The term "possesseth" is an archaic form of the verb "possess," which appears in various contexts throughout the Bible. It generally refers to the act of owning, having, or holding something, whether it be land, wealth, spiritual gifts, or divine attributes. In the biblical narrative, possession often carries both material and spiritual connotations, reflecting God's promises, human stewardship, and the moral responsibilities that accompany ownership.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, "possesseth" frequently relates to the land promised by God to the Israelites. The concept of possession is deeply tied to the covenantal relationship between God and His people. For instance, in Deuteronomy 1:8 , God commands the Israelites, "See, I have set the land before you. Enter and possess the land that the LORD swore to your fathers—to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—and to their descendants after them." Here, possession is not merely an act of taking land but fulfilling a divine promise and entering into a covenantal blessing.

Possession also extends to the idea of inheritance, as seen in the division of the Promised Land among the tribes of Israel. In Numbers 33:53 , God instructs, "You are to take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given you the land to possess." This directive underscores the divine authority behind the Israelites' claim to the land and their responsibility to uphold God's statutes within it.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of possession shifts more towards spiritual inheritance and the kingdom of God. While the term "possesseth" itself is less frequently used, the underlying principles remain significant. Believers are called to possess spiritual virtues and the promises of God through faith in Jesus Christ. In Matthew 5:5 , Jesus declares, "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." This beatitude reflects the spiritual possession of God's kingdom by those who embody humility and righteousness.

The New Testament also emphasizes the possession of eternal life and spiritual gifts. In 1 John 5:12 , it is written, "Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life." Here, possession is directly linked to one's relationship with Christ, highlighting the transformative power of faith and the assurance of salvation.

Theological Implications

Theologically, the concept of possession in the Bible underscores the sovereignty of God as the ultimate owner of all creation. Human possession, whether of land, wealth, or spiritual gifts, is seen as a stewardship entrusted by God. This stewardship carries with it the responsibility to use what is possessed in accordance with God's will and purposes.

Possession also serves as a metaphor for the believer's relationship with God. Just as the Israelites were called to possess the Promised Land, Christians are called to possess the promises of God through faith and obedience. This spiritual possession is both a present reality and a future hope, as believers anticipate the full realization of God's kingdom.

In summary, "possesseth" in the biblical context is a multifaceted term that encompasses material, spiritual, and covenantal dimensions. It reflects God's promises, human responsibility, and the transformative power of faith in the life of the believer.5224. huparchonta -- goods, that which one has, things which one ...
... goods, that which one has, things which one possesseth, substance, that hast. ... goods,
that which one has, things which one possesseth, substance, that hast. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5224.htm - 6k

The Three Parables of Warning: to the Individual, to the Nation ...
... that not in the superabounding to any one [not in that wherein he has more than
enough] consisteth his life, from the things which he possesseth.' [4442] In ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xvi the three parables.htm

The Rich Fool
... 15. And He said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life
consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.16. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the rich fool.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke xii. 15, "And He Said unto Them ...
... "Beware," He saith, "of all covetousness: For a man's life consisteth not in the
abundance of the things which he possesseth." He that stores up great abundance ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lvii on the words.htm

On the Excellency of Religion and Divine Love.
... Now that distemper being removed, it feels itself well; there is due harmony
in its faculties, and a sprightly vigour possesseth every part. ...
/.../scougal/the life of god in the soul of man/part ii on the excellency.htm

2 Cor. vi. 1, 2
... Yea rather, how can the opposite be? For he that possesseth many things hath nothing;
and he that hath nothing possesseth the goods of all [717] . ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xii 2 cor vi.htm

Our Requests Made Known unto God
... ". . . A man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." "
Luke 12:14. The fertile fields cannot produce true riches. ...
/.../anderson/prayer availeth much/chapter 2 our requests made.htm

Private Property and the Common Good
... And he said unto them, Take heed, and keep yourselves from all covetousness: for
a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth ...
/.../the social principles of jesus/chapter viii private property and.htm

Tenth Commandment
... in the world is the hypocrite; but the next greatest is the covetous man, "for a
man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/tenth commandment.htm

The Jewish Sacrifices are Now Abolished.
... Footnotes: [1456] The Latin text is literally, "the adversary;" the Greek has,
"and he that worketh possesseth power;" Hilgenfeld reads, "he that worketh ...
/.../barnabas/the epistle of barnabas /chapter ii the jewish sacrifices are.htm

1 John iv. 12-Apr
... [2354] Now that which forgiveth is none other than charity. Take away charity from
the heart; hatred possesseth it, it knows not how to forgive. ...
/.../ten homilies on the epistle of john to the parthians/homily vii 1 john iv.htm

Possesseth (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Possesseth (5 Occurrences). Luke 12:15 And he
said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for ...
/p/possesseth.htm - 8k

Possessing (18 Occurrences)

/p/possessing.htm - 12k

Inherits (5 Occurrences)
... Numbers 36:8 And every daughter, that possesseth an inheritance in any tribe of
the children of Israel, shall be wife unto one of the family of the tribe of ...
/i/inherits.htm - 7k

Tribal (25 Occurrences)
... Numbers 36:8 And every daughter, that possesseth an inheritance in any tribe of
the children of Israel, shall be wife unto one of the family of the tribe of ...
/t/tribal.htm - 13k

Possessest (1 Occurrence)

/p/possessest.htm - 6k

Consisteth (1 Occurrence)
... Luke 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's
life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. ...
/c/consisteth.htm - 6k

Smiteth (156 Occurrences)
... Numbers 21:24 And Israel smiteth him by the mouth of the sword, and possesseth his
land from Arnon unto Jabbok -- unto the sons of Ammon; for the border of the ...
/s/smiteth.htm - 38k

Enjoy (68 Occurrences)
... Numbers 36:8 And every daughter, that possesseth an inheritance in any tribe of
the children of Israel, shall be wife unto one of the family of the tribe of ...
/e/enjoy.htm - 26k

Heed (223 Occurrences)
... Luke 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's
life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. ...
/h/heed.htm - 36k

Tribes (141 Occurrences)
... Numbers 36:8 And every daughter that possesseth an inheritance among the tribes
of the children of Israel, shall be married to one of the family of the tribe ...
/t/tribes.htm - 41k

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