The heading is a phrase from Judges 6:34, NSRV translation. The Hebrew word that has been translated into "took possession" is labash and means to put on, wear, clothe or be clothed. In other words, the Spirit is wearing Gideon. The NRSV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible comments on this verse:
According to the normal use of this form of this Hebrew verb (“to clothe”), the Hebrew reads “the Spirit of the LORD put on Gideon,” suggesting that the Spirit “wears” Gideon, i.e., the Spirit is inside him, rather than Gideon “wearing” the Spirit, as an external force. This raises the question whether the Spirit functions as an internal or external force.
The question about the Spirit functioning as an internal or external force is worth pondering. Especially considering the fact that there are other passages of scripture describing the Spirit of the Lord coming or rushing upon someone. There are multiple examples of that also in the book of Judges, like 3:10, 11:29, 14:6 and 15:14. In these examples, the spirit is portrayed as more of an external force. There are also other scriptures using the labash or the clothing metaphor to describe righteous people enwrapped in the divine, which is the opposite of what happens with Gideon. Clothed in glory or in the robe of righteousness, etc. is a topic that has been discussed frequently on this blog. See for instance this post with links to related posts. These examples would describe the spirit as more of an external force, so Judges 6:34 creates an interesting twist. Like Gideon, we can become worthy of becoming the clothing of the spirit, something that he feels comfortable wearing!
The phrase from Judges 6:34 is almost unique in the Old Testament. I found one other example.
And the of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the Lord, that ye cannot ? because ye have forsaken the Lord, he hath also forsaken you. (2 Chronicles 24:20)
In the KJV it has been translated as "came upon", in the NSRV it is "took possession of" like in Judges, but the underlying Hebrew is labesh so a more accurate translation would be that the Spirit of God put on Zechariah. The idea of the Spirit inside of us instead of upon us is not unique in these two verses in 2 Chronicles and Judges, though. But it is usually portrayed as the Spirit dwelling in us rather than wearing us.
And they saw that they had become , like unto their brethren, the Lamanites, and that the Spirit of the Lord did no more preserve them; yea, it had withdrawn from them because the Spirit of the Lord doth not in
The difference between our bodies/temples and clothes are not as big as we might think, not to the ancient Israelite mind. For instance, in Job 10:11, Job says that God has clothed (Hebr. labash) him in skin and flesh, i.e. given him a mortal body. There was a symbolic connection between your body, your clothes and your dwelling place. The Savior was sometimes described as dwelling in a tabernacle, meaning his mortal body. Also, Levite priests wore special garments when entering into the ancient tabernacle that were made of the same fabric as the tabernacle itself. They were also changed when the priest moved from the holy place into the holy of holies, emulating the different fabrics of the tabernacle.
Back to the question about the Spirit as an internal or external force. The obvious answer is both.
43 And it came to pass that when they cast their eyes about, and saw that the cloud of darkness was dispersed from overshadowing them, behold, they saw that they were about, yea every soul, by a pillar of fire.
44 And and were in the midst of them; yea, they were encircled about; yea, they were as if in the midst of a flaming fire, yet it did harm them not, neither did it take hold upon the walls of the prison; and they were filled with that which is unspeakable and full of glory.
45 And behold, the of God did come down from heaven, and did enter into their hearts, and they were filled as if with fire, and they could forth marvelous words. (Helaman 5)
In this example the fire was encircling them from the outside and filling them inside. A similar example from D&C including both "round about" and "in your hearts".
And whoso you, there I will be also, for I will go your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my shall be in your hearts, and mine round about you, to bear you up. (D&C 84:88)
