The term "possessest" is an archaic form of the verb "possess," which appears in older translations of the Bible. It is used to describe the act of having or owning something, often in the context of God's ownership or the inheritance of the Promised Land by the Israelites. In the Berean Standard Bible , the term is updated to more contemporary language, but the concept remains significant throughout Scripture.

Biblical Context and Usage

1. Divine Ownership and Sovereignty: The concept of possession in the Bible often underscores God's ultimate ownership of the earth and everything in it. Psalm 24:1 states, "The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof, the world and all who dwell therein." This verse highlights the belief that God possesses all creation, affirming His sovereignty and authority over the universe.

2. Inheritance of the Promised Land: The idea of possession is central to the narrative of the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land. In Deuteronomy 1:8 , God commands, "See, I have set the land before you. Enter and possess the land that the LORD swore He would give to your fathers—to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—and to their descendants after them." Here, possession is linked to the fulfillment of God's covenant promises, emphasizing the faithfulness of God in granting the land to His chosen people.

3. Spiritual Possession and Blessings: Beyond physical land, the Bible speaks of spiritual possessions and blessings. Ephesians 1:3 declares, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms." This passage reflects the belief that believers possess spiritual riches through their relationship with Christ, underscoring the theme of divine generosity and grace.

4. Moral and Ethical Implications: The concept of possession also carries moral and ethical implications. In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), Jesus teaches about stewardship and accountability. The servants are entrusted with possessions and are expected to manage them wisely. This parable illustrates the principle that what one possesses is ultimately God's, and individuals are called to use their resources responsibly for His glory.

5. Warnings Against Covetousness: The Bible warns against the desire to possess what belongs to others. In Exodus 20:17 , the Tenth Commandment states, "You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor." This commandment highlights the importance of contentment and respect for others' possessions, aligning with the broader biblical ethic of love and justice.

Theological Significance

The theme of possession in the Bible is deeply intertwined with the understanding of God's covenant relationship with His people. It reflects His promises, blessings, and expectations for how His people are to live. Possession is not merely about ownership but is connected to the responsibilities and privileges of being part of God's covenant community. Through the lens of Scripture, possession is seen as a gift from God, to be used for His purposes and glory.

To the Wicked and Unbelieving Rich Man.
... then nourished thee. He governs thy meadows; He, thy vineyards; He, thy
herd of cattle; and He, whatever thou possessest. Nor dost ...
/.../the instructions of commodianus/xxix to the wicked and unbelieving.htm

Return, Return, O Shulamite! Return, Return, that we May Look Upon ...
... of peace, return to instruct us both by thy example and by thy precept, the way
we must take to attain the blessedness that thou possessest; return, that thou ...
/.../guyon/song of songs of solomon/12 return return o shulamite.htm

How the Sea was Divided Asunder for the Hebrews, when they were ...
... We are in a helpless place, but still it is a place that thou possessest; still
the sea is thine, the mountains also that enclose us are thine; so that these ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 16 how the sea.htm

What Then did Wretched I So Love in Thee...
... Covetousness would possess many things; and Thou possessest all things. Envy
disputes for excellency: what more excellent than Thou? ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter vi what then did.htm

Whether Covetousness is Always a Mortal Sin?
... 18): "It is the hungry man's bread that thou keepest back, the naked man's cloak
that thou hoardest, the needy man's money that thou possessest, hence thou ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether covetousness is always a.htm

Prolegomena. Section i. --The Life.
... Thou who didst bind me to the uncarnal life. Truly the Christ, whom thou
possessest now,. Took thee unto Himself, the King thou lov'st. ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/prolegomena section i the life.htm

On the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
... Whatever it may be that thou possessest, leave all at once for the sake of God,
however hard it may be, that thou mayest not possess thyself in any way, either ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon xxii on the exaltation.htm

The Various Hypotheses of Marcus and Others. Theories Respecting ...
... This which thou knowest and seemest to possess, is not an ancient name. For thou
possessest the sound of it merely, whilst thou art ignorant of its power. ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xiv the various hypotheses of.htm

Psalm L.
... own. "Cattle on the mountain, and oxen." [1751] Mine are those which thou
possessest not, Mine are these which thou possessest. For ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm l.htm

Letter viii. To Demophilus, Therapeutes. About Minding Ones Own ...
... be strutted over by thee, and thou sayest, that thou holdest and guardest the sacred
things, although thou neither hast known, nor heard, nor possessest any of ...
/.../letters of dionysius the areopagite/letter viii to demophilus therapeutes.htm

Possessest (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Possessest (1 Occurrence). Deuteronomy 26:1 And
it shall be, when thou art come in unto the land which ...
/p/possessest.htm - 6k

Possesses (7 Occurrences)

/p/possesses.htm - 8k

Dwellest (27 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 26:1 And it shall be, when thou art come in unto the land which the
LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance, and possessest it, and dwellest ...
/d/dwellest.htm - 14k

Possesseth (5 Occurrences)

/p/possesseth.htm - 8k

Comest (50 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 26:1 And it shall be when thou comest into the land that Jehovah thy
God giveth thee for an inheritance, and possessest it, and dwellest therein ...
/c/comest.htm - 22k

Succeed (47 Occurrences)
... take possession" (Deuteronomy 2:12; Deuteronomy 12:29, the American Standard Revised
Version "dispossessest," the English Revised Version "possessest"); of qum ...
/s/succeed.htm - 23k

Success (29 Occurrences)
... take possession" (Deuteronomy 2:12; Deuteronomy 12:29, the American Standard Revised
Version "dispossessest," the English Revised Version "possessest"); of qum ...
/s/success.htm - 17k

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