Numbers 33:55

55 But if ye will not slay the dwellers of the land, they, that abide, shall be to you as nails in the eyes, and as spears in the sides; and they shall be adversaries to you in the land of your habitation; (But if ye do not kill all the inhabitants of the land, they, who remain, shall be to you like nails in your eyes, and like spears in your sides; and they shall be your adversaries in the very land where you live;)

Numbers 33:55 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 33:55

But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land
before you
Should be remiss and careless about it, and indifferent to it, and not make use of the proper means to get rid of them, but, on the contrary, make covenants with them, and intermarry among them; or, however, become friendly to them, and suffer them to dwell among them:

then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them;
sparing their lives, and permitting them to dwell among them:

shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides;
which figurative expressions show that they should be very troublesome and distressing to them, even in their most tender and nearest concerns, and dearest relations, and which are explained and more properly expressed as follows:

and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell;
among other things by their wicked conversation, and by drawing them into sin through their ill examples, and so bring the displeasure of God upon them, and punishment for their evil doings.

Numbers 33:55 In-Context

53 and cleanse ye (out) the land, and (kill ye) all the men dwelling therein. For I have given to you that land into possession (For I have given you that land for a possession),

54 which ye shall part to you by lot; to more men in number ye shall give larger land, and to fewer men in number straiter, or less, land, as the lot falleth to all men, so [the] heritage shall be given; the possession shall be parted to lineages and families. (which ye shall divide among yourselves by lot; to those greater in number ye shall give more land, and to those fewer in number, less land, as the lot falleth to all, so the inheritance shall be given; the possession shall be divided among tribes and families.)

55 But if ye will not slay the dwellers of the land, they, that abide, shall be to you as nails in the eyes, and as spears in the sides; and they shall be adversaries to you in the land of your habitation; (But if ye do not kill all the inhabitants of the land, they, who remain, shall be to you like nails in your eyes, and like spears in your sides; and they shall be your adversaries in the very land where you live;)

56 and whatever thing I (had) thought to do to them, I shall do to you.