Deuteronomy 3:1, commentary and pictures

After victory over the Amorites, Israel turned and went up the way toward Bashan, following the cloudy pillar to Edrei. Bashan was a powerful and populous kingdom of many stone cities and strong natural defenses, with difficult terrain that could test Israel's courage and faith in God. It had sixty walled cities with gates and bars besides many unwalled towns, with enormous black-stone buildings that seemed impregnable by the military means of that time.

Its people were descendants of a giant race, famed for great size, strength, violence, and cruelty. Og was especially renowned for his size, prowess, and imposing appearance even among them. At Edrei, Og the king of Bashan came out against Israel with all his people, with his whole army, for battle.

Edrei stood on a steep, rocky tableland that gave Og's forces a strong defensive position and a possible refuge if defeated. The advance begun here leads into the account of Israel's victory over Og, which evidenced that God was with Israel and helped fill the surrounding nations with fear.