The Fall of King Og the Last of the Rephaim

EA Baker
Nov 26, 2025
4 min read

Updated: Dec 4, 2025

Wars of the Bible

In our last installment, we saw how King Sihon of the Amorites rose against Israel, refusing their request for safe passage through his lands, and how the Israelites, under Moses, decisively defeated him at Jahaz. Following that victory, Moses sent spies into Jazer, and the people of Israel captured its surrounding towns, driving out the Amorites who lived there. With that territory secured, Israel turned their gaze northward toward Bashan. But before they could settle, a new threat emerged. King Og of Bashan gathered his army and marched out to meet them at Edrei.

Defeat of Sihon and Og

31 So Israel settled in the land of the Amorites.

32 After Moses had sent spies to Jazer, the Israelites captured its surrounding settlements and drove out the Amorites who were there. 33 Then they turned and went up along the road toward Bashan, and Og king of Bashan and his whole army marched out to meet them in battle at Edrei.

34 The Lord said to Moses, “Do not be afraid of him, for I have delivered him into your hands, along with his whole army and his land. Do to him what you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon.”

35 So they struck him down, together with his sons and his whole army, leaving them no survivors. And they took possession of his land.

Numbers 21:31–35

King Og, Bashan, and Edrei

As Israel advanced toward Bashan, a formidable figure awaited them. King Og, the last of the Rephaim, a race of people described in the Bible as having greater-than-average height and stature. Described in the Bible as a giant and a powerful warrior, Og ruled over Bashan, a region known for its fertile plains, strong fortresses, and abundant livestock. His kingdom was more than just a territory; it was a collection of fortified cities and rural lands that symbolized both military strength and economic prosperity.

Bashan itself lay east of the Jordan River, stretching from the southern edge near the Jabbok River northward toward Mount Hermon. Known for its rolling hills, rich pasturelands, and strategic highlands, Bashan was a prize for any conquering army. The Bible often presents it as a land of giants, both literally and figuratively, emphasizing the challenge Israel would face.

Map showing ancient regions: Canaan, Bashan, Gilead, Moab, Edom. Rivers Jordan, Jabbok, and Arnon, plus Dead Sea. Arrows, texts denote areas. — Map of the Israelites' path in their defeat of King Sihon and King Og.

The battle would take place at Edrei, one of Og’s strongholds. While the exact location of Edrei is debated, most scholars place it in southern Bashan, near modern-day Daraa in south Syria. However, some suggest locations slightly west of the Hauran plateau. Its position along key trade and military routes made it a logical point for Og to confront the advancing Israelites.

Regarding historical evidence, the archaeological record provides limited direct confirmation of the battle. While inscriptions and local ruins suggest the existence of fortified cities in Bashan during the Late Bronze Age, no definitive artifact has been uncovered that conclusively ties King Og or Edrei to the events described in Numbers 21. However, the consistency of biblical geography, combined with external references to Bashan and the Rephaim in neighboring cultures’ records, lends credibility to the narrative.

In facing Og at Edrei, Israel was not just confronting a king or his army; it was challenging a symbol of entrenched power in a land rich in resources and history. This battle would prove pivotal in their conquest east of the Jordan, setting the stage for their continued expansion under Moses’ leadership.

My Spiritual Takeaways

Again, we are faced with a very short yet straightforward reading. Nevertheless, in just these short few lines, we can glean two things that at times lead the Israelites astray across the Bible.

Have No Fear, Trust in the Lord

Fear drives us to disaster. It causes us to react and try to take things into our own hands to control the situation. It’s a very human response that we must fight against, for we do not let these worldly emotions drive us, but instead our faith in the Lord. The Israelites at this point have learned their lesson from the last generation, who never entered the Promised Land for putting their fear before their faith.

Follow the Lord’s Instruction

This one is particularly important, for as you read through the Bible, we see the Israelites, particularly their kings, disobey God’s instructions time and time again. This leads the people astray and forces God to correct their behavior with judgment. For us, the Lord’s instruction can be found in the scriptures. And in my experience, when you’re in the bible every day, you’ll begin to notice things around you and in your life that help guide you to where you’re supposed to be.

In the next blog, we’ll take a look at the Fall of the Five Kings in the lands of Midian.