Numbers 33:52

Translations

Modern

…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.

Traditional

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:

Literal

…you shall drive out all those dwelling in the land from before you and destroy all their carved figures, and all their molten images you shall destroy, and all their high places you shall demolish.

Latin

…disperdite cunctos habitatores terræ illius: confringite titulos, et statuas comminuite, atque omnia excelsa vastate,

Original

Hebrew

English

…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.

Notes

Numbers 33:50–56

After the Israelites arrived at the plains of Moab, across from Jericho (22:1), they camped there. They remained in that place for the rest of the events recorded in Numbers (see 36:13; Deuteronomy 34:8).

While they camped there, God gave Israel specific instructions on how to deal with the people of Canaan. The Lord commanded them to destroy the people groups living in Canaan and remove all traces of their religious practices (compare Exodus 23:23–33; 34:11–17; Deuteronomy 7:1–6; 12:2–4; Joshua 23:4–8).

Moses said they must destroy carved and metal idols (compare Leviticus 26:1). They were also to tear down pagan places of worship (see Deuteronomy 12:2–3).

Numbers 33:1–56

This review of the entire wilderness period includes the longest connected list of place names in the Old Testament. It begins with Israel’s departure from Egypt (33:3; compare Exodus 12:37). It ends with their arrival in the plains of Moab, across from Jericho (Numbers 33:49; compare 22:1).
The list names 42 stopping places along the way. These places represent more than a physical journey from one land to another. They also remind readers of Israel’s forty years of spiritual growth and testing.
Israel traveled from Rameses in Egypt (33:3) to Abel-shittim on the plains of Moab (33:49). During these years, the people became ready to enter the land of Canaan and receive the promises God had made to Abraham.
This list does not give enough information to trace an exact route on a map. Many of the places cannot be identified with certainty. Some of these names do not appear anywhere else in the Hebrew Bible.
In addition, there are not enough details to locate these places precisely. The list is also selective. It does not include every place that earlier parts of the journey mention.

Related verses

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.
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.
Deuteronomy 20:16–18
However, in the cities of the nations that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, you must not leave alive anything that breathes.
Deuteronomy 7:2–5
…and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you to defeat them, then you must devote them to complete destruction. Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy.
Deuteronomy 12:2–3
Destroy completely all the places where the nations you are dispossessing have served their gods—atop the high mountains, on the hills, and under every green tree.
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?
Exodus 34:12–17
Be careful not to make a treaty with the inhabitants of the land you are entering, lest they become a snare in your midst.
Joshua 11:11–12
The Israelites put everyone in Hazor to the sword, devoting them to destruction. Nothing that breathed remained, and Joshua burned down Hazor itself.
Deuteronomy 12:30–31
…be careful not to be ensnared by their ways after they have been destroyed before you. Do not inquire about their gods, asking, “How do these nations serve their gods? I will do likewise.”
Exodus 23:31–33
And I will establish your borders from the Red Sea to the Sea of the Philistines, and from the desert to the Euphrates. For I will deliver the inhabitants into your hand, and you will drive them out before you.
Joshua 23:7
So you are not to associate with these nations that remain among you. You must not call on the names of their gods or swear by them, and you must not serve them or bow down to them.
Psalm 106:34–36
They did not destroy the peoples as the LORD had commanded them,

Glossary

Arabah Deuteronomy, Book of High Place Numbers, Book of

Topics

High Places of the Canaanites to be Destroyed High Places: The Idolatrous, to be Destroyed Iconoclasm: Idols to be Destroyed Idolatry: Objects of Pictures Picture: General Scriptures Concerning

Numbers 33:52

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Related verses?

Glossary?

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