In biblical terminology, the concept of "possessors" often refers to those who hold ownership or control over land, property, or spiritual blessings. The term is used in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, highlighting both the physical and spiritual dimensions of possession.

Old Testament Context

1. Land Ownership: In the Old Testament, the idea of possession is closely tied to the Promised Land. God promised the land of Canaan to Abraham and his descendants as an everlasting possession. Genesis 17:8 states, "And to you and your descendants I will give the land where you are residing—all the land of Canaan—as an eternal possession; and I will be their God." This promise was foundational for the Israelites, who were to become the possessors of the land after their exodus from Egypt and subsequent conquest under Joshua.

2. Inheritance Laws: The laws concerning inheritance in the Mosaic Law further emphasize the importance of possession. Land was to remain within the family and tribe, ensuring that each tribe maintained its allotted inheritance. Numbers 36:7 instructs, "No inheritance in Israel is to pass from tribe to tribe, for each Israelite tribe is to keep the land it inherits."

3. Spiritual Possession: Beyond physical land, the Old Testament also speaks of spiritual possession. The Israelites were to be a people possessed by God, set apart for His purposes. Deuteronomy 7:6 declares, "For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession, out of all the peoples on the face of the earth."

New Testament Context

1. Spiritual Inheritance: In the New Testament, the concept of possession shifts more towards spiritual inheritance. Believers in Christ are described as heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. Romans 8:17 states, "And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him."

2. Possession of the Holy Spirit: The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a significant aspect of spiritual possession for Christians. Ephesians 1:13-14 explains, "And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth—the gospel of your salvation—you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory."

3. Kingdom of God: The New Testament also speaks of believers as possessors of the Kingdom of God. Jesus taught that the meek would inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5), and Paul wrote about the saints inheriting the kingdom (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).

Theological Implications

The concept of possession in the Bible carries significant theological implications. It underscores God's sovereignty and His authority to grant and reclaim possession according to His divine will. It also highlights the responsibility of the possessors to steward what has been entrusted to them, whether it be land, resources, or spiritual gifts. The ultimate possession for believers is the eternal inheritance promised through faith in Jesus Christ, which transcends earthly possessions and points to the hope of eternal life with God.3423. yarash -- to take possession of, inherit, dispossess
... 13), possession (2), receive (1), ruler* (1), seize (1), supplants (1), take over
(1), take possession (19), take possession of his possessors (1), taken ...
/hebrew/3423.htm - 7k

1167. baal -- owner, lord
... husband (8), husbands (2), leaders (6), lords (1), man (3), married* (2), master's
(1), masters (1), men (14), owner (15), owners (2), possessors (2), relative ...
/hebrew/1167.htm - 6k

Objection from the Fact that Some Human Bodies have Become Part of ...
... ground that the same parts cannot rise again with one set of bodies, and with another
as well; for that either the bodies of the former possessors cannot be ...
/.../chapter iv objection from the fact.htm

The Overthrow of the Tyrants and the Words which they Uttered ...
... by any city,"whether they have been sold or presented to any one as a gift,"that
all these should be restored to their original possessors, the Christians ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter x the overthrow of the.htm

The Charge of the Pilgrim Priests
... To none other guardianship but the guardianship of the possessors of a symbolic
and ceremonial purity, could the vessels of a symbolic and ceremonial worship ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the charge of the pilgrim.htm

Mordecai and Esther
... Whatever is not used for God becomes a snare first, then injures the possessors,
and tends to destroy the possessors. The march of Providence goes on. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/mordecai and esther.htm

1 Timothy iv. 3-Jan
... If these things are good, then the possessors of them must be called good.
For is not he good, who is the possessor of what is good? ...
/.../homily xii 1 timothy iv.htm

1 Cor. xiv. 1
... [7.] Further, because he had run down the possessors of this gift, as though they
had no such great thing; that he might not seem to hold them cheap, as being ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxxv 1 cor xiv.htm

Sons and Heirs
... God Himself is His greatest gift. The loftiest blessing which we can receive
is that we should be heirs, possessors of God. There ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/sons and heirs.htm

Who is the Rich Man that Shall be Saved?
... account to the judgment of God; and treacherous, because, although wealth is of
itself sufficient to puff up and corrupt the souls of its possessors, and to ...
/.../clement/who is the rich man that shall be saved/who is the rich man.htm

Introductory Notice to Dionysius, Bishop of Rome.
... The purely receptive character of the Roman See during the Ante-Nicene period must
be sufficiently apparent to the possessors of the volumes of this series. ...
/.../dionysius/against the sabellians/introductory notice to dionysius bishop.htm

The Life of Sir Thomas Browne.
... or fortune eminent men have been distinguished, how uncommon attainments have been
gained, and what influence learning has had on its possessors, or virtue on ...
//christianbookshelf.org/browne/christian morals/the life of sir thomas.htm

Possessors (14 Occurrences)
...Possessors (14 Occurrences). ... Luke 18:24 Jesus saw his sorrow, and said, "With how
hard a struggle do the possessors of riches ever enter the Kingdom of God! ...
/p/possessors.htm - 10k

Possessor (12 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Ecclesiastes 7:12 For wisdom 'is' a defense, money 'is' a defence, And the
advantage of the knowledge of wisdom 'is', She reviveth her possessors. ...
/p/possessor.htm - 10k

Masters (59 Occurrences)
... ale shebhu`ah (Nehemiah 6:18) `the sworn,' and the frequently occurring ba`ale
ha-`ir `the citizens': so ba`ale 'acuppoth means, the possessors of assemblies ...
/m/masters.htm - 26k

Assemblies (48 Occurrences)
... ale shebhu`ah (Nehemiah 6:18) `the sworn,' and the frequently occurring ba`ale
ha-`ir `the citizens': so ba`ale 'acuppoth means, the possessors of assemblies ...
/a/assemblies.htm - 22k

Struggle (16 Occurrences)
... Mark 10:23 Then looking round on His disciples Jesus said, "With how hard a struggle
will the possessors of riches enter the Kingdom of God!" (WEY). ...
/s/struggle.htm - 11k

Needy (83 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Acts 4:34 And, in fact, there was not a needy man among them, for all who
were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the money which they ...
/n/needy.htm - 30k

Goods (231 Occurrences)
... that, in the infant church at Jerusalem, "all that believed were together, and had
all things common," and (Acts 4:34) "as many as were possessors of lands or ...
/g/goods.htm - 43k

Reviveth (8 Occurrences)
... Ecclesiastes 7:12 For wisdom 'is' a defense, money 'is' a defence, And the advantage
of the knowledge of wisdom 'is', She reviveth her possessors. (YLT). ...
/r/reviveth.htm - 8k

Realised (2 Occurrences)
... Acts 4:34 And, in fact, there was not a needy man among them, for all who were
possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the money which they ...
/r/realised.htm - 7k

Prices (3 Occurrences)
... Acts 4:34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors
of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that ...
/p/prices.htm - 7k

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