King James Version

What Does Numbers 33:55 Mean?

Numbers 33:55 in the King James Version says “But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which y... — study this verse from Numbers chapter 33 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Numbers 33:55 · KJV


Context

53

And ye shall dispossess the inhabitants of the land, and dwell therein: for I have given you the land to possess it.

54

And ye shall divide the land by lot for an inheritance among your families: and to the more ye shall give the more inheritance, and to the fewer ye shall give the less inheritance: every man's inheritance shall be in the place where his lot falleth; according to the tribes of your fathers ye shall inherit. give the more: Heb. multiply his inheritance give the less: Heb. diminish his inheritance

55

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.

56

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


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God warns: if Israel fails to drive out Canaan's inhabitants, '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.' The vivid metaphors - pricks, thorns, vexation - describe constant irritation and eventual suffering. This prophecy proved accurate: Israel's incomplete obedience led to centuries of idolatry, intermarriage, and warfare with remaining Canaanites (Judg 2:1-3). The principle applies spiritually: besetting sins we fail to mortify become ongoing sources of trouble and stumbling. Paul uses similar imagery for his 'thorn in the flesh' (2 Cor 12:7), though for different purposes - God's disciplining love versus consequences of disobedience.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Israel partially obeyed God's command to drive out Canaanites. Judges details their incomplete conquest and resulting apostasy. The Canaanites' idolatry, immorality, and child sacrifice continually tempted Israel, leading to the cycle of sin, judgment, repentance, and deliverance in Judges. Eventually, this syncretism brought the Babylonian exile. The failure to fully obey demonstrated that partial obedience equals disobedience. God's command for complete conquest seems harsh to modern readers but protected Israel from spiritual corruption that ultimately destroyed them. The New Testament calls for mortifying sin completely (Col 3:5), not tolerating 'small' sins.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'small' sins are you tolerating that will become 'thorns in your side' if not dealt with decisively?
  2. How does Israel's incomplete obedience and its consequences warn you about the danger of partial commitment to God's commands?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וְאִם1 of 23
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

לֹ֨א2 of 23
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תוֹרִ֜ישׁוּ3 of 23

But if ye will not drive out

H3423

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish

אֶת4 of 23
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יֹֽשְׁבִ֥ים5 of 23

the inhabitants

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

הָאָ֕רֶץ6 of 23

of the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִפְּנֵיכֶם֒7 of 23

from before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

וְהָיָה֙8 of 23
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר9 of 23
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

תּוֹתִ֣ירוּ10 of 23

you then it shall come to pass that those which ye let remain

H3498

to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left; causatively to leave, cause to abound, preserve

מֵהֶ֔ם11 of 23
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

לְשִׂכִּים֙12 of 23

of them shall be pricks

H7899

a brier (as of a hedge)

בְּעֵ֣ינֵיכֶ֔ם13 of 23

in your eyes

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

וְלִצְנִינִ֖ם14 of 23

and thorns

H6796

a thorn

בְּצִדֵּיכֶ֑ם15 of 23

in your sides

H6654

a side; figuratively, an adversary

וְצָֽרְר֣וּ16 of 23

and shall vex

H6887

to cramp, literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive

אֶתְכֶ֔ם17 of 23
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עַל18 of 23
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הָאָ֕רֶץ19 of 23

of the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר20 of 23
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אַתֶּ֖ם21 of 23
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

יֹֽשְׁבִ֥ים22 of 23

the inhabitants

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בָּֽהּ׃23 of 23
H0

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Numbers. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Numbers 33:55 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Numbers 33:55 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study