Over the centuries, Og, the King of Bashan has been shrouded in mystery and dispute. In Jewish folklore, he was a giant, and was the last of the Rephaim. But how tall was Og in the bible? The short answer is that Og’s height is not specified. His size is shrouded by the abstract nature of texts found in ancient manuscripts.
The earliest mention of Og is in Deuteronomy, in which Moses gives an account of the conquest of Transjordan before the Israelites cross into the Land of Canaan. Here, Og is referred to as a giant as it states “Og the king of Bashan was the last of the Rephaim.” He is also mentioned in other books of the bible, namely Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, and Psalms.
Rabbinic literature paints a vivid and fanciful display of Og. He is remembered as the tallest man of his era, claiming dominion over numerous republics. He was believed to have been a powerful warrior, a king, and an ancestor of the Philistines. In rabbinic sources, Og stands a full 12 cubits or 24 feet tall, and his bed measured 13 by 6 cubits. This is equal to nine feet wide by 24 feet long, a supplement to the biblical narratives.
The size of Og is greatly disputed between religious scholars, including whether this height is meant to be taken in a literal sense. Many biblical experts believe the numbers are likely to be exaggerated, possibly reflecting a poetic exaggeration rather than an accurate measurement. Other suggested that, instead, the number alludes not to physical size, but rather to the enormity of Og’s authority and power, a suggestion which is not without support.
Theologians believe Og’s size is an illustration of the Lord’s ability to empower a person who, while physically small, is still capable of greatness when supported by divine grace. Ultimately, Og’s size appears to have been deliberately undetermined by the biblical authors, a source of mystery and intrigue that scholars have been considering for millennia.
Where did Og originate?
The land of Bashan is located east of the Jordan River in modern-day Syria. Little is known about it, as it is not mentioned by ancient Greek and Roman writers and no archaeological remains have been discovered. It was a province of the Aramean kingdom of the Early Iron Age and is referenced in several documents from the ancient Near East. Ancient documents from Ugarit, a Minoan city-state in what is now Syria and Lebanon, describe Og as the king of a place called Elizur and refer to him as a giant.
When discussing the origin of Og and other giants mentioned in the bible, some authors draw a connection to a group of people known as the Rephaim. According to scholars, the Rephaim can be associated with a group of people related to the Amorites and early Hebrews, who lived in the Jordan River Valley during the Pre-Bronze Age and early Iron Age.
Og was believed to have descended from an earlier race. In Jewish tradition, the Rephaim were said to have been the first humans that lived on the Earth before the great flood. Some suggest that Og’s race descended from a line of giants born from the illicit union between angels and women, as mentioned in Genesis, who may have populated the Jordan River Valley prior to the Israelites’ arrival.
Rabbinic literature states that the Rephaim’s territories spanned as far north as Israel and Syria, and that Og and the other giants were descended from Anak, the son of Arba. Scholars have disputed this account, citing the lack of evidence of the Rephaim’s existence.
What was Og’s character like?
According to biblical accounts, Og was a walled in king and a powerful warrior. He fought fiercely against Moses and the Israelites and was the last of the Rephaim – a race of giants – to be wiped out of existence. The book of Deuteronomy describes him as “a very great man”, with a bed made of iron.
In rabbinic literature, Og was known for his ferocity, strength, and courage. It was believed that Og held dominion over sixty cities and had the strength of twenty men. He was also said to be so fierce that he could bring down mountains and consume their inhabitants using his iconic iron bed.
The rabbis also record Og with possession of two horns said to have special magical powers; one that enabled him to speak with a loud voice and one that allowed him to uncover hidden treasures. According to some texts, these horns hung in the Temple in Jerusalem.
Og was feared by many of his contemporaries as well as the Israelites, who considered him as a master of evil and a threat to their newfound land. He was described in Psalms as a “king of terror”, and in rabbinic literature his entrance into a city was marked with a dreadful sound filled with a sense of imminent danger.
What was Og’s fate?
According to biblical accounts, Og’s fate was sealed after he fought a battle with the Israelites. It is said that Og and his people were defeated in that battle and subsequently killed by Moses and the Israelites. The location of the confrontation was believed to be Edrei in the Transjordan region.
Rabbinic literature describes Og as the last of the Rephaim and the mighty king of Bashan, who fought the Israelite mercenaries against the Lord’s wishes. The result of the battle was the downfall of Og and all his people, with the exception of his daughter who was spared by Moses.
The fate of Og and the other Rephaim was evidence that even the most powerful could not stand up against the Lord. It is also representative of the conquest of the Israelites as they faced tremendous odds and overcame their enemies.
How was Og remembered?
Og is remembered in literature and art. Judaism, Christianity and Islam all have references to Og in their religious texts, and some scholars have argued that Og is the same as the Goliath who David fought and killed.
Rabbinic literature marks Og out as an evil giant who was slain by the Israelites due to his defiance of God’s will and his threats of violence. Christian commentaries also cite Og as a symbol of evil and unbelief who was punished for his disobedient behavior.
In Islam, Og is referred to as Ug, a king of pre-Islamic origin who confronted Iblīs, or the Devil. He is remembered as a giant, renowned for his strength and courage.
Og also appears in several artistic works, including literature, paintings, and sculptures. Shakespeare, for example, refers to Og in his play ‘King Lear’ and an og appears in a story in the Jewish folklore book ‘The Proof of the Truth’. Og also appears in popular culture, such as in the bible adaptation series called ‘In the Beginning’.
What insights can be gained from Og’s story?
Og’s story offers important insights into the relationship between faith, faithlessness and power. His story serves as a warning against those who practice violence and aggression, as the Judeo-Christian God showed no mercy to Og and his people. At the same time, it demonstrates the power of faith and strength of will. Og, who was initially an enemy of God, later became an example of faith through his fight against oppression.
Og’s story can also serve as an example of the power of hope and perseverance in the face of daunting odds. Despite being outnumbered and outmatched, the Israelites stood firm and defeated Og and his forces. This is a testament to the power of faith and the fact that with enough determination one can overcome enormous challenges and achieve the impossible.
Og’s story also touches on themes of mortality and immortality, as the death of a giant is a reminder of the fragility of human life in spite of its power. In this sense, Og’s story serves as a reminder of the importance of cherishing life and seizing every moment.
Overall, the story of Og sheds light on the hidden powers of will and faith and
