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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And ye shall dispossess {H3423} the inhabitants of the land {H776}, and dwell {H3427} therein: for I have given {H5414} you the land {H776} to possess {H3423} it.

Complete Jewish Bible

Drive out the inhabitants of the land, and live in it, for I have given the land to you to possess.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

and ye shall take possession of the land, and dwell therein; for unto you have I given the land to possess it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 33:53 delivers a crucial divine command to the Israelites, instructing them to dispossess the current inhabitants of Canaan and settle in the land. This directive, issued on the cusp of their entry into the Promised Land, underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to His ancient covenant promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, while simultaneously highlighting the necessary human obedience and active participation required to fully inherit the divine gift. It is a testament to God's sovereign provision and His call for His people to actively claim their inheritance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the final instructions given by God to Moses on the plains of Moab, as recorded in Numbers 33:50-56. This section serves as a climactic conclusion to the book of Numbers, which chronicles Israel's wilderness wanderings and preparations for entering Canaan. Immediately preceding this command, God outlines the boundaries of the Promised Land (Numbers 34) and provides detailed instructions regarding the division of the land among the tribes (Numbers 35-36). The command to dispossess and dwell is therefore not an isolated decree but an integral part of God's comprehensive plan for Israel's settlement, emphasizing the active role they must play in securing the inheritance that God has already granted them. It sets the stage for the book of Joshua, which details the fulfillment of this very command.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** After forty years of wandering in the wilderness, the generation that would enter Canaan stood poised on the eastern side of the Jordan River. The land of Canaan was already inhabited by various tribes (e.g., Amorites, Hittites, Jebusites, Perizzites, Hivites, Girgashites), who practiced polytheism, idolatry, and detestable rituals, including child sacrifice and cultic prostitution (cf. [Deuteronomy 12:29-31](/deuteronomy/12-29 "Deuteronomy 12:29-31 - Abominable Practices of the Nations")). In the ancient Near East, land was intrinsically linked to identity, security, and divine favor. The dispossession was not merely a military conquest but a theological imperative to establish a holy nation in a holy land, free from the corrupting influences of the surrounding cultures. This act was also an execution of divine judgment against the inhabitants whose "iniquity was not yet complete" (cf. [Genesis 15:16](/genesis/15-16 "Genesis 15:16 - The Iniquity of the Amorites")).
* **Key Themes:** Numbers 33:53 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. It powerfully reinforces the theme of **Divine Faithfulness** by reiterating God's commitment to the covenant made with Abraham, promising his descendants a land (e.g., [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise to Abram"), [Genesis 15:18-21](/genesis/15-18 "Genesis 15:18-21 - The Covenant of the Land")). The verse also highlights the **Divine Mandate** for Israel to actively "dispossess" and "dwell," emphasizing that while the land is a gift, its full **Inheritance and Possession** requires human obedience and effort. This command is inextricably linked to the theme of **Holiness and Purity**, as the dispossession of the Canaanites was necessary to prevent Israel from being defiled by their idolatrous practices, thus maintaining the sanctity of the covenant relationship with Yahweh (cf. [Exodus 34:15-16](/exodus/34-15 "Exodus 34:15-16 - Warning Against Idolatry")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Dispossess (Hebrew, _yarash'_):** This verb carries a dual meaning, signifying both "to inherit" or "to take possession of" and "to dispossess" or "to drive out." In this context, the active sense of driving out is paramount, emphasizing that for Israel to fully inherit and dwell in the land, they first had to actively remove those who currently occupied it. It wasn't merely vacant land they were entering, but territory held by others, requiring a forceful act of taking. This dual meaning underscores the active, dynamic nature of receiving God's promises.
* **Land (Hebrew, _'eretz'_):** More than just geographical territory, the "land" in this context is the Promised Land of Canaan, a central element of God's covenant with Abraham. It represents God's specific provision, a place of rest, blessing, and the fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant. Its possession signifies God's faithfulness and Israel's identity as His chosen people, living under His direct rule and blessing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And ye shall dispossess [the inhabitants] of the land":** This is a direct, imperative command from God, conveyed through Moses. The phrase "dispossess [the inhabitants]" (the bracketed addition clarifies the implied object in the KJV) explicitly states the active and necessary action required of Israel. It implies military engagement and the forceful removal of the existing Canaanite populations. This was not an optional suggestion but a non-negotiable prerequisite for their settlement, crucial for both their physical security and spiritual purity.
* **"and dwell therein":** This clause presents the desired outcome and purpose of the dispossession. Once the land is cleared of its idolatrous inhabitants, Israel is to settle and establish their lives there. This signifies the fulfillment of God's promise of a permanent dwelling place, a place of rest and security after generations of nomadic existence and wilderness wandering. It speaks to the establishment of their national identity and the realization of their inheritance.
* **"for I have given you the land to possess it":** This final clause provides the divine rationale and theological foundation for the command. The land is not something Israel earns or conquers by their own might alone; it is a divine gift ("I have given you"). Their act of "possessing it" is a response of obedience and faith to God's prior sovereign act of giving. This highlights God's initiative and ultimate ownership, making Israel's role that of stewards and inheritors of a divine bequest. The command is rooted in God's faithfulness to His covenant promises.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 33:53 is rich in **Imperative Language**, with direct commands ("ye shall dispossess," "dwell") emphasizing the divine authority and the non-negotiable nature of the instruction. The verse also employs **Covenant Language**, particularly in the phrase "I have given you the land to possess it," which echoes the foundational promises made to the patriarchs regarding the land. There is a clear **Cause and Effect** relationship established: dispossession leads to dwelling, which is predicated on God's prior gift. The **Repetition** of the root `yarash` (dispossess/possess) underscores the active and reciprocal nature of Israel's role in claiming their inheritance—they must actively remove to actively receive. Furthermore, the land itself functions as a powerful **Symbolism** of God's faithfulness, His provision, and the tangible manifestation of His covenant blessings.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 33:53 stands as a pivotal expression of God's sovereign plan, demonstrating His faithfulness to His ancient covenant promises while simultaneously demanding human obedience and participation. It underscores the principle that divine promises, while freely given, often require active, sometimes challenging, steps of faith and obedience to be fully realized. The command to dispossess the inhabitants was not merely a military strategy but a theological necessity for the preservation of Israel's unique identity as God's holy people, guarding them from the corrupting influences of pagan idolatry and practices. This act of judgment against the Canaanites also illustrates God's righteousness and His patience, as their iniquity had reached its full measure. For Israel, taking possession of the land was an act of worship, acknowledging God as the ultimate giver and owner of all things.

* [Deuteronomy 9:4-5](/deuteronomy/9-4 "Deuteronomy 9:4-5 - Not Because of Your Righteousness")
* [Joshua 1:3](/joshua/1-3 "Joshua 1:3 - Every Place Your Footsteps Tread")
* [Psalm 44:2-3](/psalm/44-2 "Psalm 44:2-3 - God's Hand, Not Our Sword")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 33:53 serves as a profound reminder that God's promises are not passive entitlements but invitations to active partnership. While we are not called to physically dispossess people from land today, the spiritual principles embedded in this command remain powerfully relevant for believers. Just as God gave Israel a physical inheritance, He has bestowed upon us a rich spiritual inheritance in Christ, including spiritual blessings, freedom from sin's dominion, and the promise of eternal life. To "possess" these spiritual realities often requires us to actively "dispossess" the spiritual "inhabitants" of our lives—sinful habits, worldly mindsets, spiritual strongholds, and anything that hinders our full walk with God. This involves intentional repentance, reliance on the Holy Spirit, and active obedience to God's Word. Our spiritual growth and experience of God's fullness are often contingent upon our willingness to confront and remove those things that oppose His will in our hearts and lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "inhabitants" or spiritual strongholds might be preventing me from fully possessing the spiritual inheritance God has given me in Christ?**
* **In what areas of my life am I called to actively "dispossess" or remove things that are not aligned with God's will?**
* **How does this verse encourage me to trust in God's faithfulness even when the path to His promises requires difficult or challenging actions?**
* **What does it mean for me to "dwell" in the spiritual "land" God has given me, experiencing His rest and presence?**

### FAQ
**Was the command to dispossess the inhabitants an act of ethnic cleansing or divine injustice?**

Answer: The command to dispossess the Canaanites, while appearing harsh through modern lenses, must be understood within its specific historical, cultural, and theological context. It was not an act of arbitrary ethnic cleansing but a divinely ordained judgment against peoples whose "iniquity was not yet complete" ([Genesis 15:16](/genesis/15-16 "Genesis 15:16 - The Iniquity of the Amorites")). The Canaanite cultures were deeply entrenched in practices abhorrent to God, including widespread idolatry, child sacrifice, and cultic prostitution (cf. [Leviticus 18:24-28](/leviticus/18-24 "Leviticus 18:24-28 - Defilement of the Land")). God, as the sovereign Lord of all nations, has the right to execute judgment. This judgment was also a necessary measure to preserve the purity of Israel, preventing them from being corrupted by these detestable practices and ensuring the lineage through which the Messiah would eventually come. It was a unique, historical, and redemptive act within God's unfolding plan, not a universal mandate for all time or a justification for human-initiated violence against other peoples.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 33:53, with its emphasis on a promised land and the necessity of dispossessing enemies to possess it, finds its ultimate and spiritual fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The physical land of Canaan, a place of rest and inheritance for Israel, foreshadows the spiritual inheritance and eternal rest believers receive in Christ (cf. [Hebrews 4:9-10](/hebrews/4-9 "Hebrews 4:9-10 - A Sabbath Rest for the People of God")). Just as God "gave" Israel the land, He has "given" us all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in Christ (cf. [Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ")). The "dispossession" of the Canaanites, who represented spiritual and moral corruption, prefigures Christ's decisive victory over sin, death, and the spiritual powers of darkness (cf. [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). Through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection, Jesus has disarmed and dispossessed our true spiritual enemies, enabling us to "dwell" in a new spiritual reality—the kingdom of God—where we are no longer slaves to sin but heirs of grace (cf. [Romans 6:6-7](/romans/6-6 "Romans 6:6-7 - Our Old Self Crucified")). Our "possession" of this spiritual inheritance is not by physical conquest but by faith in Christ, through whom we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to overcome the lingering influences of sin in our lives and walk in the freedom of our new identity (cf. [2 Corinthians 10:4-5](/2_corinthians/10-4 "2 Corinthians 10:4-5 - Weapons of Our Warfare")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 11:31

For ye shall pass over Jordan to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God giveth you, and ye shall possess it, and dwell therein.

Joshua 21:43

¶ And the LORD gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein.

Deuteronomy 32:8

When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.

Daniel 4:17

This matter [is] by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.

Psalms 24:1

¶ A Psalm of David. The earth [is] the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

Psalms 24:2

For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.

Jeremiah 27:5

I have made the earth, the man and the beast that [are] upon the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto me.