Numbers 33:52

Numbers 33:52 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

you must drive out before you all the inhabitants of the land, destroy all their carved images and cast idols, and demolish all their high places.

King James Version KJV

Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places:

American Standard Version ASV

then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their figured stones, and destroy all their molten images, and demolish all their high places:

Bible in Basic English BBE

See that all the people of the land are forced out from before you, and put to destruction all their pictured stones, and all their metal images, and all their high places:

Free Bible Version FBV

you must drive out everyone living in the land, destroy all their carved images and metal idols, and tear down all their pagan temples.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Ye shall then driue out all the inhabitants of the land before you, and destroy all their pictures, and breake asunder all their images of metall, and plucke downe all their hie places.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

then ye have dispossessed all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and have destroyed all their imagery, yea, all their molten images ye destroy, and all their high places ye lay waste,

World English Bible WEB

then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, destroy all their stone idols, destroy all their molten images, and demolish all their high places.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite demolish all their high places:

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Destroy all the inhabitants of that land: beat down their pillars, and break in pieces their statues, and waste all their high places,

Translation for Translators T4T

you must force all the people who live there to leave. Destroy all their carved statues and all their idols made of metal. Wreck all the places where they worship their idols.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 33:52

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Numbers 33:52 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וְ/ה֨וֹרַשְׁתֶּ֜ם אֶת כָּל יֹשְׁבֵ֤י הָ/אָ֨רֶץ֙ מִ/פְּנֵי/כֶ֔ם וְ/אִ֨בַּדְתֶּ֔ם אֵ֖ת כָּל מַשְׂכִּיֹּתָ֑/ם וְ/אֵ֨ת כָּל צַלְמֵ֤י מַסֵּֽכֹתָ/ם֙ תְּאַבֵּ֔דוּ וְ/אֵ֥ת כָּל בָּמֹתָ֖/ם תַּשְׁמִֽידוּ

וְ/ה֨וֹרַשְׁתֶּ֜ם yârash H3423 to possess Conj | V-Hiphil-2mp

אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM

כָּל kôl H3605 all N-ms

יֹשְׁבֵ֤י yâshab H3427 to dwell V-Qal

הָ/אָ֨רֶץ֙ ʼerets H776 land Art | N-cs

מִ/פְּנֵי/כֶ֔ם pânîym H6440 face Prep | N-cp | Suff

וְ/אִ֨בַּדְתֶּ֔ם ʼâbad H6 to perish Conj | V-Piel-2mp

אֵ֖ת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM

כָּל kôl H3605 all N-ms

מַשְׂכִּיֹּתָ֑/ם maskîyth H4906 figure N-fp | Suff

וְ/אֵ֨ת ʼêth H853 Obj. Conj | DirObjM

כָּל kôl H3605 all N-ms

צַלְמֵ֤י tselem H6754 image N-mp

מַסֵּֽכֹתָ/ם֙ maççêkâh H4541 liquid N-fp | Suff

תְּאַבֵּ֔דוּ ʼâbad H6 to perish V-Piel-Imperf-2mp

וְ/אֵ֥ת ʼêth H853 Obj. Conj | DirObjM

כָּל kôl H3605 all N-ms

בָּמֹתָ֖/ם bâmâh H1116 high place N-fp | Suff

תַּשְׁמִֽידוּ shâmad H8045 to destroy V-Hiphil-Imperf-2mp

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 33:52

וְ/ה֨וֹרַשְׁתֶּ֜ם yârash H3423 "to possess" Conj | V-Hiphil-2mp

To possess means to take control of something, like a piece of land, by driving out others and occupying it. This word is used in the Bible to describe inheriting property or seizing power.

Definition: : possess/inherit 1) to seize, dispossess, take possession off, inherit, disinherit, occupy, impoverish, be an heir 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take possession of 1a2) to inherit 1a3) to impoverish, come to poverty, be poor 1b) (Niphal) to be dispossessed, be impoverished, come to poverty 1c) (Piel) to devour 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to possess or inherit 1d2) to cause others to possess or inherit 1d3) to impoverish 1d4) to dispossess 1d5) to destroy, bring to ruin, disinherit

Usage: Occurs in 204 OT verses. KJV: cast out, consume, destroy, disinherit, dispossess, drive(-ing) out, enjoy, expel, [idiom] without fail, (give to, leave for) inherit(-ance, -or) [phrase] magistrate, be (make) poor, come to poverty, (give to, make to) possess, get (have) in (take) possession, seize upon, succeed, [idiom] utterly. See also: Genesis 15:3; Joshua 15:63; Psalms 25:13.

אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM

In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

כָּל kôl H3605 "all" N-ms

The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.

Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.

יֹשְׁבֵ֤י yâshab H3427 "to dwell" V-Qal

This verb means to sit or dwell, and can also mean to remain or abide. It's used in the Bible to describe people living in a place or staying with someone, like in the book of Genesis.

Definition: 1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sit, sit down 1a2) to be set 1a3) to remain, stay 1a4) to dwell, have one's abode 1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited 1c) (Piel) to set, place 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to sit 1d2) to cause to abide, set 1d3) to cause to dwell 1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited 1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to) 1e) (Hophal) 1e1) to be inhabited 1e2) to make to dwell Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488)

Usage: Occurs in 977 OT verses. KJV: (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry. See also: Genesis 4:16; Leviticus 25:18; Joshua 13:6.

הָ/אָ֨רֶץ֙ ʼerets H776 "land" Art | N-cs

The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.

Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan

Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.

מִ/פְּנֵי/כֶ֔ם pânîym H6440 "face" Prep | N-cp | Suff

This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.

Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of

Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.

וְ/אִ֨בַּדְתֶּ֔ם ʼâbad H6 "to perish" Conj | V-Piel-2mp

To perish means to be destroyed or lost, whether it's a person, animal, or thing, like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19.

Definition: 1) perish, vanish, go astray, be destroyed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) perish, die, be exterminated 1a2) perish, vanish (fig.) 1a3) be lost, strayed 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to destroy, kill, cause to perish, to give up (as lost), exterminate 1b2) to blot out, do away with, cause to vanish, (fig.) 1b3) cause to stray, lose 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to destroy, put to death 1c1a) of divine judgment 1c2) object name of kings (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: a.vad (אֲבַד "to destroy" H0007)

Usage: Occurs in 174 OT verses. KJV: break, destroy(-uction), [phrase] not escape, fail, lose, (cause to, make) perish, spend, [idiom] and surely, take, be undone, [idiom] utterly, be void of, have no way to flee. See also: Exodus 10:7; Psalms 112:10; Psalms 1:6.

אֵ֖ת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

כָּל kôl H3605 "all" N-ms

Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

מַשְׂכִּיֹּתָ֑/ם maskîyth H4906 "figure" N-fp | Suff

Maskith means a carved figure or image, often referring to idols or pictures. It can also describe imagination or conceit, as in a person's thoughts or ideas. This word appears in various forms in the Bible.

Definition: 1) show-piece, figure, imagination, image, idol, picture 1a) show-piece, carved figure (of idols) 1b) imagination, conceit

Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: conceit, image(-ry), picture, [idiom] wish. See also: Leviticus 26:1; Proverbs 18:11; Psalms 73:7.

וְ/אֵ֨ת ʼêth H853 "Obj." Conj | DirObjM

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

כָּל kôl H3605 "all" N-ms

Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

צַלְמֵ֤י tselem H6754 "image" N-mp

This word means image or likeness, often referring to idols or illusions, and is used to describe the resemblance of something, as seen in the book of Genesis.

Definition: 1) image 1a) images (of tumours, mice, heathen gods) 1b) image, likeness (of resemblance) 1c) mere, empty, image, semblance (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: tse.lem (צְלֵם "image" H6755)

Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: image, vain shew. See also: Genesis 1:26; 2 Kings 11:18; Psalms 39:7.

מַסֵּֽכֹתָ/ם֙ maççêkâh H4541 "liquid" N-fp | Suff

This term can mean a veil or covering, but also a cast metal image or a woven fabric, like a web or coverlet.

Definition: 1) a pouring, libation, molten metal, cast image, drink offering 1a) libation (with covenant sacrifice) 1b) molten metal, molten image, molten gods

Usage: Occurs in 28 OT verses. KJV: covering, molten (image), vail. See also: Exodus 32:4; 2 Kings 17:16; Psalms 106:19.

תְּאַבֵּ֔דוּ ʼâbad H6 "to perish" V-Piel-Imperf-2mp

To perish means to be destroyed or lost, whether it's a person, animal, or thing, like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19.

וְ/אֵ֥ת ʼêth H853 "Obj." Conj | DirObjM

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

כָּל kôl H3605 "all" N-ms

Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

בָּמֹתָ֖/ם bâmâh H1116 "high place" N-fp | Suff

A high place or elevation, often referring to a cultic platform or mountain. In the Bible, it can also refer to battlefields or funeral mounds, as seen in various passages.

Definition: 1) high place, ridge, height, bamah (technical name for cultic platform) 1a) high place, mountain 1b) high places, battlefields 1c) high places (as places of worship) 1d) funeral mound?

Usage: Occurs in 92 OT verses. KJV: height, high place, wave. See also: Leviticus 26:30; 1 Chronicles 16:39; Psalms 18:34.

תַּשְׁמִֽידוּ shâmad H8045 "to destroy" V-Hiphil-Imperf-2mp

The Hebrew word shâmad means to destroy or desolate something, used to describe annihilation or devastation. It is used in the Bible to describe the destruction of cities or nations, such as in the book of Isaiah.

Definition: 1) to destroy, exterminate, be destroyed, be exterminated 1a) (Niphal) 1a1) to be annihilated, be exterminated 1a2) to be destroyed, be devastated 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to annihilate, exterminate 1b2) to destroy Aramaic equivalent: she.mad (שְׁמַד "to destroy" H8046)

Usage: Occurs in 86 OT verses. KJV: destory(-uction), bring to nought, overthrow, perish, pluck down, [idiom] utterly. See also: Genesis 34:30; 2 Samuel 22:38; Psalms 37:38.

Study Notes — Numbers 33:52

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Numbers 33:52 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 33:52
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 33:52
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 33:52
Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 33:52
Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 33:52
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 33:52
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 33:52
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 33:52
Sermons on Numbers 33:52

Context — Instructions for Occupying Canaan

50On the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho, the LORD said to Moses, 51“Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan,

52you must drive out before you all the inhabitants of the land, destroy all their carved images and cast idols, and demolish all their high places.

53You are to take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given you the land to possess. 54And you are to divide the land by lot according to your clans. Give a larger inheritance to a larger clan and a smaller inheritance to a smaller one. Whatever falls to each one by lot will be his. You will receive an inheritance according to the tribes of your fathers.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Exodus 23:24	You must not bow down to their gods or serve them or follow their practices. Instead, you are to demolish them and smash their sacred stones to pieces.
2	Leviticus 26:1	“You must not make idols for yourselves or set up a carved image or sacred pillar; you must not place a sculpted stone in your land to bow down to it. For I am the LORD your God.
3	Deuteronomy 20:16–18	However, in the cities of the nations that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, you must not leave alive anything that breathes. For you must devote them to complete destruction —the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that they cannot teach you to do all the detestable things they do for their gods, and so cause you to sin against the LORD your God.
4	Deuteronomy 7:2–5	and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you to defeat them, then you must devote them to complete destruction. Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy. Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, because they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods. Then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and He will swiftly destroy you. Instead, this is what you are to do to them: tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, cut down their Asherah poles, and burn their idols in the fire.
5	Deuteronomy 12:2–3	Destroy completely all the places where the nations you are dispossessing have served their gods—atop the high mountains, on the hills, and under every green tree. Tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, burn up their Asherah poles, cut down the idols of their gods, and wipe out their names from every place.
6	Judges 2:2	and you are not to make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall tear down their altars.’ Yet you have not obeyed My voice. What is this you have done?
7	Exodus 34:12–17	Be careful not to make a treaty with the inhabitants of the land you are entering, lest they become a snare in your midst. Rather, you must tear down their altars, smash their sacred stones, and chop down their Asherah poles. For you must not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. Do not make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, for when they prostitute themselves to their gods and sacrifice to them, they will invite you, and you will eat their sacrifices. And when you take some of their daughters as brides for your sons, their daughters will prostitute themselves to their gods and cause your sons to do the same. You shall make no molten gods for yourselves.
8	Deuteronomy 7:25–26	You must burn up the images of their gods; do not covet the silver and gold that is on them or take it for yourselves, or you will be ensnared by it; for it is detestable to the LORD your God. And you must not bring any detestable thing into your house, or you, like it, will be set apart for destruction. You are to utterly detest and abhor it, because it is set apart for destruction.
9	Deuteronomy 12:30–31	be careful not to be ensnared by their ways after they have been destroyed before you. Do not inquire about their gods, asking, “How do these nations serve their gods? I will do likewise.” You must not worship the LORD your God in this way, because they practice for their gods every abomination which the LORD hates. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods.
10	Psalms 106:34–36	They did not destroy the peoples as the LORD had commanded them, but they mingled with the nations and adopted their customs. They worshiped their idols, which became a snare to them.

Numbers 33:52 Summary

This verse means that God wants us to get rid of anything in our lives that is not pleasing to Him, just like the Israelites were instructed to drive out the inhabitants of the land. This includes removing idols and false worship from our lives, which can be seen in Deuteronomy 7:1-6. We are to trust God to give us the strength to overcome these things and to follow Him fully, as seen in Philippians 4:13. By doing so, we can experience the freedom and joy of living a life that is fully surrendered to God.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why were the Israelites instructed to drive out the inhabitants of the land?

The Israelites were instructed to drive out the inhabitants of the land because the people of the land were idolatrous and corrupt, and God did not want the Israelites to be influenced by their sinful ways, as seen in Deuteronomy 7:1-6 and Exodus 23:32-33.

What is the significance of destroying carved images and cast idols?

The destruction of carved images and cast idols was a way of removing the physical representations of idolatry and false worship, which is also emphasized in Deuteronomy 12:3 and 2 Corinthians 6:16.

How does this verse relate to the concept of spiritual warfare?

This verse illustrates the idea of spiritual warfare, where believers are called to overcome and drive out the forces of darkness and idolatry, as seen in Ephesians 6:10-18 and 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.

Is this verse still relevant to believers today?

While the historical context of this verse is specific to the Israelites, the principle of removing idolatry and false worship from our lives is still relevant today, as seen in 1 John 5:21 and 1 Corinthians 10:14.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways that I may be tolerating 'inhabitants' of sin and idolatry in my own life, and how can I 'drive them out'?
How can I ensure that I am not being influenced by the 'carved images' and 'cast idols' of the world around me?
What are some 'high places' in my life that I need to demolish in order to fully follow God?
How can I trust God to give me the strength and courage to overcome the forces of darkness and idolatry in my life?

Gill's Exposition on Numbers 33:52

Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you,.... Not at once, but gradually; and the sense is, that they should use their utmost endeavours wholly to extirpate them: and

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 33:52

Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places: Ye shall

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 33:52

Ye shall drive out; not by banishing, but by destroying them, as it is explained, ,2, and elsewhere. Their pictures seem to have been stones curiously engraven, and set up for worship. See . Molten images. See ,32 Deu 7:5. High places, i.e. by a metonymy, the chapels, altars, groves, or other means of worship there set up, for the hills themselves could not be destroyed by them. See Poole "".

Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 33:52

Numbers 33:52 Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places:Ver. 52. Destroy all the pictures.] Those Balaam’ s blocks, those excellent instruments of idolatry; such as was the cross of Hailes, and Cockram cross, which, if it would not serve to make a god, yet with a pair of horns clapped on his head, might make an excellent devil, as the mayor of Doncaster persuaded the men of Cockram, who came to him to complain of the joiner that made it, and refused to pay him his money for the making of it. Act. and Mon., 1340.

Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 33:52

(52) And destroy all their pictures.—The word which is here rendered “pictures” denotes “imagery,” or “engraved figures.” In Leviticus 26:1 the material named is stone—“a stone of imagery,” i.e., a stone which has been formed into an idol. (Comp. Exodus 34:13, where, however, a different word is used for “ images.”) All their high places.—Hebrew, bamoth. The reference here is probably to the altars which were frequently erected on the high places. (Comp. Numbers 22:41, where Balaam is brought by Balak “up into the high places of Baal.”)

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 33:52

Verse 52. Ye shall - destroy all their pictures] משכיתם maskiyotham, from שחה sachah, to be like, or resemble, either pictures, carved work, or embroidery, as far as these things were employed to exhibit the abominations of idolatry. Molten images צלמי מסכתם tsalmey massechotham, metallic talismanical figures, made under certain constellations, and supposed in consequence to be possessed of some extraordinary influences and virtues.

Cambridge Bible on Numbers 33:52

52. ye shall drive out] ye shall dispossess. The word δεֹ ?ψιω in this sense is very frequent in Deut. their figured stones] The literal meaning of the word seems to be ‘something to be looked at.’ It denotes the carved figures and symbols used in Canaanite idolatrous worship. Cf. Leviticus 26:1, Ezekiel 8:12. their high places] The Hebrews learnt from the Canaanites the practice of erecting altars and sanctuaries on hills and natural mounds, to which the technical term bβmτth was applied. But the word seems to have acquired a more general force, and to have been used for any sanctuaries, even in valleys and by the gates of cities (cf. Jeremiah 7:31, 2 Kings 23:8). In the present passage the word cannot refer to hills, for the Israelites are bidden to ‘demolish them.’ Some think that the bβmτth of later times may have been small artificial mounds, to represent the hills of the ancient worship; but there is no certain evidence of this.

Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 33:52

THE COMMAND TO THE , AND TO THEIR LAND. Numbers 33:50 to Numbers 34:29.52. Destroy all their pictures — Literally, idols of stone, R.V., “figured stones.” Painting is the product of a more advanced civilization.

Sermons on Numbers 33:52

	Sermon	Description
	Drive It Out - Obedience Brings Life by Shane Idleman	Shane Idleman passionately delivers a message titled 'Drive It Out - Obedience Brings Life,' emphasizing that true obedience to God stems from love and loyalty, not legalism. He hi
	Barriers to Blessing by Alan Bartley	This sermon addresses the barriers to blessing in the Christian life, focusing on the dangers of occult involvement, the impact of unbelief, the consequences of unconfessed sin, an
	(The Church in the Last Days) 05 - Possessing the Land by Milton Green	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of following the Word of God rather than adhering to old traditions or wrong teachings. The message is based on Leviticus 26,
	The Basic Requirements of Obedience by Chuck Smith	In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith focuses on the Book of Leviticus and the importance of obedience to God's commandments. He emphasizes that the strength of a nation lies in the f
	Through the Bible - Deuteronomy by Zac Poonen	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the book of Deuteronomy and its three main themes: looking back at God's faithfulness, looking upwards at God's laws, and looking forward to G
	(Through the Bible) Joshua 9-16 by Chuck Smith	In this sermon, the speaker addresses a popular but false story about NASA scientists discovering a missing day in time. He emphasizes that this story is not factual and has no bas
	Deception by the Gibeonites by Chuck Smith	In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses the deception by the Gibeonites as described in Joshua chapter 9. He emphasizes the importance of heeding the warnings that God gives u