The term "possesses" in the biblical context often refers to ownership, control, or dominion over something or someone. It is a concept that appears throughout the Scriptures, illustrating both divine and human possession.

Divine Possession

God's ownership and sovereignty over all creation is a central theme in the Bible. Psalm 24:1 declares, "The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof, the world and all who dwell therein." This verse underscores the belief that everything in the universe belongs to God, who is the ultimate possessor of all things. Similarly, Deuteronomy 10:14 states, "Behold, to the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, and the earth and everything in it."

God's possession is not limited to the physical world but extends to His people. In Exodus 19:5 , God tells the Israelites, "Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine." This covenantal relationship highlights the special status of Israel as God's chosen people, whom He possesses in a unique and intimate way.

Human Possession

Human possession in the Bible often involves land, property, or wealth. The Promised Land is a significant example, as God promised it to Abraham and his descendants. Genesis 17:8 records God's promise: "And to you and your descendants I will give the land of your sojourn—all the land of Canaan—as an eternal possession; and I will be their God." This promise was fulfilled as the Israelites took possession of Canaan under Joshua's leadership.

Possession also pertains to spiritual inheritance. In the New Testament, believers are described as possessing eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. In John 3:36 , it is written, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life." This possession of eternal life is a present reality for believers, signifying a spiritual inheritance that transcends earthly possessions.

Possession and Responsibility

With possession comes responsibility. The Bible teaches that those who possess wealth or resources are to use them wisely and justly. In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), Jesus illustrates the importance of being faithful stewards of what God has entrusted to us. The servants who wisely invested their master's possessions were rewarded, while the one who did nothing with his talent faced judgment.

Moreover, possession of spiritual gifts and knowledge carries the responsibility to edify the church and glorify God. In 1 Peter 4:10 , believers are exhorted, "As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another."

Possession and Idolatry

The Bible warns against the dangers of idolatry, where possessions can become objects of worship. In Matthew 6:24 , Jesus teaches, "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." This admonition highlights the potential for possessions to distract from devotion to God.

In conclusion, the concept of possession in the Bible encompasses divine ownership, human stewardship, and the spiritual inheritance of believers. It calls for a recognition of God's ultimate sovereignty and a responsible approach to the resources and gifts entrusted to individuals.4416. prototokos -- first-born
... 16). [4416 () refers to "the first among others (who follow)" -- as with
the , the eternal who possesses life (Jn 5:26).]. firstborn ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4416.htm - 7k

644. aposkiasma -- a shadow
... But ( or !)because He Himself is His the ! Unlike a shadow, caused by
revolution, the Lord is and possesses all power and life . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/644.htm - 7k

2192. echo -- to have, hold
... 1), maintaining (1), meets (1), nearby (1), next (2), obliged* (1), obtain (2),
obtained (1), owned (3), possess (2), possessed (4), possesses (1), receive (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2192.htm - 11k

5224. huparchonta -- goods, that which one has, things which one ...
... Transliteration: huparchonta Phonetic Spelling: (hoop-ar'-khon-tah) Short Definition:
goods, property Definition: things which one possesses, goods, property ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5224.htm - 6k

5157. nachal -- to get or take as a possession
... 8), inherited (3), inherits (1), leaves an inheritance (1), possess (2), possess
them as an inheritance (1), possessed (1), possesses (1), possession (2 ...
/hebrew/5157.htm - 7k

Showing How one Possesses God in Union and Rest, Above all ...
... THE SECOND BOOK CHAPTER LIX. SHOWING HOW ONE POSSESSES GOD IN UNION AND
REST, ABOVE ALL LIKENESS THROUGH GRACE. This meeting and ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter lix showing how one.htm

Showing How God Possesses and Moves the Soul Both in a Natural and ...
... THE SECOND BOOK CHAPTER XLIX. SHOWING HOW GOD POSSESSES AND MOVES THE SOUL
BOTH IN A NATURAL AND A SUPERNATURAL WAY. Now mark well ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter xlix showing how god.htm

Human Nature Possesses an Adaptation for Perfection; the Gnostic ...
... The Stromata, or Miscellanies. Book VI. Chapter XII."Human Nature Possesses
an Adaptation for Perfection; The Gnostic Alone Attains It. ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xii human nature possesses an.htm

Whether a Man May Make Oblations of Whatever He Lawfully Possesses ...
... OF OBLATIONS AND FIRST-FRUITS (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether a man may make oblations
of whatever he lawfully possesses? Objection 1: It ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a man may make.htm

Now Whereas we Said that the Eastern Churches, in their Delivery ...
... In like manner, also, it is to be understood of the Lord, that He is one Lord, Jesus
Christ, by or through Whom God the Father possesses dominion over all ...
/.../5 now whereas we said.htm

The Communion of Gifts.
... Jesus has us, and we have Him. He possesses the saints, and they possess Him.
That He possesses them is their only comfort in life and death. ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxvii the communion of gifts.htm

A Caution against Bigotry
... of darkness. As the Holy Spirit possesses the souls of good men, so the
evil spirit possesses the souls of the wicked. Hence it ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 38 a caution against.htm

Fruits and the Two Works.
... When man possesses the love of God in his heart he will love his enemies. ... When man
possesses the love of God he does not love the world.1 John 2:15-17. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter vi fruits and the.htm

Concerning "Wisdom," "Mind," "Reason," "Truth," "Faith. "
... And their intuitive faculty and activity shines in its unalloyed and undefiled purity
and possesses its Divine intuitions all together in an indivisible and ...
/.../rolt/dionysius the areopagite/chapter vii concerning wisdom mind.htm

Showing How Some Men Live Contrary to These Exercises
... This rest is wholly contrary to the supernatural rest, which one possesses in God;
for that is a loving self-mergence joined to a simple gazing into the ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter lxvi showing how some.htm

Possesses (7 Occurrences)
...Possesses (7 Occurrences). ... Keep yourselves from covetousness, for a man's life
doesn't consist of the abundance of the things which he possesses." (WEB). ...
/p/possesses.htm - 8k

Justification (6 Occurrences)
... Surety, Jesus Christ (Romans 10:3-9). Justification is not the forgiveness of a
man without righteousness, but a declaration that he possesses a righteousness ...
/j/justification.htm - 43k

Lawgiver (7 Occurrences)
... not the lawgiver. God is the lawgiver, and therefore possesses the right
to pronounce judgment (compare Isaiah, supra). The word ...
/l/lawgiver.htm - 13k

Potentate (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) One who possesses great power or sway; a prince,
sovereign, or monarch. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. POTENTATE. ...
/p/potentate.htm - 7k

Covetousness (22 Occurrences)
... (2) The wish to have more than one possesses, inordinately, of course (pleonexia),
eg Luke 12:15 1 Thessalonians 2:5. (3) An inordinate love of money ...
/c/covetousness.htm - 18k

Possessed (100 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 2:8 a wisdom which not one of the leaders of the present age possesses,
for if they had possessed it, they would never have crucified the Lord of ...
/p/possessed.htm - 37k

Kinds (110 Occurrences)
... Keep yourselves from covetousness, for a man's life doesn't consist of the
abundance of the things which he possesses." (See NIV). ...
/k/kinds.htm - 36k

Leaders (167 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 2:8 a wisdom which not one of the leaders of the present age possesses,
for if they had possessed it, they would never have crucified the Lord of ...
/l/leaders.htm - 35k

Greed (19 Occurrences)
... Keep yourselves from covetousness, for a man's life doesn't consist of the
abundance of the things which he possesses." (See NAS NIV). ...
/g/greed.htm - 12k

Good (8348 Occurrences)
... 11. (n.) That which possesses desirable qualities, promotes success, welfare, or
happiness, is serviceable, fit, excellent, kind, benevolent, etc.; -- opposed ...
/g/good.htm - 26k

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