Numbers 33:55
But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell.
Cross-references
Exodus 23:33 warns that letting inhabitants stay will become a snare causing sin — the same danger described here as barb and thorns.
Deuteronomy 7:4 warns that intermarriage will turn sons away from God and kindle His anger — reinforcing the same consequence.
Deuteronomy 7:16 reinforces the same command to destroy the nations, warning against sparing them—parallel to the 'thorns in your sides' threat.
In Joshua 23:12, the warning against intermarrying with remaining nations echoes the consequence of not driving them out—a snare.
Joshua 23:13 directly parallels the 'thorns and snares' imagery, describing the same future trouble from undriven peoples.
Judges 1:21-36 narrates the failure to drive out inhabitants, fulfilling the warning in Numbers 33:55 with specific examples.
Judges 2:3 uses the exact 'thorns in your sides' language, confirming the warning's direct fulfillment in Israel's history.
Psalm 106:34-36 reviews Israel's failure to destroy the nations, leading to idolatry—a later reflection on the same consequence.
Ezekiel 28:24 promises the removal of 'briar and thorn' neighbors, contrasting the warning of persistent trouble in Numbers 33:55.
Joshua 13:13 records that the Geshurites and Maacathites were not driven out—a direct example of the warning's violation.