TRV
“Instructions for the Conquest of Canaan”· Numbers 33:50–56
Translation
King James Version
But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell.
KJV (with Strong's)
But if ye will not drive out H3423 the inhabitants H3427 of the land H776 from before H6440 you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain H3498 of them shall be pricks H7899 in your eyes H5869, and thorns H6796 in your sides H6654, and shall vex H6887 you in the land H776 wherein ye dwell H3427.
Complete Jewish Bible
But if you don't drive out the inhabitants of the land from in front of you, then those you allow to remain will become like thorns in your eyes and stings in your sides - they will harass you in the land where you are living.
Berean Standard Bible
But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land before you, those you allow to remain will become barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides; they will harass you in the land where you settle.
American Standard Version
But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then shall those that ye let remain of them be as pricks in your eyes, and as thorns in your sides, and they shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell.
World English Bible Messianic
“But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then those you let remain of them will be as pricks in your eyes and as thorns in your sides, and they will harass you in the land in which you dwell.
Geneva Bible (1599)
But if ye will not driue out the inhabitants of the land before you, then those which yee let ramaine of them, shalbe prickes in your eyes, and thornes in your sides, and shall vexe you in the land wherein ye dwell.
Young's Literal Translation
`And if ye do not dispossess the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it hath been, those whom ye let remain of them, are for pricks in your eyes, and for thorns in your sides, and they have distressed you on the land in which ye are dwelling,
In the KJVVerse 4,816 of 31,102 · 15.5%
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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Summary
Numbers 33:55 issues a solemn divine warning to the Israelites as they stand on the precipice of entering the Promised Land. It unequivocally declares that if they fail to completely dispossess the existing inhabitants as commanded, those allowed to remain will become a persistent source of pain, irritation, and oppression, thereby hindering their peace and prosperity in the land God has graciously bestowed upon them. This verse profoundly underscores the critical importance of absolute obedience to God's commands and vividly illustrates the severe, self-inflicted consequences that inevitably arise from compromise and partial obedience.
Context
Literary Context
Numbers 33:55 serves as a climactic and urgent warning within the concluding chapters of the Book of Numbers, specifically following a detailed itinerary of Israel's forty-year wilderness wanderings, which emphasizes God's faithful guidance (Numbers 33:1-49). Immediately preceding this verse, God reiterates the foundational command for Israel to drive out all the inhabitants of Canaan, destroy their idols, and divide the land by lot (Numbers 33:50-54). This warning, therefore, is not an isolated directive but the emphatic consequence of failing to obey a non-negotiable mandate crucial for their secure possession and spiritual purity in the land. It acts as a pivotal transition, setting the stage for the Book of Deuteronomy, which further expounds on the covenant stipulations and the blessings or curses associated with obedience or disobedience, and tragically foreshadows the narrative of compromise and its dire results found throughout the Book of Judges.
Historical & Cultural Context
At the time of this pronouncement, the Israelites were encamped on the eastern bank of the Jordan River, poised to enter the land of Canaan, which God had promised to Abraham centuries earlier (Genesis 12:7). Canaan was populated by various peoples, including the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, who were deeply entrenched in idolatry, child sacrifice, and various forms of moral depravity (as detailed in Deuteronomy 18:9-12). God's command for their utter dispossesssion was not arbitrary but a vital protective measure designed to preserve Israel's spiritual purity and their unique covenant relationship with Him. The prevailing cultural norms of the ancient Near East often involved syncretism, where conquering nations would assimilate the gods and religious practices of the conquered peoples. God explicitly forbade this for Israel, recognizing the potent corrupting influence of pagan religious practices and moral standards. Failure to drive them out meant allowing a constant spiritual and moral contagion to remain within their midst, threatening their very identity as God's chosen people.
Key Themes
This verse powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes central to the Pentateuch and the subsequent history of Israel. Primarily, it highlights the imperative of complete obedience to God's revealed will; anything less is considered disobedience with dire consequences. It vividly illustrates the consequences of compromise, demonstrating that partial obedience is not only insufficient but actively detrimental, leading to ongoing affliction rather than peace and prosperity. Furthermore, the command to drive out the inhabitants underscores the theme of spiritual purity and the necessity of removing all influences that could corrupt Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh. The "pricks" and "thorns" symbolize the persistent vexation, moral erosion, and spiritual backsliding that result from tolerating sin or ungodly influences, a theme tragically borne out in the cycles of apostasy and oppression seen in the Book of Judges. Ultimately, the verse speaks to the nature of God's holiness and His demand for an undivided heart and singular devotion from His people.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This primitive root signifies "to occupy by driving out previous tenants and possessing in their place." It implies not merely military conquest but complete dispossession, expulsion, and taking full possession. In this context, it underscores the divine mandate for Israel to utterly remove the existing inhabitants and their corrupting influences, ensuring a clean slate for their covenant life in the land.
This word means "to jut over or exceed," and by implication, "to remain or be left." When the text states "those which ye let remain," it emphasizes Israel's deliberate choice or failure to act, allowing a remnant of the Canaanites to persist. This highlights the human agency in the unfolding consequences, as the "remaining" is a direct result of their disobedience rather than an unavoidable circumstance.
This primitive root means "to cramp," "to bind up," or "to be in distress." It carries a strong connotation of being harassed, troubled, oppressed, or hemmed in. When applied to the remaining inhabitants, it signifies that they would not merely be annoying but would actively cause anguish, restrict freedom, and create a pervasive sense of trouble and hostility, transforming the promised land of rest into a place of constant conflict and suffering.
Verse Breakdown
"But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you;"
This opening clause establishes a clear and solemn condition, highlighting Israel's agency and profound responsibility. The imperative to "drive out" (yârash) implies not just military victory but complete dispossession and removal of all pagan cultures and their idolatrous practices. Failure to comply with this non-negotiable divine mandate is presented as the direct catalyst for the subsequent negative outcomes.
"then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them [shall be] pricks in your eyes,"
This is the first specific consequence of disobedience. The phrase "let remain" (yâthar) underscores Israel's deliberate choice to tolerate or compromise rather than fully obey God's command. The "pricks in your eyes" metaphorically describes a constant, irritating, and vision-impairing annoyance. It suggests that the remaining inhabitants would perpetually trouble Israel, causing spiritual and physical discomfort, and potentially blinding them to God's will or the dangers around them, hindering their ability to discern truth and walk in purity.
"and thorns in your sides,"
This second metaphor intensifies the imagery of affliction. "Thorns in your sides" represents a deeper, more embedded, and persistent source of pain and distress. It implies that the tolerated inhabitants would cause continuous, internal suffering, like a chronic ailment or a deeply lodged splinter. This foreshadows the constant warfare, pervasive idolatry, and moral corruption that plagued Israel due to their failure to fully obey, impacting their well-being and ability to thrive in the land.
"and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell."
This concluding clause summarizes and amplifies the overall impact of the compromise. The "vexing" (tsârar) signifies a state of ongoing harassment, oppression, and distress. It means that the very land intended for their rest, blessing, and prosperity would become a place of constant trouble and conflict, directly because of their disobedience. The divine promise of peace and security in the Promised Land would be severely undermined by their failure to cleanse it as commanded, leading to a perpetual state of unease and struggle.
Literary Devices
Numbers 33:55 employs powerful metaphorical language to convey its urgent warning. The imagery of "pricks in your eyes" and "thorns in your sides" are vivid metaphors for persistent irritation, deep-seated pain, and debilitating affliction. These are not literal physical objects but represent the constant trouble, moral corruption, and military threats that the remaining Canaanites would pose to Israel. The use of such strong, sensory language creates a visceral understanding of the consequences, making the divine warning profoundly impactful. The verse also functions as a prophetic warning, foretelling the future suffering of Israel if they deviate from God's command, a prophecy tragically fulfilled throughout the period of the Judges and beyond. The structure itself, presenting a clear "if... then..." scenario, is a form of conditional prophecy, emphasizing the direct link between obedience and blessing, and disobedience and curse.
Theological and Thematic Connections
This verse is profoundly theological, underscoring God's absolute demand for obedience and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people's purity and well-being. The command to dispossess the inhabitants was not merely a military strategy but a spiritual imperative to prevent idolatry and moral corruption, which would inevitably sever Israel's unique relationship with Yahweh. The "pricks" and "thorns" are divine consequences, not arbitrary punishments, but the natural outcome of allowing sin and ungodliness to fester within the community. They serve as a stark reminder that compromise with evil—whether external influences or internal temptations—will inevitably lead to spiritual and existential distress, hindering the experience of God's promised peace and blessing. This principle transcends the historical context, speaking to the believer's ongoing struggle against sin and the world, highlighting that true flourishing is predicated on radical obedience to God's holy standards.
Reflection and Application
Numbers 33:55, while rooted in ancient Israel's historical context, offers timeless spiritual truths for contemporary believers. It confronts us with the uncomfortable reality that partial obedience is, in God's eyes, disobedience, and that compromise with sin or worldly influences inevitably leads to pain and spiritual vexation. Just as the Canaanites posed a tangible threat to Israel's purity and peace, so too do unconfessed sins, unmortified desires, and ungodly habits threaten the believer's spiritual vitality and joy. This verse challenges us to identify and ruthlessly "drive out" those "inhabitants" within our own lives—any attitudes, behaviors, or relationships that contradict God's Word and hinder our walk with Him. The "pricks" and "thorns" we experience today often manifest as guilt, anxiety, spiritual barrenness, broken relationships, or a diminished sense of God's presence, all stemming from areas where we have chosen compromise over complete surrender. True spiritual freedom and flourishing come only when we commit to radical obedience, trusting that God's commands are always for our ultimate good and spiritual protection, leading us into the abundant life He intends.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides" truly mean in this context?
This vivid imagery is a powerful metaphor for the persistent and painful consequences of Israel's disobedience. "Pricks in your eyes" signifies constant irritation, annoyance, and a hindrance to clear spiritual vision or discernment. It suggests that the remaining inhabitants would be an unceasing source of trouble, making it difficult for Israel to see God's path clearly or enjoy peace. This could manifest as constant moral temptation, military incursions, or spiritual confusion. "Thorns in your sides" deepens this meaning, indicating a more profound, embedded, and continuous pain or affliction. Like a thorn that causes chronic discomfort, the tolerated pagan peoples would be a source of ongoing distress, conflict, and moral corruption, constantly vexing Israel and preventing them from experiencing the promised rest and prosperity in the land. This prophetic warning was tragically fulfilled as seen in Judges 2:2-3, where the Angel of the Lord declares that the remaining nations will be "thorns in your sides."
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
While Numbers 33:55 is a specific historical warning to Israel concerning their physical inheritance, its underlying principles find profound Christ-centered fulfillment and application for believers today. The "land wherein ye dwell" can be understood as the believer's heart, the spiritual life, or the church, which Christ has redeemed and sanctified. Just as Israel was commanded to drive out physical enemies, believers are called to "drive out" the spiritual "inhabitants" of sin, worldly desires, and ungodly patterns from their lives. Christ, through His death and resurrection, has decisively conquered sin and evil, disarming the spiritual powers that once held humanity captive (Colossians 2:15). He has provided the ultimate means for us to overcome the "pricks" and "thorns" of sin that would otherwise vex us. The New Testament calls believers to "put off the old man with his deeds" and "put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness" (Ephesians 4:22-24). We are exhorted to "mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth" (Colossians 3:5) and to "cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (2 Corinthians 7:1). The "vexation" that results from compromise with sin is overcome not by human strength, but by abiding in Christ, who empowers us to live in the spiritual "Promised Land" of His grace and truth, free from the dominion of sin (Romans 6:14). He is our ultimate deliverer and the source of our ability to live in radical obedience, leading to true peace and spiritual flourishing.