במדבר, פרק כ״א, פסוק ל״ה

The complete downfall of Og, the giant king of Bashan, marks a climactic moment in the conquest of the land, representing a profound clash between immense physical might and spiritual power. The victory unfolded in distinct stages. Moses personally struck and killed Og, while the Israelites defeated his offspring and the rest of his nation [גור אריה, דברי דוד]. A subtle textual detail suggests that Og had one specific son who was even stronger and more formidable than the giant king himself [רא״ש, מנחת שי, צאינה וראינה]. The destruction of these giants carried a broader message from God: while in this world the wicked are dismantled gradually, in the future, they will be eliminated all at once [רא״ש, צאינה וראינה]. Ultimately, the victory was absolute. The Israelites left no survivors from Og's people [אבן עזרא], completely taking possession and settling the conquered territory [ביאור יש״ר].

Behind the physical combat lay a deep spiritual struggle. Initially, Moses was afraid to face Og. This giant was a survivor of the great Flood, having clung to the roof of the Ark, and was historically identified as Eliezer, the servant of Abraham. Moses worried that Og's connection to Abraham would grant him protective merit in battle [צאינה וראינה, גור אריה]. However, Og's strength was entirely physical, manifested in his monstrous size and the towering cities he built. In contrast, the strength of the Israelites was spiritual and elevated above the material world [גור אריה, צאינה וראינה].

This triumph of spirit over matter is vividly illustrated in the traditional account of the battle. Og attempted to uproot a massive mountain equal to the size of the Israelite camp and hurl it at them. By choosing a mountain measuring three parasangs, he was attempting to leverage the merit of the three Patriarchs to overpower the nation [משכיל לדוד]. In response, God sent ants or worms to bore through the rock, causing the mountain to collapse around Og's neck like a collar. At the same time, the giant's teeth unnaturally lengthened and became embedded in the stone, trapping him completely [רש״י, מזרחי, צאינה וראינה].

This vivid imagery carries deep meaning. The mountain represents the absolute peak of materialism, while the worms symbolize the spiritual power of the Israelites—a force that appears small but possesses the ability to penetrate and dismantle dense physical matter. The unnatural growth of Og's teeth reflects the very nature of wickedness: when evil is prevented from executing its plans, its destructive desire only intensifies, ultimately leading to its own self-destruction [גור אריה].

The final, decisive strike was delivered by Moses. Standing ten cubits tall, Moses took an axe ten cubits long, leaped ten cubits into the air, and struck Og directly on the ankle [מזרחי, צאינה וראינה]. Targeting the ankle was a calculated move to uproot the very foundation of Og's physical power, as the legs are the base of immense size and materialism. Furthermore, the repeated use of the number ten represents the spiritual perfection Moses channeled to overcome the giant's raw material strength [גור אריה]. The entire confrontation proves that immense physical power is ultimately useless, and true success relies entirely on the fear of God and dependence on His kindness [צאינה וראינה].