Numbers 33:52 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.

◄ Numbers 33:52 ►

New International Version
drive out all the inhabitants of the land before you. Destroy all their carved images and their cast idols, and demolish all their high places.

New Living Translation
you must drive out all the people living there. You must destroy all their carved and molten images and demolish all their pagan shrines.

English Standard Version
then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you and destroy all their figured stones and destroy all their metal images and demolish all their high places.

Berean Standard Bible
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 Bible
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:

New King James Version
then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, destroy all their engraved stones, destroy all their molded images, and demolish all their high places;

New American Standard Bible
you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from you, and destroy all their idolatrous sculptures, destroy all their cast metal images, and eliminate all their high places;

NASB 1995
then you 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;

NASB 1977
then you 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;

Legacy Standard Bible
then you shall dispossess all the inhabitants of the land from before you and destroy all their carved stones and destroy all their molten images and demolish all their high places;

Amplified Bible
then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land before you and destroy all their sculpted images, and destroy all their cast idols and completely eliminate all their [idolatrous] high places,

Christian Standard Bible
you must drive out all the inhabitants of the land before you, destroy all their stone images and cast images, and demolish all their high places.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
you must drive out all the inhabitants of the land before you, destroy all their stone images and cast images, and demolish all their high places.

American Standard Version
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:

Contemporary English Version
you must force out the people living there. Destroy their idols and tear down their altars.

English Revised Version
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:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
As you advance, force out all the people who live there. Get rid of all their stone and metal idols, and destroy all their places of worship.

Good News Translation
you must drive out all the inhabitants of the land. Destroy all their stone and metal idols and all their places of worship.

International Standard Version
they are to drive out all the inhabitants of the land and destroy all their idols and their molten images. You are to demolish all their high places,

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
you must drive out all the inhabitants of the land before you. Destroy all their carved images, all their molten images, and demolish their high places.

New Heart English Bible
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.

Webster's Bible Translation
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:

World English Bible
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.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
then you have dispossessed all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and have destroyed all their imagery, indeed, you destroy all their molten images, and you lay waste [to] all their high places,

Young's Literal Translation
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,

Smith's Literal Translation
And have driven out all those dwelling in the land from before you, and destroy ye all their watch towers, and all their molten images ye shall destroy, and all their heights ye shall lay waste:

Catholic Translations

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

Catholic Public Domain Version
destroy all the inhabitants of that land. Break their monuments, and shatter their statues, and lay waste to every exalted thing,

New American Bible
dispossess all the inhabitants of the land before you; destroy all their stone figures, destroy all their molten images, and demolish all their high places.

New Revised Standard Version
you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, destroy all their figured stones, destroy all their cast images, and demolish all their high places.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Then you shall destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you and destroy all their idols and destroy all their molten images and demolish all their high places;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And you shall destroy all of the inhabitants of the land from before you and you shall destroy all their idols and throw away all the images of their forging, and all their high places you shall pull down:

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And ye shall destroy all that dwell in the land before your face, and ye shall abolish their high places, and all their molten images ye shall destroy, and ye shall demolish all their pillars.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Instructions for Occupying Canaan
…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.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Deuteronomy 7:5
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.

Deuteronomy 12:3
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.

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.

Exodus 34:13
Rather, you must tear down their altars, smash their sacred stones, and chop down their Asherah poles.

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?

Psalm 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.

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.

2 Kings 23:24
Furthermore, Josiah removed the mediums and spiritists, the household gods and idols, and all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem. He did this to carry out the words of the law written in the book that Hilkiah the priest had found in the house of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 31:1
When all this had ended, the Israelites in attendance went out to the cities of Judah and broke up the sacred pillars, chopped down the Asherah poles, and tore down the high places and altars throughout Judah and Benjamin, as well as in Ephraim and Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the Israelites returned to their cities, each to his own property.

Isaiah 30:22
So you will desecrate your silver-plated idols and your gold-plated images. You will throw them away like menstrual cloths, saying to them, “Be gone!”

Ezekiel 20:7-8
And I said to them: ‘Each of you must throw away the abominations before his eyes, and you must not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.’ / But they rebelled against Me and refused to listen. None of them cast away the abominations before their eyes, and they did not forsake the idols of Egypt. So I resolved to pour out My wrath upon them and vent My anger against them in the land of Egypt.

Acts 19:19
And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books and burned them in front of everyone. When the value of the books was calculated, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas.

1 Corinthians 10:14
Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

2 Corinthians 6:16-17
What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” / “Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”

Ephesians 5:11
Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

Treasury of Scripture

Then you 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:

Exodus 23:24,31-33
Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their images…

Exodus 34:12-17
Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee: …

Deuteronomy 7:2-5,25,26
And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them: …

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Numbers 33

1. The forty-two journeys of the Israelites
50. The Canaanites are to be destroyed

Berean Study Bible

you must drive out
The phrase "you must drive out" is a direct command from God to the Israelites, emphasizing the necessity of action. The Hebrew root word here is "yarash," which means to take possession or to dispossess. This command is not merely a suggestion but a divine mandate, underscoring the importance of obedience to God's will. Historically, this reflects the Israelites' role as God's chosen people, tasked with establishing a holy nation. The act of driving out the inhabitants is symbolic of removing sin and corruption, aligning with the broader biblical theme of sanctification and purity.

all the inhabitants of the land
This phrase refers to the Canaanites who occupied the Promised Land. The Hebrew word for "inhabitants" is "yashab," meaning those who dwell or reside. The Canaanites were known for their idolatrous practices, which were in direct opposition to the worship of Yahweh. The command to remove them is not about ethnic cleansing but about spiritual purity. Theologically, this represents the need to remove influences that lead believers away from God, a principle that resonates throughout Scripture as a call to holiness.

before you
The phrase "before you" indicates the presence of the Israelites in the land, suggesting a divine appointment and timing. It implies that God has gone ahead of them, preparing the way for their victory. This is a recurring biblical theme where God leads His people, providing assurance of His presence and support. Historically, this reflects the Israelites' journey from Egypt to Canaan, a journey marked by God's guidance and provision.

destroy all their carved images
The command to "destroy all their carved images" highlights the prohibition against idolatry. The Hebrew word for "carved images" is "pesel," referring to idols or graven images. This command is rooted in the first and second commandments, which forbid the worship of other gods and the making of idols. The destruction of these images is a physical act representing the spiritual rejection of false gods. It serves as a reminder of the exclusive worship that God demands from His people.

and cast off all their cast images
The phrase "cast off all their cast images" further emphasizes the rejection of idolatry. The Hebrew word for "cast images" is "massekah," which refers to molten or metal images. This command reinforces the need to eliminate all forms of idol worship, which were prevalent in Canaanite culture. Theologically, it speaks to the need for believers to rid themselves of anything that takes the place of God in their lives, a call to spiritual fidelity and devotion.

and demolish all their high places
The command to "demolish all their high places" refers to the destruction of altars and worship sites used for pagan rituals. The Hebrew term "bamah" is used for "high places," which were often elevated sites where sacrifices and offerings were made to false gods. This command underscores the need to remove all traces of pagan worship, ensuring that the land is dedicated solely to the worship of Yahweh. It serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of worshiping God in the manner He prescribes, free from syncretism and compromise.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(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.")

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 52. - Ye shall drive out. The Hebrew word (from יָרַשׁ) is the same which is translated "dispossess" in the next verse. The Septuagint has in both cases ἀπολεῖτε, supplying (like the A.V.) the word "inhabitants" in verse 53. The Hebrew word, however, seems to have much the same sense as the English phrase "clear out," and is, therefore, equally applied to the land and the occupants of it. No doubt it implies extermination as a necessary condition of the clearance. Their pictures. מַשְׂכִּלֺיּתָם. Septuagint, τὰς σκοπιὰς αὐτῶν, (their outlooks, or high places). The Targums of Onkelos and Palestine have "the houses of their worship;" the Targum of Jerusalem has "their idols." The same word occurs in Leviticus 26:1, in the phrase אֵבֶן מַשְׂכִּית, which is usually rendered "a stone image," i.e., a stone shaped into some likeness of man. If so, מַשְׂכִּית by itself has probably the same meaning; at any rate it can hardly be "a picture," nor is there the least evidence that the art of painting was at all practiced among the rude tribes of' Canaan. The same word, maskith, is indeed found in Ezekiel 8:12 in connection with "gravings" (from חָקַק; cf. Isaiah 22:16; Isaiah 49:18 with Ezekiel 4:1; Ezekiel 23:14) on a wall; but even this belonged to a very different age. Their molten images, צַלְמֵי מַסֵּכֹתָם, "images cast of brass." Septuagint, τὰ εἰδωλα τὰ χονευτά The word tselem is only elsewhere used in the Pentateuch for that "likeness" which is reproduced in Divine creation (Genesis 1:26, 27; Genesis 9:6) or in human generation (Genesis 5:3); in the later books, however (especially in Daniel), it is freely used for idols. On "massakah," see on Exodus 32:4; Isaiah 30:22. Their high places. בָמוֹתָם. See on Leviticus 26:30. The Septuagint translates Bamoth in both places by στῆλαι, and of course it was not the high places themselves, which were simply certain prominent elevations, but the monuments (of whatever kind) which superstition had erected upon them, which were to be plucked down. As a fact, it would seem that the Jews, instead of obeying this command, appropriated the Bamoth to their own religious uses (cf. 1 Samuel 9:12; 1 Kings 3:2; Psalm 78:58, etc.). The natural result was, as in all similar cases, that not only the Bamoth, but very many of the superstitions and idolatries connected with them, were taken over into the service of the Lord.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

you must drive out
וְה֨וֹרַשְׁתֶּ֜ם (wə·hō·w·raš·tem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 3423: To occupy, to seize, to rob, to inherit, to expel, to impoverish, to ruin

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the inhabitants
יֹשְׁבֵ֤י (yō·šə·ḇê)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

of the land
הָאָ֙רֶץ֙ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

before you,
מִפְּנֵיכֶ֔ם (mip·pə·nê·ḵem)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 6440: The face

destroy
וְאִ֨בַּדְתֶּ֔ם (wə·’ib·baḏ·tem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 6: To wander away, lose oneself, to perish

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

their carved images
מַשְׂכִּיֹּתָ֑ם (maś·kî·yō·ṯām)
Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 4906: A showpiece, figure, imagination

and cast
מַסֵּֽכֹתָם֙ (mas·sê·ḵō·ṯām)
Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 4541: A pouring over, fusion of metal, a libation, league, a coverlet

idols,
צַלְמֵ֤י (ṣal·mê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 6754: A phantom, illusion, resemblance, a representative figure, an idol

and demolish
תַּשְׁמִֽידוּ׃ (taš·mî·ḏū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 8045: To be exterminated or destroyed

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

their high places.
בָּמֹתָ֖ם (bā·mō·ṯām)
Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1116: An elevation

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OT Law: Numbers 33:52 Then you shall drive out all (Nu Num.)