Numbers 33 53

Numbers 33:53 kjv

And ye shall dispossess the inhabitants of the land, and dwell therein: for I have given you the land to possess it.

Numbers 33:53 nkjv

you shall dispossess the inhabitants of the land and dwell in it, for I have given you the land to possess.

Numbers 33:53 niv

Take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given you the land to possess.

Numbers 33:53 esv

And you shall take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given the land to you to possess it.

Numbers 33:53 nlt

Take possession of the land and settle in it, because I have given it to you to occupy.

Numbers 33 verses

Numbers 33 53 Meaning

Numbers 33:53 serves as a pivotal command from God to the Israelites, instructing them to actively occupy and settle the land of Canaan. This instruction is predicated on God's prior divine act of bestowing the land upon them as an inheritance. It highlights a critical intersection of God's sovereign gift and Israel's required obedient action. The verse signifies that while the land is divinely granted, its full possession and permanent dwelling necessitate Israel's engagement in dispossessing the existing inhabitants.

Numbers 33 53 Context

Numbers 33:53 appears at the conclusion of a lengthy review of Israel's wilderness wanderings, from their exodus out of Egypt through all their encampments, leading them to the plains of Moab opposite Jericho. This detailed itinerary serves as a testament to God's faithful guidance. Immediately following this historical summary, God delivers a series of vital instructions regarding their imminent entry into the Promised Land. The preceding verses (50-52) explicitly command Israel to dispossess the existing inhabitants of the land, break down their idolatrous objects, and destroy their high places. Verse 53 directly follows, providing the positive injunction: after clearing the land of its pagan elements, they are to then inhabit it. The historical context is crucial; Israel is on the cusp of fulfilling a centuries-old covenant promise made to Abraham, but this fulfillment requires direct and obedient action from their part in conquering and settling the land.

Numbers 33 53 Word analysis

• וירשתם (vi-yerashtem): "and you shall take possession / dispossess."
  • Root: ירש (yarash).
  • Significance: This verb carries a double meaning. It implies taking ownership or inheriting, but crucially, it also means to dispossess or drive out the current inhabitants. It is not merely entering an empty land but actively removing those who dwell there. This underscores the combative and judgmental aspect of Israel's entry.
• את-הארץ (et-ha'aretz): "the land."
  • Significance: Refers specifically to the land of Canaan, the geographical fulfillment of God's covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
• וישבתם (vi-yashavtem): "and you shall dwell / settle."
  • Root: ישב (yashav).
  • Significance: Implies permanent inhabitation and peaceful settlement after the initial conquest. This shows God's ultimate intention for Israel: not just to transiently occupy but to establish their homeland there.
• בה (bah): "in it."
  • Significance: A simple pronoun emphasizing their permanent presence within the specified land.
• כי-לכם (ki-lakhem): "for to you / because to you."
  • Significance: The word "ki" ("for" or "because") introduces the divine rationale. Israel's action is not arbitrary; it is a direct consequence and appropriation of God's prior act. It highlights divine sovereignty.
• נתתי (natati): "I have given."
  • Root: נתן (nathan).
  • Significance: Perfect tense, indicating a completed action in the past by God with continuing results. From God's perspective, the land is already theirs by divine decree. This reinforces the idea that Israel is claiming what God has already granted.
• את-הארץ (et-ha'aretz): "the land."
  • Repetition: Reinforces the object of God's gift, unequivocally the Promised Land.
• לרשתה (lāreshetah): "to possess it / for possessing it."
  • Significance: Infinitve construct, reiterating the purpose for which God gave the land – for Israel to indeed dispossess and possess it. The theme of yarash (possession/dispossession) frames both God's grant and Israel's mandate.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "and you shall take possession of the land and dwell in it": This phrase outlines the sequential divine imperative for Israel. First, an active, potentially violent, appropriation ("take possession/dispossess") is required. Second, this conquest leads to permanent settlement and a home ("dwell in it"). This sequence emphasizes the human responsibility in actualizing God's promise.
• "for I have given you the land to possess it": This provides the theological foundation for the command. Israel is not invading unjustly, but rather executing God's sovereign will and receiving His gracious gift. The repetition of "possess" (via the verb "yarash") underscores that the land's purpose for Israel is for them to truly inherit it, driving out any existing claims. This is an act of covenant faithfulness on God's part, requiring faithful action on Israel's part.

Numbers 33 53 Bonus section

The emphasis on "taking possession" (Hebrew: yarash) carries a significant legal and covenantal weight beyond mere occupation. It signifies succession and inheritance, solidifying Israel's rightful claim to the land based on God's covenant with Abraham. This makes Israel's entry not a colonial venture, but a divinely appointed return and establishment of a new nation. Furthermore, the constant pairing of the divine "I have given" with the human "you shall possess" establishes a critical biblical pattern: God provides the way, the power, and the promise, but His people must act in faith to receive and live in that provision. This dynamic is central to understanding how divine grace works in tandem with human responsibility throughout scripture.

Numbers 33 53 Commentary

Numbers 33:53 distills the core theological principle guiding Israel's entry into Canaan: divine initiative mandates human obedience. God unequivocally declares, "I have given you the land," underscoring His sovereignty and the certainty of His covenant promises. The land is a divine gift, not something Israel earns or discovers. However, this divine gift does not negate human responsibility; rather, it demands it. Israel is commanded, "you shall take possession... and dwell in it," implying vigorous action to dispossess the current occupants and establish permanent residence. This is a call to actively lay claim to what God has already decreed as theirs. The dispossessing aspect highlights God's judgment on the wicked inhabitants of Canaan and Israel's role as an instrument in His divine plan. For believers, this verse illustrates how God grants spiritual blessings and an inheritance (e.g., salvation, righteousness, spiritual gifts), yet requires active engagement, faith, and diligence to fully walk in them and experience their benefits. We are "given" every spiritual blessing (Eph 1:3), but we must "fight the good fight" (1 Tim 6:12) to live out and protect that inheritance.