Lexical Summary
nachalah: Inheritance, possession, heritage, property
Original Word:נַחֲלָה
Part of Speech:Noun Feminine
Transliteration:nachalah
Pronunciation:nah-khah-LAH
Phonetic Spelling:(nakh-al-aw')
KJV: heritage, to inherit, inheritance, possession
NASB:inheritance, heritage, possession, gift, give, hereditary, heritages
Word Origin:[fromH5157 (נָחַל - inherit) (in its usual sense)]
1. (properly) something inherited
2. (abstractly) occupancy
3. (concretely) an heirloom
4. (generally) an estate, patrimony or portion
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
heritage, to inherit, inheritance, possession
Fromnachal (in its usual sense); properly, something inherited, i.e. (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion -- heritage, to inherit, inheritance, possession. Comparenachal.
see HEBREWnachal
see HEBREWnachal
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom an unused word
Definitionpossession, property, inheritance
NASB Translationgift (1), give (1), hereditary (1), heritage (14), heritages (1), inheritance (197), inheritances (1), portion (1), possession (7).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
224 (originally
gift; Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew); —
Numbers 18:23 +;
Psalm 16:6 (Ges
§ 90g), read Ew SS We Kö
ii. 1, 425; construct
Joshua 13:23; suffix
Ruth 4:6;
Psalm 105:11; plural
Isaiah 49:8,
Joshua 19:51;
property:
to Israel,Judges 20:6;Isaiah 58:14, especiallyDeuteronomy 4:21;Deuteronomy 15:4;Deuteronomy 19:10;Deuteronomy 20:16;Deuteronomy 21:28;Deuteronomy 24:4;Deuteronomy 25:19;Deuteronomy 26:1 (all D);Jeremiah 12:14.
Numbers 16:14;Numbers 36:2;Joshua 14:3 (restore ),Joshua 17:4,14;Joshua 19:49 (all P);Deuteronomy 29:7;Joshua 11:23;Joshua 14:13 (all D2); Joshua 17:6(J);Numbers 26:53,56 (P);Numbers 34:2 (P),Judges 18:1;Ezekiel 47:22;Joshua 13:6;Joshua 23:4 (D2),Ezekiel 45:1;Ezekiel 47:22, alsoEzekiel 47:22 (Co reads for ).
,Psalm 111:6; of the kingPsalm 2:8.
Numbers 18:23,24;Deuteronomy 10:9;Deuteronomy 12:12; their possession isNumbers 18:20 (P);Deuteronomy 10:9;Deuteronomy 18:2;Joshua 13:14,33 (all D); the tithesNumbers 18:21,24,26 (P).
takes Israel as his property,1 Samuel 10:1;1 Kings 8:53;2 Kings 21:14;Isaiah 19:25;Micah 7:18;Psalm 33:12;Psalm 68:10;Psalm 106:5;Deuteronomy 4:20 (D2);Deuteronomy 9:26,29 (D),1 Kings 8:51; ""Isaiah 47:6;Joel 2:17; Joel 4:2;Micah 7:14;Psalm 28:9;Psalm 78:62;Psalm 78:71;Psalm 94:5;Psalm 94:14;Psalm 106:40;1 Samuel 26:19;2 Samuel 20:19;2 Samuel 21:3;2 Samuel 14:16;Deuteronomy 32:9;Jeremiah 10:16 =Jeremiah 51:19,Psalm 74:2;Isaiah 63:17; also, the holy mountainExodus 15:17 (song), templeJeremiah 12:7;Psalm 79:1, landJeremiah 2:7;Jeremiah 12:8,9;Jeremiah 16:18;Jeremiah 50:11.
portion, share:
,Isaiah 54:17;Psalm 37:18;Psalm 127:3; elsewhere ""Job 20:29;Job 27:13;Job 31:2.
, "" ,2 Samuel 20:1we have no share in the son of Jesse =1 Kings 12:16 2Chronicles 10:16.
inheritance (45 t.)Genesis 31:14 (E)portion or inheritance in the house of our father;Numbers 27:7,8 (P)cause the inheritance to pass unto;Numbers 27:9,10,11 (P),Job 42:15;Numbers 36:3,8;1 Kings 21:3,4;Proverbs 19:14;Ezekiel 46:16.
Topical Lexicon
Overview of Biblical UsageNas·cha·lah appears about two hundred twenty-three times and always relates to the concept of an inherited possession granted by divine decree. It ties the covenant people to place, promise, family continuity, and ultimately to the Lord Himself. The word threads through Torah legislation, historical narratives, prayers, wisdom sayings, and prophetic visions, establishing “inheritance” as both gift and responsibility.
Inheritance in the Patriarchal and Mosaic Covenants
From Genesis onward, God pledges land to Abraham’s seed “to possess as an inheritance” (Genesis 15:7). That promise becomes the central hope driving the exodus and wilderness years. The law of Moses repeatedly calls Canaan “the land that will fall to you as an inheritance” (Numbers 34:2). The covenant context makes inheritance more than real estate; it is evidence of God’s faithfulness and the setting for Israel’s holiness.
Tribal Allotments under Joshua
Joshua carefully distributes the land “according to their divisions as an inheritance” (Joshua 14:1). Boundary lists (Joshua 13–22) underscore God’s precision—each tribe receives its ordained share, neither more nor less. Cities of refuge, Levitical towns, and common lands are all framed as subdivisions of the wider inheritance, safeguarding justice and worship throughout the land.
Family Holdings and Legal Safeguards
Within the tribal inheritance, family parcels are held in perpetuity. Mosaic statutes bar permanent alienation (Leviticus 25:23–28) and establish redemption rights and Jubilee release. The case of Zelophehad’s daughters (Numbers 27:7; 36:6–9) shows God’s concern that no clan lose its name or parcel. Naboth’s refusal to sell his vineyard (1 Kings 21) illustrates personal loyalty to the sacred trust of inheritance.
Priestly and Levitical Dimensions
Levi obtains no territorial nachalah. Instead, “The Lord is his inheritance” (Deuteronomy 10:9;Numbers 18:20). Tithes, offerings, and forty-eight assigned cities supply the tribe’s material needs, while emphasizing that worship rather than acreage is their heritage. This unique arrangement highlights the greater value of fellowship with God over land.
Inheritance as Divine Gift and Obligation
Scripture speaks of Israel itself as God’s inheritance: “Save Your people and bless Your inheritance” (Psalm 28:9). Conversely, Yahweh is portrayed as the believer’s inheritance: “The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup” (Psalm 16:5). Possession and belonging are reciprocal—what God gives becomes the means by which His people belong to Him.
Poetic and Wisdom Literature Uses
Psalms often use nachalah to celebrate covenant security (Psalm 33:12; 78:71). Proverbs warns that an inheritance gained hastily will dwindle (Proverbs 20:21), while acknowledging that “Houses and wealth are inherited from fathers” (Proverbs 19:14). These texts teach stewardship, patience, and the priority of character over assets.
Prophetic Vision of Restored Inheritance
When exile threatens or occurs, prophets invoke the lost inheritance to spur repentance and hope. Jeremiah laments those who “have defiled My inheritance” (Jeremiah 16:18) but also promises restoration (Jeremiah 3:19). Ezekiel maps a future land in meticulous detail, concluding, “this land will fall to you as an inheritance” (Ezekiel 47:14). Isaiah looks beyond Israel to a worldwide inheritance for Messiah (Isaiah 54:17).
Messianic and New Testament Echoes
The Septuagint regularly renders nachalah with the Greek word klēronomia, laying a lexical bridge to New Testament passages about believers as “heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17) and about “an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading” (1 Peter 1:4). The Old Testament pattern of land possession prefigures a greater spiritual inheritance secured through the finished work of Jesus Christ.
Applications for Ministry and Discipleship
• Assurance: God keeps His promises; believers may rest in the certainty of their eternal inheritance.
• Stewardship: Material possessions are trusts to be managed for God’s glory, never ultimate ends.
• Identity: Just as land shaped Israel’s life and worship, union with Christ defines the believer’s calling and conduct.
• Hope: The prophetic restoration of inheritance fuels perseverance amid present trials.
Selected Key References
Genesis 15:7;Exodus 32:13;Numbers 18:20;Numbers 27:7;Numbers 34:2;Deuteronomy 10:9;Deuteronomy 19:14;Joshua 14:1;1 Kings 21:3;Psalm 16:5-6;Psalm 28:9;Proverbs 19:14;Isaiah 54:17;Jeremiah 3:19;Ezekiel 47:13-14.
Forms and Transliterations
בְּֽנַחֲלָ֔ה בְּֽנַחֲלָתֶ֗ךָ בְּנַ֣חֲלָת֔וֹ בְּנַֽחֲלָתָ֑ם בְּנַחֲלַ֤ת בְּנַחֲלַת֙ בְּנַחֲלַתְכֶ֑ם בְּנַחֲלָ֖ה בְּנַחֲלָ֗ה בְּנַחֲלָ֛ה בְּנַחֲלָֽה׃ בְּנַחֲלָֽתְךָ֙ בְּנַחֲלָה֒ בְּנַחֲלָתָֽם׃ בְּנַחֲלָתֽוֹ׃ בְנַחֲלָ֔ה בַּֽנַּחֲלָ֔ה בנחלה בנחלה׃ בנחלת בנחלתו בנחלתו׃ בנחלתך בנחלתכם בנחלתם בנחלתם׃ הַֽנַּחֲלָ֔ה הַנְּחָלֹ֡ת הנחלה הנחלת וְ֝נַחֲלָת֗וֹ וְ֝נַחֲלָתָ֗ם וְֽנַחֲלַ֥ת וְֽנַחֲלָתְךָ֥ וְנַחֲלַ֖ת וְנַחֲלָ֖ה וְנַחֲלָ֜ה וְנַחֲלָ֣תְךָ֔ וְנַחֲלָ֥ה וְנַחֲלָת֖וֹ וְנַחֲלָתְךָ֖ וְנַחֲלָתִ֖י וְנַחֲלָתִ֤י וְנַחֲלָתִ֥י וְנַחֲלָתֶ֑ךָ וְנַחֲלָתֽוֹ׃ וַיִּנְחֲל֥וּ וּ֝בְנַחֲלָת֗וֹ וּמִֽנַּחֲלַת֙ ובנחלתו וינחלו ומנחלת ונחלה ונחלת ונחלתו ונחלתו׃ ונחלתי ונחלתך ונחלתם לְֽנַחֲלָ֔ה לְנַחְלַ֧ת לְנַחֲלָ֑ה לְנַחֲלָ֔ה לְנַחֲלָ֛ה לְנַחֲלָ֣ה לְנַחֲלָ֧ה לְנַחֲלָֽה׃ לְנַחֲלָת֖וֹ לְנַחֲלָתֽוֹ׃ לנחלה לנחלה׃ לנחלת לנחלתו לנחלתו׃ מִֽנַּחֲלַ֖ת מִֽנַּחֲלַ֛ת מִֽנַּחֲלָ֖ה מִנַּחֲלַ֣ת מִנַּחֲלָֽתְךָ֙ מִנַּחֲלָת֗וֹ מִנַּחֲלָתָ֖ם מנחלה מנחלת מנחלתו מנחלתך מנחלתם נְחָל֥וֹת נַ֝חֲלָ֗ה נַ֝חֲלָ֗ת נַ֣חֲלָת֔וֹ נַ֣חֲלָתָ֔ם נַ֭חֲלָה נַֽחֲלַ֥ת נַֽחֲלָ֔ה נַֽחֲלָה֙ נַֽחֲלָה־ נַֽחֲלָת֑וֹ נַֽחֲלָתֶ֔ךָ נַֽחֲלָתָ֑ם נַֽחֲלָתָ֔ם נַֽחֲלָתָ֖ם נַחֲלַ֖ת נַחֲלַ֛ת נַחֲלַ֣ת נַחֲלַ֤ת נַחֲלַ֥ת נַחֲלַ֨ת נַחֲלַת֙ נַחֲלַת֩ נַחֲלַתְכֶֽם׃ נַחֲלָ֑ה נַחֲלָ֔ה נַחֲלָ֖ה נַחֲלָ֗ה נַחֲלָ֛ה נַחֲלָ֣ה נַחֲלָֽה׃ נַחֲלָֽתְךָ֔ נַחֲלָה֙ נַחֲלָת֑וֹ נַחֲלָת֔וֹ נַחֲלָת֖וֹ נַחֲלָת֗וֹ נַחֲלָת֥וֹ נַחֲלָתְךָ֤ נַחֲלָתְךָ֥ נַחֲלָתִ֑י נַחֲלָתִ֔י נַחֲלָתִ֖י נַחֲלָתִֽי׃ נַחֲלָתִי֙ נַחֲלָתֵ֑נוּ נַחֲלָתֵ֔נוּ נַחֲלָתֵ֖נוּ נַחֲלָתֵ֙נוּ֙ נַחֲלָתֶ֑ךָ נַחֲלָתֶֽךָ׃ נַחֲלָתָ֑ם נַחֲלָתָ֔ם נַחֲלָתָ֔ן נַחֲלָתָ֖ם נַחֲלָתָ֗ם נַחֲלָתָֽם׃ נַחֲלָתָֽן׃ נַחֲלָתָם֙ נַחֲלָתָן֙ נַחֲלָתֽוֹ׃ נַחֲלָתוֹ֙ נחלה נחלה־ נחלה׃ נחלות נחלת נחלתו נחלתו׃ נחלתי נחלתי׃ נחלתך נחלתך׃ נחלתכם׃ נחלתם נחלתם׃ נחלתן נחלתן׃ נחלתנו ban·na·ḥă·lāh bannachaLah bannaḥălāh bə·na·ḥă·lā·ṯām bə·na·ḥă·lā·ṯe·ḵā bə·na·ḥă·lā·ṯə·ḵā bə·na·ḥă·lā·ṯōw bə·na·ḥă·lāh ḇə·na·ḥă·lāh bə·na·ḥă·laṯ bə·na·ḥă·laṯ·ḵem benachaLah benachaLat benachalaTam benachalatChem benachalateCha beNachalaTo bənaḥălāh ḇənaḥălāh bənaḥălaṯ bənaḥălāṯām bənaḥălāṯeḵā bənaḥălāṯəḵā bənaḥălaṯḵem bənaḥălāṯōw han·na·ḥă·lāh han·nə·ḥā·lōṯ hannachaLah hannaḥălāh hannechaLot hannəḥālōṯ lə·na·ḥă·lā·ṯōw lə·na·ḥă·lāh lə·naḥ·laṯ lenachaLah lenachalaTo lenachLat lənaḥălāh lənaḥălāṯōw lənaḥlaṯ min·na·ḥă·lā·ṯām min·na·ḥă·lā·ṯə·ḵā min·na·ḥă·lā·ṯōw min·na·ḥă·lāh min·na·ḥă·laṯ minnachaLah minnachaLat minnachalaTam minnachalateCha minnachalaTo minnaḥălāh minnaḥălaṯ minnaḥălāṯām minnaḥălāṯəḵā minnaḥălāṯōw na·ḥă·lā·ṯām na·ḥă·lā·ṯān na·ḥă·lā·ṯe·ḵā na·ḥă·lā·ṯə·ḵā na·ḥă·lā·ṯê·nū na·ḥă·lā·ṯî na·ḥă·lā·ṯōw na·ḥă·lāh na·ḥă·lāh- na·ḥă·laṯ na·ḥă·lāṯ na·ḥă·laṯ·ḵem nachaLah nachaLat nachalaTam nachalaTan nachalatChem nachalateCha nachalaTenu nachalaTi nachalaTo naḥălāh naḥălāh- naḥălaṯ naḥălāṯ naḥălāṯām naḥălāṯān naḥălāṯeḵā naḥălāṯəḵā naḥălāṯênū naḥălāṯî naḥălaṯḵem naḥălāṯōw nə·ḥā·lō·wṯ nechaLot nəḥālōwṯ ū·ḇə·na·ḥă·lā·ṯōw ū·min·na·ḥă·laṯ ūḇənaḥălāṯōw uminnachaLat ūminnaḥălaṯ uvenachalaTo vaiyinchaLu venachaLah venachaLat venachalaTam venachaLatecha venachalaTi venachalaTo way·yin·ḥă·lū wayyinḥălū wə·na·ḥă·lā·ṯām wə·na·ḥă·lā·ṯe·ḵā wə·na·ḥă·lā·ṯə·ḵā wə·na·ḥă·lā·ṯî wə·na·ḥă·lā·ṯōw wə·na·ḥă·lāh wə·na·ḥă·laṯ wənaḥălāh wənaḥălaṯ wənaḥălāṯām wənaḥălāṯeḵā wənaḥălāṯəḵā wənaḥălāṯî wənaḥălāṯōw
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