Numbers 33:56

Translation
King James Version
Moreover it shall come to pass, that I shall do unto you, as I thought to do unto them.
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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.
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Complete Jewish Bible
And in this event, I will do to you what I intended to do to them."
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Berean Standard Bible
And then I will do to you what I had planned to do to them.”
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American Standard Version
And it shall come to pass, that, as I thought to do unto them, so will I do unto you.
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World English Bible Messianic
It shall happen that as I thought to do to them, so will I do to you.”
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Geneva Bible (1599)
Moreouer, it shall come to passe, that I shall doe vnto you, as I thought to do vnto them.
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Young's Literal Translation
and it hath come to pass, as I thought to do to them--I do to you.'
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See also
Luke 21:23Luke 21:24Deuteronomy 28:632 Chronicles 36:172 Chronicles 36:20Leviticus 18:28Ezekiel 33:24
In the KJVVerse 4,817 of 31,102

Study This Verse

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 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, 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. This final pronouncement in the chapter serves as a stark transition, setting the stage for the detailed laws and instructions for life in the land that follow in subsequent chapters of Numbers.
  • 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 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. This historical moment was a pivotal test of their faithfulness, determining whether they would truly embody God's distinct people.
  • Key Themes: Numbers 33:56 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, as seen in the broader warnings of Deuteronomy 28. 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. This theme is foundational to the Mosaic Covenant, detailed in passages like Leviticus 26. 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, a message echoed by Joshua in Joshua 23. 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, ʻâsâh', H6213): This verb, H6213, is a primitive root meaning "to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application." It signifies God's active, decisive, and complete execution of a plan or judgment. In this context, it conveys the certainty and thoroughness of His action. When God declares "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, emphasizing that His word is always accompanied by His power to accomplish it.
  • thought (Hebrew, dâmâh', H1819): The Hebrew word, H1819, is a primitive root meaning "to compare; by implication, to resemble, liken, consider; devise, (be) like(-n), mean, think, use similitudes." 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 (Genesis 15:16). 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. It implies a divine comparison, where Israel would become like the Canaanites in their rebellion and thus receive a like judgment.

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. It sets a tone of divine decree rather than mere suggestion.
  • "[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, emphasizing their unique accountability due to their privileged relationship with Yahweh.
  • "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. This clause highlights God's consistent justice, applying the same standard to all who persist in rebellion.

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). 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, functioning almost as a Proverbial Statement due to its concise and universal applicability of divine justice.

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. This principle of reciprocal justice for covenant disobedience is a cornerstone of Old Testament theology, explaining much of Israel's subsequent history of exile and restoration.

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. Our spiritual inheritance in Christ is secure, but our experience of its fullness and our effectiveness in God's kingdom are deeply tied to our ongoing sanctification and obedience.

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, recognizing that true freedom comes from aligning with His will?

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), 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). 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. This principle is further elaborated in the blessings and curses of Deuteronomy 28, where the consequences of disobedience are clearly laid out for Israel.

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) and "put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians 4:24). The "thorns in your sides" of Numbers 33:55 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), which wage war against the soul. 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, as vividly described in Revelation 20:11-15. 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), 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). 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, where a believer's works may be burned up, but they themselves are saved.

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Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers . Public domain.
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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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