דברים, פרק ג׳, פסוק ג׳

The defeat of Og, the king of Bashan, and his army was a swift and absolute triumph that blended miraculous divine intervention with immense national bravery. The formidable king was handed over to the Israelites in a truly wondrous manner [ביאור יש״ר]. When Moses recounts this event, he describes the enemy as being delivered to the entire nation. This collective framing is notable because God had originally promised Moses that the king would be delivered specifically to him alone.

One perspective suggests that the victory was indeed a personal triumph for Moses. In a dramatic confrontation, Moses struck the king himself after God caused a mountain, which the king had attempted to hurl at the Israelite camp, to collapse onto the enemy's neck. Moses speaks of the victory collectively because his individual action is viewed as representing the entire nation [אור החיים].

Conversely, another approach views Moses' inclusive description as a calculated leadership decision. Moses worried that the Israelites might feel inadequate, assuming these military successes were entirely dependent on his personal merit. Such insecurity could lead to deep anxiety about their upcoming conquest of Canaan, which they would have to face after his passing. To prevent this, Moses emphasizes that the enemy was delivered to everyone, teaching the people that their own merits and abilities were just as vital. By comparing this victory to their previous triumph over Sihon, a battle that did not rely on Moses' unique merit, he actively works to calm their fears about the future [אלשיך].

The initial attack was highly focused, targeting only the military forces that had marched out to the open battlefield, while the conquest of the cities was left for a later stage [העמק דבר]. However, the defeat of these mighty warriors in the initial clash caused a total collapse of the enemy's defenses. This allowed the Israelites to swiftly capture all the fortified cities without the need for a prolonged siege [מלבי״ם].

The triumph was entirely comprehensive, ensuring that not a single survivor or trace of the enemy remained [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The thoroughness of this destruction reflects the absolute partnership of the people, as every single Israelite actively participated in the effort to ensure the threat was completely eradicated [אבן עזרא].