Numbers 33:53
And ye shall dispossess the inhabitants of the land, and dwell therein: for I have given you the land to possess it.
Original Language Analysis
לָרֶ֥שֶׁת
And ye shall dispossess
H3423
לָרֶ֥שֶׁת
And ye shall dispossess
Strong's:
H3423
Word #:
1 of 12
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
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָאָ֖רֶץ
the inhabitants of the land
H776
הָאָ֖רֶץ
the inhabitants of the land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
3 of 12
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
וִֽישַׁבְתֶּם
and dwell
H3427
וִֽישַׁבְתֶּם
and dwell
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
4 of 12
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
6 of 12
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
נָתַ֥תִּי
therein for I have given
H5414
נָתַ֥תִּי
therein for I have given
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
8 of 12
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָאָ֖רֶץ
the inhabitants of the land
H776
הָאָ֖רֶץ
the inhabitants of the land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
10 of 12
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Historical Context
The lot-casting system for land distribution appears throughout Joshua's conquest account. It prevented disputes by making God the arbiter of boundaries. The proportional aspect meant larger tribes received more land, smaller tribes less, ensuring both divine sovereignty and practical justice. The system's wisdom became evident as disputes were resolved by appealing to the lot's divine determination.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's use of means (lot and census) teach about providence working through natural processes?
- What does combining divine sovereignty with proportional justice demonstrate about God's character?
- In what ways should Christians trust God's sovereignty expressed through natural means?
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Analysis & Commentary
The instruction that land be divided by lot 'according to the families' combines divine sovereignty (lot) with providential distribution (family size). God determines inheritance through ordained means, not arbitrary chance. The balance between what God ordains (the lot's outcome) and natural factors (family needs) teaches that providence works through means. The Reformed doctrine of divine concurrence—God works in, with, and through natural factors while remaining sovereignly in control—is clearly illustrated in this land distribution system.