Deuteronomy 3:11

11Only King Og of Bashan was left of the remaining Rephaites. (It is noteworthy
Heb “Behold” (הִנֵּה, hinneh).
that his sarcophagus
The Hebrew term עֶרֶשׂ (’eres), traditionally translated “bed” (cf. NAB, NIV, NRSV, NLT) is likely a basaltic (volcanic) stone sarcophagus of suitable size to contain the coffin of the giant Rephaite king. Its iron-like color and texture caused it to be described as an iron container. See A. Millard, “King Og’s Iron Bed: Fact or Fancy?” BR 6 (1990): 16-21, 44; cf. also NEB “his sarcophagus of basalt”; TEV, CEV “his coffin.”
was made of iron.
Or “of iron-colored basalt.” See note on the word “sarcophagus” earlier in this verse.
Does it not, indeed, still remain in Rabbath
Rabbath. This place name (usually occurring as Rabbah; 2 Sam 11:11; 12:27; Jer 49:3) refers to the ancient capital of the Ammonite kingdom, now the modern city of Amman, Jordan. The word means “great [one],” probably because of its political importance. The fact that the sarcophagus “still remain[ed]” there suggests this part of the verse is post-Mosaic, having been added as a matter of explanation for the existence of the artifact and also to verify the claim as to its size.
of the Ammonites? It is thirteen and a half feet
Heb “nine cubits.” Assuming a length of 18 in (45 cm) for the standard cubit, this would be 13.5 ft (4.1 m) long.
long and six feet
Heb “four cubits.” This would be 6 ft (1.8 m) wide.
wide according to standard measure.)
Heb “by the cubit of man.” This probably refers to the “short” or “regular” cubit of approximately 18 in (45 cm).


Copyright information for NETfull