Albert Barnes Commentary Deuteronomy 3

Sixty cities - Probably the cities of Jair in Bashan described in (Deuteronomy 3:14) as Bashan-havoth-jair.

All the region of Argob - The Hebrew word here rendered “region,” means literally “rope” or “cable”; and though undoubtedly used elsewhere in a general topographical sense for portion or district (e.g., Joshua 17:5), it has a special appropriateness in reference to Argob (modern Lejah). The name Argob means “stone-heap,” and is paraphrased by the Targums, Trachonitis (Luke 3:1), or “the rough country;” titles designating the more striking features of the district. Its borders are compared to a rugged shoreline; hence, its description in the text as “the girdle of the stony country,” would seem especially appropriate. (Others identify Argob with the east quarter of the Hauran.)

Gates, and bars - literally, “Double gates and a bar.” The stone doors of Bashan, their height pointing to a race of great stature, and the numerous cities (deserted) exist to illustrate the statements of these verses.

Hermon, the southern and highest point of the Lebanon mountain range, was also the religious center of primeval Syria. Its Baal sanctuaries not only existed but also gave it a name before the Exodus.

Therefore, its various names were carefully specified. Its Sidonian name, for example, could easily have become known to Moses through the constant interaction that had occurred from the most ancient times between Sidon and Egypt.

Salchah - Compare Joshua 12:5; 1 Chronicles 5:11, where it is named as belonging to the tribe of Gad. It lies seven hours’ journey to the southeast of Bostra or Bozrah of Moab. As the eastern border city of the kingdom of Bashan it was no doubt strongly fortified.

Edrei - Compare Numbers 21:33 note.

Giants - Or Rephaim: see the marginal reference note.

A bedstead of iron - The “iron” was probably the black basalt of the country, which not only contains a large proportion (about 20 percent) of iron, but was actually called “iron,” and is still so regarded by the Arabians. Iron was indeed known and used at the time in question by the Semitic people of Palestine and the adjoining countries, principally for tools (see, for example, Deuteronomy 19:5 and compare Genesis 4:22 note); but bronze was the ordinary metal of which weapons, articles of furniture, etc., were made.

The word translated “bedstead” is derived from a root meaning “to unite” or “bind together,” and thus “to arch” or “cover with a vault.” The word may then certainly mean “bier,” and perhaps does so in this passage. Modern travelers have discovered in the territories of Og sarcophagi as well as many other articles made of the black basalt of the country.

Is it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon? - Probably, after the defeat and death of Og at Edrei, the remnant of his army fled into the territory of the friendly Ammonites, and carried with them the corpse of the giant king.

After the cubit of a man - That is, according to the usual and ordinary cubit, measured by the common human standard. Taking 18 inches to the cubit, the bedstead or sarcophagus would thus be from thirteen to fourteen feet long.