You are to take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given you the land to possess. You are to take possession of the landThis command is directed to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land, Canaan. The directive to "take possession" implies an active role in claiming what God has promised. This reflects the covenantal promise made to Abraham in Genesis 15:18-21, where God promised his descendants a specific land. The act of taking possession also signifies a transition from a nomadic lifestyle to a settled existence, which would require faith and obedience to God's commands. Theologically, this can be seen as a type of the believer's journey to claim the spiritual inheritance promised in Christ ( Ephesians 1:11). and settle in it
The instruction to "settle" indicates a long-term occupation and establishment of a community. This involves building homes, cultivating the land, and establishing societal structures according to God's laws. Historically, this was a significant shift for the Israelites, who had been wandering in the desert for 40 years. Culturally, settling in the land would require the Israelites to remain distinct from the surrounding nations, adhering to the laws given at Sinai. This settling is a precursor to the establishment of the Kingdom of Israel under leaders like David and Solomon. for I have given you the land
This phrase emphasizes God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of His promise. The land is a divine gift, not earned by the Israelites' merit but granted by God's grace. This reflects the unconditional nature of God's covenant with Abraham and his descendants. Theologically, it underscores the concept of divine providence and the assurance that God will fulfill His promises. This can be paralleled with the New Testament promise of eternal life, which is also a gift from God (Romans 6:23). to possess
The term "possess" implies stewardship and responsibility. The Israelites are not merely to inhabit the land but to govern it according to God's laws. This involves driving out the current inhabitants, as commanded in earlier passages, to prevent idolatry and moral corruption. The possession of the land is both a privilege and a responsibility, requiring adherence to God's commandments. In a broader biblical context, this can be seen as a type of the believer's call to live a life set apart, possessing the promises of God through faith and obedience (2 Peter 1:3-4). Persons / Places / Events 1. The IsraelitesThe descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who were led by Moses out of Egypt and through the wilderness toward the Promised Land. 2. The Promised LandThe land of Canaan, which God promised to Abraham and his descendants as an everlasting possession. It represents God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises. 3. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His people from slavery in Egypt and guide them to the Promised Land. 4. CanaanitesThe inhabitants of the land of Canaan, whom the Israelites were commanded to dispossess in order to take possession of the land. 5. God's CommandThe directive from God to the Israelites to take possession of the land, emphasizing His sovereignty and the fulfillment of His covenant promises. Teaching Points God's FaithfulnessGod's promises are sure and steadfast. Just as He promised the land to the Israelites, He fulfills His promises to us today. Obedience to God's CommandsThe Israelites were commanded to take possession of the land. Our obedience to God's directives is crucial in experiencing His blessings. Spiritual InheritanceThe Promised Land symbolizes our spiritual inheritance in Christ. We are called to "take possession" of the spiritual blessings God has given us. Trust in God's SovereigntyTrusting in God's plan and timing is essential. The Israelites had to rely on God's guidance to enter the land, just as we must trust Him in our life's journey. Overcoming ObstaclesThe Israelites faced challenges in taking the land. We, too, must overcome spiritual battles to fully embrace what God has for us. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the command to "take possession of the land" in Numbers 33:53 reflect God's faithfulness to His promises? 2. In what ways can we "take possession" of the spiritual blessings God has given us in Christ? 3. How does the account of the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land encourage us to trust in God's timing and plan for our lives? 4. What obstacles might we face in our spiritual journey, and how can we overcome them with God's help? 5. How do the promises made to Abraham and fulfilled in the Israelites' conquest of Canaan relate to the promises we have in the New Testament through Jesus Christ? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 12:7God's initial promise to Abraham about giving his descendants the land of Canaan, establishing the foundation for the Israelites' journey and conquest. Deuteronomy 1:8A reiteration of God's promise to the Israelites, encouraging them to take possession of the land He swore to their ancestors. Joshua 1:3-6God's assurance to Joshua that He will be with him as he leads the Israelites to take possession of the land, reinforcing the promise made in Numbers 33:53. Hebrews 11:8-10The faith of Abraham in God's promises, highlighting the spiritual significance of the land as a symbol of God's eternal promises. People Aaron, Abel, Arad, Egyptians, Gad, Geber, Israelites, Moses, Perez, Tahath, Terah, ZephonPlaces 0, Abarim, Abel-shittim, Abronah, Almon-diblathaim, Alush, Arad, Baal-zephon, Bene-jaakan, Beth-jeshimoth, Canaan, Dibon-gad, Dophkah, Edom, Egypt, Elim, Etham, Ezion-geber, Hahiroth, Haradah, Hashmonah, Hazeroth, Hor-haggidgad, Iye-abarim, Iyim, Jericho, Jordan River, Jotbathah, Kadesh-barnea, Kehelathah, Kibroth-hattaavah, Libnah, Makheloth, Marah, Migdol, Mithkah, Moab, Moseroth, Mount Hor, Mount Shepher, Nebo, Negev, Oboth, Pi-hahiroth, Punon, Rameses, Red Sea, Rephidim, Rimmon-perez, Rissah, Rithmah, Sinai, Succoth, Tahath, Terah, Zalmonah, ZinTopics Dispossess, Drive, Dwell, Dwelt, Heritage, Inhabitants, Possess, Possessed, Possession, Resting-place, Settle, Therein, YourselvesDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 33:50-56 7258 promised land, early history Numbers 33:53-54 4912 chance
5477 property, land Library Some Miscellaneous Matters Belonging to the Country About Jericho.
Let us begin from the last encampings of Israel beyond Jordan. Numbers 33:49: "They encamped near Jordan from Beth-jeshimoth unto Abel-shittim."--"From Beth-jeshimoth to Abel-shittim were twelve miles." It is a most received opinion among the Jews, that the tents of the Israelites in the wilderness contained a square of twelve miles. So the Targum of Jonathan, upon Number 2:2; "The encamping of Israel was twelve miles in length, and twelve miles in breadth." And the Gemarists say, "It is forbidden …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and HebraicaArbel. Shezor. Tarnegola the Upper.
"Arbel a city of Galilee."--There is mention of it in Hosea 10:14. But there are authors which do very differently interpret that place, viz. the Chaldee paraphrast, R. Solomon, Kimchi: consult them. It was between Zippor and Tiberias. Hence Nittai the Arbelite, who was president with Josua Ben Perahiah. The valley of Arbel is mentioned by the Talmudists. So also "The Arbelite Bushel." "Near Zephath in Upper Galilee was a town named Shezor, whence was R. Simeon Shezori: there he was buried. There …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Christ the Water of Life.
"Jesus answered and said unto her, Every one that drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up unto eternal life" (John iv. 13, 14). "Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink" (John vii. 37). "And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank …
Frank G. Allen—Autobiography of Frank G. Allen, Minister of the Gospel Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners:
A BRIEF AND FAITHFUL RELATION OF THE EXCEEDING MERCY OF GOD IN CHRIST TO HIS POOR SERVANT, JOHN BUNYAN; WHEREIN IS PARTICULARLY SHOWED THE MANNER OF HIS CONVERSION, HIS SIGHT AND TROUBLE FOR SIN, HIS DREADFUL TEMPTATIONS, ALSO HOW HE DESPAIRED OF GOD'S MERCY, AND HOW THE LORD AT LENGTH THROUGH CHRIST DID DELIVER HIM FROM ALL THE GUILT AND TERROR THAT LAY UPON HIM. Whereunto is added a brief relation of his call to the work of the ministry, of his temptations therein, as also what he hath met with …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Kadesh. Rekam, and that Double. Inquiry is Made, Whether the Doubling it in the Maps is Well Done.
The readers of the eastern interpreters will observe, that Kadesh is rendered by all Rekam, or in a sound very near it. In the Chaldee, it is 'Rekam': in the Syriac, 'Rekem': in the Arabic, 'Rakim'... There are two places noted by the name Rekam in the very bounds of the land,--to wit, the southern and eastern: that is, a double Kadesh. I. Of Kadesh, or Rekam, in the south part, there is no doubt. II. Of it, in the eastern part, there is this mention: "From Rekam to the east, and Rekam is as the …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Peaceable Principles and True: Or, a Brief Answer to Mr. D'Anver's and Mr. Paul's Books against My Confession of Faith, and Differences in Judgment About Baptism no Bar to Communion.
WHEREIN THEIR SCRIPTURELESS NOTIONS ARE OVERTHROWN, AND MY PEACEABLE PRINCIPLES STILL MAINTAINED. 'Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?'--Psalm 58:1 SIR, I have received and considered your short reply to my differences in judgment about water baptism no bar to communion; and observe, that you touch not the argument at all: but rather labour what you can, and beyond what you ought, to throw odiums upon your brother for reproving you for your error, …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 In Death and after Death
A sadder picture could scarcely be drawn than that of the dying Rabbi Jochanan ben Saccai, that "light of Israel" immediately before and after the destruction of the Temple, and for two years the president of the Sanhedrim. We read in the Talmud (Ber. 28 b) that, when his disciples came to see him on his death-bed, he burst into tears. To their astonished inquiry why he, "the light of Israel, the right pillar of the Temple, and its mighty hammer," betrayed such signs of fear, he replied: "If I were …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Numbers 33:53 NIVNumbers 33:53 NLTNumbers 33:53 ESVNumbers 33:53 NASBNumbers 33:53 KJV
Numbers 33:53 Commentaries
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