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Numbers 33:55

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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.

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}.

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.

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.

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.

Commentary

Numbers 33:55 serves as a solemn warning from God to the Israelites, delivered just before they were to enter and conquer the promised land of Canaan. This verse underscores the critical importance of complete obedience to divine commands and outlines the severe consequences of compromise.

Context

This verse is found at the end of the Book of Numbers, following a detailed account of Israel's encampments and journeys through the wilderness. As the nation prepares to cross the Jordan River and take possession of the land, God reiterates His instructions for their conduct in Canaan. A primary command, emphasized throughout the Pentateuch, was to utterly drive out the existing inhabitants to prevent idolatry and moral corruption. Numbers 33:55 is a direct admonition concerning the failure to fulfill this divine mandate to dispossess the Canaanites.

Key Themes

  • The Imperative of Obedience: God's command to drive out the inhabitants was non-negotiable. Partial obedience is highlighted as disobedience, leading to negative outcomes.
  • Consequences of Compromise: The verse vividly describes the painful and persistent trouble that would arise from allowing the pagan inhabitants to remain. This prophetic warning was tragically fulfilled in the history of Israel, as seen in the Book of Judges (Judges 2:2-3).
  • Spiritual Purity: The presence of foreign peoples and their idolatrous practices posed a constant threat to Israel's covenant relationship with God and their unique identity as His chosen people.
  • The Nature of Sin: The remaining inhabitants symbolize unaddressed sin or worldly influences that, if allowed to linger, will inevitably become a source of pain and spiritual vexation.

Linguistic Insights

The imagery used in this verse is powerfully descriptive:

  • "Pricks in your eyes": This phrase suggests something that causes constant irritation, pain, and potentially impairs vision. It implies a persistent annoyance that makes life difficult and prevents clear spiritual discernment.
  • "Thorns in your sides": This metaphor indicates deep, persistent pain and discomfort. Like a thorn embedded in the flesh, the remaining inhabitants would be a continuous source of affliction and distress.
  • "Shall vex you": The Hebrew word for "vex" (צָרַר, tsarar) implies to harass, trouble, oppress, or bind tightly. It conveys a sense of ongoing torment and distress, highlighting the severe and pervasive nature of the consequences of disobedience.

Practical Application

While the immediate context is historical Israel, Numbers 33:55 offers profound spiritual lessons for believers today:

  • Confronting Spiritual Compromise: Just as Israel was commanded to drive out physical enemies, believers are called to confront and remove spiritual "inhabitants" – such as sin, worldly desires, and ungodly habits – from their lives. Partial obedience or compromise with sin will inevitably lead to spiritual pain and hinder growth (Ephesians 4:22-24).
  • The Cost of Indecision: This verse serves as a reminder that allowing spiritual "thorns" to remain will cause ongoing distress and prevent us from fully experiencing the peace and blessings of God's presence.
  • The Importance of Complete Obedience: True spiritual freedom and flourishing come from a commitment to complete obedience to God's Word, trusting in His wisdom and His commands for our good.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Judges 2:3 (15 votes)

    Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be [as thorns] in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you.

  • Psalms 106:34 (11 votes)

    ¶ They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the LORD commanded them:

  • Psalms 106:36 (11 votes)

    And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them.

  • Joshua 23:12 (10 votes)

    Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, [even] these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you:

  • Joshua 23:13 (10 votes)

    Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out [any of] these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.

  • Deuteronomy 7:16 (10 votes)

    And thou shalt consume all the people which the LORD thy God shall deliver thee; thine eye shall have no pity upon them: neither shalt thou serve their gods; for that [will be] a snare unto thee.

  • Deuteronomy 7:4 (8 votes)

    For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly.