Og is called one of the last of the Rephaim, another name for the race of giants (see Deut 2.10-11). For Og himself see Deuteronomy 3.11. For the defeat of King Og of Bashan, see Numbers 21.33-35; Deuteronomy 3.1-11.The Hebrew text begins verse 4 “and the boundary (or, territory) of Og”; the Septuagint has “and Og.” Hebrew Old Testament Text Project places the verse division not before “and the territory” (as does the Masoretic text) but after, thus including “and the territory” in verse 3, and beginning verse 4 with “Og.” It translates the end of verse 3 “under the slopes of Pisgah and its (neighboring) territory.” Traduction œcuménique de la Bible retains the division of the Masoretic text and translates the beginning of verse 4 “Then the territory of Og….” Bible de Jérusalem has the same text and footnote as Revised Standard Version.

The pronoun they may be better rendered “Moses and the people of Israel,” because a great deal of information has intervened since the previous mention of Moses in verse 1 (see suggested translation model). Moreover, inasmuch as the book speaks primarily about the exploits of Joshua and the Israelites, it may easily be forgotten by the reader that in this instance the reference is to Moses.

Finally, the first sentence of verse 4 may be divided into two parts: “Moses and the Israelites also defeated King Og of Bashan. He was one of the last of the giants called Rephaim, and he ruled from the cities of Ashtaroth and Edrei.” Ashtaroth and Edrei are two cities to the east and southeast of Lake Galilee, about 25 kilometers distance from one another.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Newman, Barclay M. A Handbook on Joshua. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1983. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .