The term "dispossesseth" is derived from the verb "dispossess," which means to deprive someone of land, property, or other possessions. In the context of the Bible, it often refers to the act of God or the Israelites removing nations from the land of Canaan to fulfill divine promises and establish the Israelites in the Promised Land. This concept is central to the narrative of the Israelites' conquest of Canaan as described in the Old Testament.

Biblical Context

The command to dispossess the inhabitants of Canaan is a recurring theme in the Pentateuch, particularly in the books of Exodus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. God instructs the Israelites to drive out the Canaanite nations to prevent them from leading the Israelites into idolatry and sin. This divine mandate is rooted in the covenantal promise made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob regarding the land of Canaan.

Key Scriptures

1. Exodus 23:29-30 : "I will not drive them out before you in a single year, lest the land become desolate and the beasts of the field multiply against you. Little by little I will drive them out ahead of you, until you become fruitful and possess the land."

In this passage, God assures the Israelites that the dispossession of the Canaanites will be a gradual process, allowing the Israelites to grow in strength and numbers to manage the land effectively.

2. Numbers 33:52-53 : "you must drive out all the inhabitants of the land before you. Destroy all their carved images and cast idols, and demolish all their high places. You are to take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given you the land to possess."

Here, the Israelites are commanded to remove the inhabitants and destroy their religious symbols, emphasizing the need for spiritual purity and devotion to Yahweh.

3. Deuteronomy 9:4-5 : "When the LORD your God has driven them out before you, do not say in your heart, 'The LORD has brought me in to possess this land because of my righteousness.' Instead, the LORD is driving out these nations before you because of their wickedness."

This passage highlights that the dispossession is not due to the Israelites' righteousness but because of the Canaanites' wickedness, underscoring God's justice and sovereignty.

Theological Significance

The act of dispossessing the Canaanites is often viewed as a divine judgment against the moral and spiritual corruption of these nations. It serves as a reminder of God's holiness and the consequences of idolatry and sin. For the Israelites, it is a call to faithfulness and obedience to God's commandments, as their continued possession of the land is contingent upon their adherence to the covenant.

Historical and Cultural Considerations

The historical context of dispossession involves the ancient Near Eastern practice of conquest and settlement. The Israelites' actions, as recorded in the biblical narrative, reflect the cultural and military practices of the time. However, the biblical account frames these actions within the context of divine command and purpose, distinguishing them from mere territorial expansion.

Moral and Ethical Reflections

The concept of dispossession raises complex moral and ethical questions, particularly in modern readings of the text. It challenges readers to consider the nature of divine justice and the relationship between God's sovereignty and human agency. The narrative invites reflection on the balance between divine judgment and mercy, as well as the call to holiness and separation from sin.

In summary, "dispossesseth" in the biblical context refers to the divinely ordained removal of the Canaanite nations to establish the Israelites in the Promised Land, serving as a testament to God's faithfulness, justice, and the call to covenantal obedience.

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those souls that he died for, and dispossesseth that powerful corruption that ...
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Dispossesseth (2 Occurrences)
...Dispossesseth (2 Occurrences). Judges 1:20 And they give to Caleb Hebron, as Moses
hath spoken, and he dispossesseth thence the three sons of Anak. (YLT). ...
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Dispossessing (9 Occurrences)

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Dispossessest (1 Occurrence)

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