronomy 3:23-29

12. Moses Exhorts Israel to Hearken Unto the Law Deuteronomy 4:1-40

13. Moses Appoints Three Cities of Refuge East of Jordan Deuteronomy 4:41-43

14. Conclusion to Moses’ First Speech Deuteronomy 4:44-49

Verses 8-22

The Lord Gives Israel the Land of the Two Amorite Kings In Deuteronomy 3:8-22 Moses rehearses the event of the Lord giving Israel the land of the two Amorite kings that were defeated.

Deuteronomy 3:14 Jair the son of Manasseh took all the country of Argob unto the coasts of Geshuri and Maachathi; and called them after his own name, Bashanhavothjair, unto this day.

Deuteronomy 3:14 “Bashanhavothjair” Comments - The ASV reads, “Jair the son of Manasseh took all the region of Argob, unto the border of the Geshurites and the Maacathites, and called them, even Bashan, after his own name, Havvoth-jair , unto this day.)”

Note a reference to “Havothjair” in Numbers 32:41, “And Jair the son of Manasseh went and took the small towns thereof, and called them Havothjair .”

Deuteronomy 3:17 The plain also, and Jordan, and the coast thereof, from Chinnereth even unto the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, under Ashdothpisgah eastward.

Deuteronomy 3:17 “from Chinnereth” Comments - Chinnereth was the name of a city which was near the shore of the lake of Galilee, just south of Tiberias. Easton says, “The town seems to have given its name to a district, as appears from 1 Kings 15:20, where the plural form of the word is used.” The Sea of Chinnereth (Numbers 34:11; Joshua 13:27), or of Chinneroth (Joshua 12:3), was the “lake of Gennesaret” or “sea of Tiberias” (Deuteronomy 3:17; Joshua 11:2). Chinnereth was probably an ancient Canaanitish name adopted by the Israelites into their language.”

1 Kings 15:20, “So Benhadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of the hosts which he had against the cities of Israel, and smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abelbethmaachah, and all Cinneroth , with all the land of Naphtali.”

Numbers 34:11, “And the coast shall go down from Shepham to Riblah, on the east side of Ain; and the border shall descend, and shall reach unto the side of the sea of Chinnereth eastward:”

Joshua 13:27, “And in the valley, Betharam, and Bethnimrah, and Succoth, and Zaphon, the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, Jordan and his border, even unto the edge of the sea of Chinnereth on the other side Jordan eastward.”

Joshua 12:3, “And from the plain to the sea of Chinneroth on the east, and unto the sea of the plain, even the salt sea on the east, the way to Bethjeshimoth; and from the south, under Ashdothpisgah:”

Deuteronomy 3:17, “The plain also, and Jordan, and the coast thereof, from Chinnereth even unto the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, under Ashdothpisgah eastward.”

Joshua 11:2, “And to the kings that were on the north of the mountains, and of the plains south of Chinneroth , and in the valley, and in the borders of Dor on the west,”

Deuteronomy 3:17 “even unto the sea of the plain, even the salt sea” Comments - The Salt Sea is called today by the name “Dead Sea.”

Verses 23-29

God Raises Up Joshua to Lead Israel into the Promised Land In Deuteronomy 3:23-29 Moses explains why he would not pass over the Jordan, and that Israel would be given Joshua as their new leader. Note that Moses represented the Law, which Paul argued in his epistles to the Romans and Galatians was not able to justify someone before God. However, Joshua represents Jesus Christ, who is able to bring us unto rest and salvation (Hebrews 4:1-10).