John Calvin Commentary Numbers 21:33

"And they turned and went up by the way of Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan went out against them, he and all his people, to battle at Edrei." — Numbers 21:33 (ASV)

And they turned and went up. Here another victory of the people is described, in which they again experienced the continued favor of God, so that they might be aroused to greater eagerness and courageously prepare themselves for further progress. For they could confidently expect that, with God as their leader, all things would succeed prosperously for them.

The region of Bashan, as Scripture informs us in many places, was fertile and famous for its rich pastures; Moses also testifies here to its great extent. It was, then, no ordinary proof of God’s favor and aid that they should take it in a moment, as it were. Therefore, it is not without cause that in the Psalm God’s power and goodness are magnified in reference to these victories, because He

slew mighty kings, Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and gave their land for a heritage, a heritage unto his people (Psalms 135:10–12).

For, although the Israelites were superior in numbers, there is no doubt that when this king dared to go out to battle, he trusted in his forces and considered himself equal to resistance. Therefore God’s grace shone forth the more conspicuously; and indeed, so that he might extol its greatness the more, Moses afterwards also relates that sixty cities were taken. ¹³⁵

¹³⁵ Addition in Fr, “sans les bourgades;“ not reckoning the villages.“sans les bourgades;“ not reckoning the villages.