Numbers 33:56

KJV

Moreover it shall come to pass, [that] I shall do unto you, as I thought to do unto them.

KJV (with Strong's)

Moreover it shall come to pass, that I shall do {H6213} unto you, as I thought {H1819} to do {H6213} unto them.

Complete Jewish Bible

And in this event, I will do to you what I intended to do to them."

Berean Standard Bible

And then I will do to you what I had planned to do to them.”

American Standard Version

And it shall come to pass, that, as I thought to do unto them, so will I do unto you.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 33:56 delivers a severe and pivotal warning to the Israelites, positioned just before their entry into the Promised Land. It unequivocally states that if they fail to fully dispossess and destroy the idolatrous inhabitants of Canaan as commanded, God will turn the very judgment and displacement intended for those nations upon Israel themselves. This verse underscores the absolute necessity of obedience to divine commands for the secure possession of their inheritance, highlighting God's unwavering justice and the dire consequences of covenant unfaithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the climactic warning at the end of Numbers chapter 33, which meticulously details the Israelites' entire forty-year wilderness journey from Egypt to the plains of Moab. Following a comprehensive itinerary of their encampments, God provides Moses with explicit instructions for the conquest and settlement of Canaan. Specifically, [Numbers 33:52-53](/numbers/33-52 "Numbers 33:52-53 - God's Command to Dispossess") commands the Israelites to drive out all the inhabitants, destroy their carved images and molten idols, and possess the land by lot according to their clans. The immediate preceding verse, [Numbers 33:55](/numbers/33-55 "Numbers 33:55 - The Warning of Thorns and Pricks"), issues a direct warning: if they do not drive out the inhabitants, those who remain will become "pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides," vexing them in the land where they dwell. Verse 56 then escalates this warning, presenting the ultimate, reciprocal consequence of such disobedience, sealing the fate of Israel with the same judgment intended for the Canaanites.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites stood on the cusp of entering Canaan, a land promised to their ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This land was inhabited by various peoples—Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—who practiced idolatry, child sacrifice, and various forms of immorality, which were an abomination to Yahweh. God's command to dispossess them was not merely territorial but theological, intended to prevent Israel from being corrupted by these pagan practices and to establish a holy nation in a holy land. The concept of "holy war" in the ancient Near East often involved the complete destruction of enemies and their religious artifacts, a practice known as *herem*. While God's command to Israel had parallels, its primary purpose was the preservation of Israel's covenant purity and the establishment of His kingdom on earth. The warning in [Numbers 33:56](/numbers/33-56 "Numbers 33:56 - The Reciprocal Warning") underscores that Israel's continued presence and prosperity in the land were contingent upon their adherence to God's standards, not merely their military might.

* **Key Themes:** [Numbers 33:56](/numbers/33-56 "Numbers 33:56 - The Reciprocal Warning") powerfully reinforces several overarching themes found throughout the Pentateuch and the Book of Numbers. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Justice and Retribution**, demonstrating God's consistent character: the judgment He intended for the idolatrous Canaanites, if not executed by Israel, would be turned upon Israel itself. This emphasizes God's unwavering standard of holiness and justice, which applies equally to His covenant people. Secondly, the verse illustrates the severe **Consequences of Disobedience**. Failure to complete the task of spiritual and physical cleansing of the land would result in God treating Israel as He would have treated their enemies, underscoring that blessings are conditional upon obedience. Thirdly, it speaks to **Covenant Faithfulness**. Israel's possession and enjoyment of the Promised Land were not unconditional but were tied directly to their fidelity to the Mosaic Covenant. This warning served as a potent call to faithfulness, reminding them that their inheritance was secure only through sustained obedience. Finally, it presents a clear **Warning and Choice**, laying bare the stakes for the new generation: obey and secure their inheritance, or disobey and face displacement and affliction, mirroring the fate of the nations they were meant to dispossess.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Do (Hebrew, _'asah'_):** This verb, עָשָׂה, is a broad term meaning "to do, make, accomplish, perform, execute." In this context, it signifies God's active, decisive, and complete execution of a plan or judgment. The emphasis is on the certainty and thoroughness of His action. When God says "I shall do," it implies an irreversible and comprehensive fulfillment of His stated intention, whether for blessing or, as here, for judgment. It underscores divine sovereignty and the effectiveness of His decree.
* **Thought (Hebrew, _chashav'_):** The Hebrew word חָשַׁב means "to think, plan, devise, reckon, intend." It indicates a deliberate and preconceived plan or intention. God's judgment upon the Canaanites was not an impulsive reaction but a long-standing, just decree based on their accumulated iniquity (cf. [Genesis 15:16](/genesis/15-16 "Genesis 15:16 - Iniquity of the Amorites")). The use of "thought" here highlights the premeditated nature of divine justice and the seriousness of the warning: God's original, just plan for the Canaanites would simply be redirected to Israel if they mirrored the Canaanites' unfaithfulness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Moreover it shall come to pass":** This introductory phrase signals a solemn declaration of future events, emphasizing the certainty and inevitability of what follows. It acts as a divine pronouncement, indicating that the consequences are not merely possibilities but will assuredly materialize if the conditions (or lack thereof) are met.
* **"[that] I shall do unto you":** This clause reveals the subject of the action: God Himself. The divine "I" underscores God's direct involvement and personal agency in executing judgment. The phrase "unto you" directly addresses Israel, making the warning intensely personal and immediate. It signifies that the consequences of their disobedience will be directly experienced by the covenant people.
* **"as I thought to do unto them":** This is the crucial comparative element. "Them" refers to the inhabitants of the land whom Israel was commanded to dispossess and destroy due to their wickedness and idolatry. The phrase "as I thought to do" points to God's pre-existing, just decree against these nations. The terrifying implication is that Israel, if disobedient, would suffer a fate identical to those whom God had condemned—displacement, destruction, and loss of their promised inheritance.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 33:56 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its urgent message. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically a form of **Antithetical Parallelism** or **Divine Reciprocity**. The verse sets up a direct comparison between God's intended action "unto them" (the Canaanites) and His potential action "unto you" (Israel). This stark juxtaposition highlights the principle that if Israel fails to fulfill their covenant obligations, they will become indistinguishable in God's eyes from the very nations they were meant to displace. This creates a chilling symmetry where Israel's fate mirrors that of their enemies. The verse also functions as a potent **Conditional Statement**, though the "if" is implied from the preceding verse ([Numbers 33:55](/numbers/33-55 "Numbers 33:55 - The Warning of Thorns and Pricks")). The consequence is stated with absolute certainty, making it a definitive **Warning** that underscores the **Sovereignty of God** in executing His justice. The brevity and directness of the statement contribute to its impact, making it a memorable and severe pronouncement of divine judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 33:56 is a profound statement on divine justice, covenant fidelity, and the conditional nature of blessing within the Old Covenant. It reveals God's unwavering commitment to holiness and His intolerance for sin, even among His chosen people. The principle articulated here—that disobedience can lead to the very judgment intended for the wicked—is a recurring theme throughout biblical history, demonstrating that God is no respecter of persons when it comes to upholding His righteous standards. This verse serves as a stark reminder that privilege (being God's chosen people) does not exempt one from accountability; rather, it increases it. The land was a gift, but its possession was conditional upon faithful obedience to the covenant, particularly in maintaining spiritual purity and avoiding the abominations of the surrounding nations.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Leviticus 18:24-28](/leviticus/18-24 "Leviticus 18:24-28 - The Land Vomits Out Its Inhabitants")
* [Joshua 23:15-16](/joshua/23-15 "Joshua 23:15-16 - Joshua's Final Warning")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 33:56 stands as a timeless and sobering reminder that God's standards of holiness and justice are immutable, applying equally to all, including those in covenant relationship with Him. For believers today, this verse calls for a profound spiritual diligence. Just as Israel was commanded to clear the land of spiritual pollutants—idolatry and wickedness—we are called to actively identify and remove "thorns" and "pricks" from our own lives. These are the sins, compromises, ungodly influences, or unconfessed habits that, if tolerated, can hinder our spiritual walk, vex our souls, and ultimately lead to spiritual consequences that mirror the judgment God has for unrighteousness. This isn't about earning salvation, but about living out the implications of our new life in Christ. It challenges us to examine our hearts for any areas where we might be tolerating "Canaanites"—patterns of thought or behavior that are contrary to God's will—and to pursue radical obedience, knowing that true freedom and spiritual flourishing come from wholeheartedly aligning with God's commands.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "thorns" or "pricks"—ungodly influences, habits, or unconfessed sins—might I be tolerating in my own life that God calls me to remove?**
* **How does the principle of divine reciprocity in Numbers 33:56 challenge my understanding of God's justice and His expectations for His people?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be neglecting God's clear commands, and what spiritual consequences might I be inviting as a result?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater sense of spiritual diligence and radical obedience in my daily walk with Christ?**

### FAQ
**What does "as I thought to do unto them" mean in the context of Numbers 33:56?**

Answer: This phrase means that God's original, pre-determined plan of judgment and destruction for the idolatrous Canaanite nations, due to their profound wickedness, would be redirected and applied to Israel if they failed to obey God's command to dispossess these nations and remove their abominable practices from the land. It highlights God's unwavering justice: the same standard of judgment applied to the wicked would be applied to His own people if they mirrored the Canaanites' unfaithfulness and tolerated their evil. This concept is rooted in earlier divine declarations, such as God's promise to Abraham that the Amorites' iniquity was not yet complete ([Genesis 15:16](/genesis/15-16 "Genesis 15:16 - Iniquity of the Amorites")), implying a future judgment that Israel was meant to execute.

**Was God being unfair by threatening Israel with the same judgment as the Canaanites?**

Answer: No, God was not being unfair. This warning underscores God's absolute righteousness and consistency. The Canaanites were judged for their extreme wickedness, idolatry, and moral depravity (e.g., child sacrifice, sexual perversions, as detailed in [Leviticus 18](/leviticus/18 "Leviticus 18 - Prohibited Sexual Relations")). Israel, as God's covenant people, was given a clear command to eradicate these practices and their practitioners from the land to prevent corruption. If Israel chose to tolerate or adopt these abominations, they would effectively become no different from the Canaanites in God's eyes, thus deserving the same righteous judgment. It was a matter of divine justice applied consistently, demonstrating that God's holiness demands purity from all, especially those He has called into a special relationship.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 33:56, while a stern warning under the Old Covenant, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Testament's call to spiritual purity and the consequences of rejecting Christ. The "land" for the believer is no longer a physical territory but the spiritual inheritance in Christ, a life lived in communion with God, free from the dominion of sin. Just as Israel was commanded to drive out the "Canaanites" (idolatry, wickedness) from their physical land, believers are called to "put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires" ([Ephesians 4:22](/ephesians/4-22 "Ephesians 4:22 - Put Off the Old Self")). The "thorns in your sides" of [Numbers 33:55](/numbers/33-55 "Numbers 33:55 - The Warning of Thorns and Pricks") find resonance in the spiritual battles against "the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life" ([1_john/2-16](/1_john/2-16 "1 John 2:16 - Desires of the Flesh")). The judgment God "thought to do unto them" (the unrighteous) is ultimately fulfilled in the final judgment against all who reject Christ and persist in sin ([Revelation 20:11-15](/revelation/20-11 "Revelation 20:11-15 - The Great White Throne Judgment")). However, for those in Christ, the curse of the law and the judgment for sin have been borne by the Lamb of God ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")), allowing us to live in the freedom of the Spirit and to actively "put to death therefore what is earthly in you" ([Colossians 3:5](/colossians/3-5 "Colossians 3:5 - Put to Death Earthly Things")). Thus, the warning transforms into an exhortation for believers to live out their new identity in Christ, actively crucifying the flesh and its desires, lest they fall back into patterns that lead to spiritual barrenness and loss of reward, though not loss of salvation itself, as seen in passages like [1 Corinthians 3:15](/1_corinthians/3-15 "1 Corinthians 3:15 - Salvation Through Fire").

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

Luke 21:23

But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.

Luke 21:24

And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

Deuteronomy 28:63

And it shall come to pass, [that] as the LORD rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you; so the LORD will rejoice over you to destroy you, and to bring you to nought; and ye shall be plucked from off the land whither thou goest to possess it.

2 Chronicles 36:17

Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: he gave [them] all into his hand.

2 Chronicles 36:20

And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon; where they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia:

Leviticus 18:28

That the land spue not you out also, when ye defile it, as it spued out the nations that [were] before you.

Ezekiel 33:24

Son of man, they that inhabit those wastes of the land of Israel speak, saying, Abraham was one, and he inherited the land: but we [are] many; the land is given us for inheritance.