Topical Encyclopedia
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 Context1.
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 Context1.
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 ImplicationsThe 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.
Strong's Hebrew
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
...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...
Library
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 formerpossessors cannot be...
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 originalpossessors, the Christians...
The Charge of the Pilgrim Priests
... To none other guardianship but the guardianship of thepossessors of a symbolic
and ceremonial purity, could the vessels of a symbolic and ceremonial worship...
Mordecai and Esther
... Whatever is not used for God becomes a snare first, then injures thepossessors,
and tends to destroy thepossessors. The march of Providence goes on....
1 Timothy iv. 3-Jan
... If these things are good, then thepossessors of them must be called good.
For is not he good, who is the possessor of what is good?...
1 Cor. xiv. 1
... [7.] Further, because he had run down thepossessors of this gift, as though they
had no such great thing; that he might not seem to hold them cheap, as being...
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...
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 itspossessors, and to...
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 thepossessors of the volumes of this series....
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 itspossessors, or virtue on...
Thesaurus
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!
...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 herpossessors....
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, thepossessors of assemblies...
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, thepossessors of assemblies...
Struggle (16 Occurrences)
... Mark 10:23 Then looking round on His disciples Jesus said, "With how hard a struggle
will thepossessors of riches enter the Kingdom of God!" (WEY)....
Needy (83 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Acts 4:34 And, in fact, there was not a needy man among them, for all who
werepossessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the money which they...
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 werepossessors of lands or...
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 herpossessors. (YLT)....
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...
Prices (3 Occurrences)
... Acts 4:34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as werepossessors
of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that...
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