Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, "possessing" often refers to the act of taking ownership or control over land, property, or spiritual blessings. This concept is deeply rooted in the narrative of the Israelites and their journey to the Promised Land, as well as in the broader theological themes of inheritance and divine promise.
Old Testament ContextThe idea of possessing is prominently featured in the Old Testament, particularly in relation to the land of Canaan. God promised this land to Abraham and his descendants as an everlasting possession. In
Genesis 17:8 , God declares, "And to you and your descendants I will give the land of your sojourn—all the land of Canaan—as an eternal possession; and I will be their God."
The fulfillment of this promise is a central theme in the books of Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, and Joshua. The Israelites' journey from Egypt to Canaan is marked by God's guidance and provision, culminating in the conquest of the land under Joshua's leadership. In
Deuteronomy 1:8 , Moses reminds the Israelites, "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."
Possessing the land was not merely a physical act but also a spiritual one, requiring obedience to God's commandments. The Israelites were instructed to drive out the inhabitants of Canaan and to avoid adopting their idolatrous practices. In
Numbers 33:53 , God commands, "You are to take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given you the land to possess."
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the concept of possessing takes on a more spiritual dimension. Believers are called to possess the promises of God through faith in Jesus Christ. This includes the inheritance of eternal life and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. In
Ephesians 1:13-14 , Paul writes, "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."
The New Testament also emphasizes the idea of believers possessing spiritual gifts and virtues. In
2 Peter 1:5-8 , Peter encourages Christians to "make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities and continue to grow in them, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Theological ImplicationsTheologically, possessing is linked to the covenant relationship between God and His people. It signifies the fulfillment of God's promises and the responsibility of His people to live in accordance with His will. The act of possessing is both a gift from God and a call to faithfulness, requiring trust in His provision and adherence to His commandments.
In summary, possessing in the biblical sense encompasses both the physical act of taking hold of God's promises and the spiritual reality of living in the fullness of His blessings. It is a dynamic process that involves faith, obedience, and the continual pursuit of God's purposes.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Possess.
Greek
4047. peripoiesis -- preservation, acquisition... of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: peripoiesis Phonetic Spelling:
(per-ee-poy'-ay-sis) Short Definition: obtaining,
possessing, possession Definition
...3539. noeo -- to perceive, think
... This follows from each of us being created in the divine image -- hence,
possessing the by the Lord to exercise moral reasoning....
2722. katecho -- to hold fast, hold back
... Word Usage afflicted (1), bound (1), heading (1), hold...fast (1), hold fast (5),
hold firmly (1), keep (2), occupy (1), possess (1),possessing (1), restrains...
Strong's Hebrew
3423. yarash -- to take possession of, inherit, dispossess... Or yaresh {yaw-raysh'}; a primitive root; to occupy (by driving out previous tenants,
and
possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to
...Library
Possessing and Possessed
...POSSESSING AND POSSESSED.... I. The mutual possession. God is our portion. That
thought presupposes the possibility of ourpossessing God....
Whether Religious Perfection is Diminished byPossessing Something...
... OF THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF RELIGIOUS LIFE (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether religious
perfection is diminished bypossessing something in common?...
The Blessedness ofPossessing Nothing
... II The Blessedness ofPossessing Nothing.... Though free from all sense ofpossessing,
they yet possess all things. "Theirs is the kingdom of heaven."....
That the Lust ofPossessing, and Money, are not to be Sought For.
... Third Book. 61. That the lust ofpossessing, and money, are not to be sought
for. In Solomon, in Ecclesiasticus: "He that loveth...
Possessing, and "Working Out. "
... CHAPTER III.POSSESSING, AND "WORKING OUT.". I CAN imagine some one asking:
What does that passage mean""Work out your own salvation...
As Therefore the Apostle, Nay Rather the Spirit of GodPossessing...
... Section 19. As therefore the Apostle, nay rather the Spirit of Godpossessing
and filling and? 19. As therefore the Apostle, nay...
Those Pastors are to be Heard to whom the Apostles Committed the...
... Against Heresies: Book V Chapter XX."Those pastors are to be heard to whom the apostles
committed the Churches,possessing one and the same doctrine of...
Whether any Creature Can be Like God
... form. Some things are said to be like because they agree inpossessing a
form which is similar both in nature and in measure. They...
The Commandments
... the sake of eminence, and not from a delight in uses and for the sake of public
good; while love of the world means especially a love ofpossessing goods in...
Doctrines of the Ophites and Sethians.
... which proceeded from the woman by ebullition, being besprinkled with light, fell
downward from the place occupied by its progenitors, yetpossessing by its own...
Thesaurus
Possessing (18 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Possess. Multi-Version
Concordance
Possessing (18 Occurrences). Romans 2:27 although
...Good (8348 Occurrences)
... 1. (superl.)Possessing desirable qualities; adapted to answer the end designed;
promoting success, welfare, or happiness; serviceable; useful; fit; excellent...
Capable (10 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.)Possessing ability, qualification, or susceptibility; having capacity; of
sufficient size or strength; as, a room capable of holding a large number; a...
Nervous (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.)possessing nerve; sinewy; strong; vigorous.
2. (a.)Possessing or manifesting vigor of mind; characterized...
Rejoicing (90 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 7:30 and they that weep, as not weeping; and they that rejoice, as
not rejoicing; and they that buy, as notpossessing; (DBY YLT RSV)....
Consistent (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.)Possessing firmness or fixedness; firm;
hard; solid. 2. (a.) Having agreement with itself or with...
Alexandria (4 Occurrences)
... It was in furtherance of this general policy that the Jews in Alexandria were given
special privileges, and though probably notpossessing full civic rights...
Ethics
... constitution and evolution of his faculties and feelings as a psychical being; and
ethics, which treats of him as a volitional being,possessing will or...
Images (158 Occurrences)
... idols as being images of the gods, but the Hebrews, though Yahweh's temple was
imageless, thought of normal humanity as in some true sensepossessing a sacred...
Virginity (12 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 7:29 if) is based on the greater freedom for service (compare Matthew
19:12), and the Greek estimate of virginity aspossessing a religious...
Resources
What will we look like in heaven? | GotQuestions.orgHow do we distinguish a psychological disorder from demon possession? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the definitions of some common theological terms? | GotQuestions.orgPossessing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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