Definition: For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of giants; behold, his bedstead [was] a bedstead of iron; [is] it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon? nine cubits [was] the length thereof, and four cubits the breadth of it, after the cubit of a man.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Deuteronomy 3:11. It's a really important passage that sets the stage for how God wants to deal with the giants who were left behind after the Exodus from Egypt. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: God is saying, “I want to make sure I’m not dealing with a massive, powerful, and potentially dangerous remnant of the giants.” He's identifying one giant – Og – who remained alive. He’s describing his bed as incredibly large and unusual. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “For only Og king of Bashan…” - This tells us we’re talking about a specific, powerful giant named Og who lived in the region of Bashan (modern-day Israel and Palestine). “…remnant of giants…” – This means he wasn't just one giant; there were many others. He was a group that survived after the Egyptians had defeated them. “Behold, his bedstead [was] a bedstead of iron…” - This is the key part! God is describing Og’s bed as being made of iron – very strong and durable. Iron is often associated with power and might. “[is] it not in Rabbah of the children of Ammon?” – This tells us where this giant lived. He was located in Rabbah, a region near modern-day Ammon (a city in Israel). “Nine cubits [was] the length thereof, and four cubits the breadth of it…” - This gives us a specific measurement for the bed. It’s 9 cubits long and 4 cubits wide – that's roughly the size of a man! Overall Meaning: God is saying, "Og was a very large giant, and he had a bed made of iron, which was enormous. He lived near Rabbah in Israel, and his bed was nearly as big as a man." Why is this important? This verse is part of a larger story about God's plan to make the Israelites strong and secure. It’s a way for God to show that he isn’t just concerned with them, but also with the potential dangers lurking in the past. It highlights God’s control and protection over his people. In short: God is emphasizing that Og was a significant giant who needed to be carefully managed, and his bed was incredibly large and imposing. --- Do you want me to explain any of these parts in more detail or perhaps connect this verse to a specific biblical story? For example, would you like me to: Discuss the significance of the "children of Ammon" region? Explain what 'cubit' means in the context of ancient measurement?