What is meant by "the earth" in the verse: "And We made them inherit the earth, abiding in Paradise wherever we wish"?

The meaning of "the earth" in the verse: "And He made us inherit the earth, we take our abode in Paradise wherever we wish" is Paradise, as most exegetes have preferred. The evidence for this is other verses such as: "Indeed, the earth will be inherited by My righteous servants," and "That is Paradise which We shall give as inheritance to those of Our servants who are pious," and "This is the Paradise which you have been made to inherit for what you used to do." This means that the people of Paradise praise Allah, Who made them inherit Paradise, and they will take whatever dwellings they wish therein.