Possess; Possession
TextsWhat is the meaning of Possess; Possession in the Bible?
In Elizabethan English and Old Testament translations, the verb 'possess' primarily denotes the act of taking into possession or acquiring, rather than the modern sense of retaining ownership. This semantic distinction between acquisition and retention is not consistently maintained across different biblical translations.
TEXTUAL SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing that 'possess' often means 'to take possession of' in biblical contexts allows readers to accurately distinguish between characters actively claiming new territory and those maintaining established control, thereby clarifying the narrative dynamics of land acquisition and inheritance.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Possess; Possession in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Possess; Possession clarify?
Related Topics
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.