King James Version
What Does Numbers 33:56 Mean?
“Moreover it shall come to pass, that I shall do unto you, as I thought to do unto them.”
Numbers 33:56 · KJV
Context
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 CommentaryThe warning that remaining Canaanites 'shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell' uses vivid imagery to describe the constant irritation and danger of compromising with sin. Pricks and thorns cause ongoing pain and damage. This teaches that tolerating sin creates perpetual problems, not peaceful coexistence. The Reformed understanding that sin not mortified will inevitably mortify us is powerfully illustrated. We cannot make peace with what God has condemned.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
Israel's history validated this warning completely. The Canaanite peoples who remained continually seduced Israel into idolatry, intermarried with them, and corrupted their worship. The judges period records cycle after cycle of compromise, corruption, oppression, and deliverance. The thorns God warned about proved exactly as painful as He said. Compromise never brought peace, only ongoing trouble.
Reflection Questions
- How does the imagery of thorns and pricks describe the ongoing pain of tolerating sin?
- What does Israel's history of compromise teach about the impossibility of peaceful coexistence with sin?
- In what ways does unmortified sin inevitably damage Christian life and witness?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 7 wordsוְהָיָ֗ה1 of 7
H1961to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר2 of 7
H834who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דִּמִּ֛יתִי3 of 7
“unto you as I thought”
H1819to compare; by implication, to resemble, liken, consider
אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֥ה4 of 7
“Moreover it shall come to pass that I shall do”
H6213to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
לָהֶ֖ם5 of 7
H0אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֥ה6 of 7
“Moreover it shall come to pass that I shall do”
H6213to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
לָכֶֽם׃7 of 7
H0Study 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 33:56 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 33:56 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge