Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of inheritance in the Bible is deeply rooted in the cultural, legal, and spiritual practices of ancient Israel and carries significant theological implications. Inheritance is not only a transfer of property or wealth but also a means of preserving family lineage and covenantal promises.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, inheritance primarily refers to the distribution of land and property among the Israelites. The land of Canaan, promised to Abraham and his descendants, is a central theme.
Genesis 15:18 records God's covenant with Abraham: "To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great River Euphrates." This promise is foundational, as the land is seen as a divine gift and a sign of God's faithfulness.
The laws of inheritance are detailed in the Mosaic Law, particularly in the book of Numbers.
Numbers 27:8-11 outlines the order of inheritance, emphasizing the importance of maintaining family property within the tribe. Daughters could inherit if there were no sons, ensuring the preservation of the family name and property (
Numbers 27:7).
The concept of the kinsman-redeemer, as seen in the book of Ruth, further illustrates the importance of inheritance. Boaz acts as a redeemer to preserve the family line of Elimelech, demonstrating the social and familial responsibilities tied to inheritance.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the concept of inheritance takes on a spiritual dimension. Believers are described as heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.
Romans 8:17 states, "And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him." This inheritance is not material but spiritual, encompassing eternal life and the kingdom of God.
The apostle Paul frequently uses the language of inheritance to describe the blessings and promises available to believers through faith in Christ.
Ephesians 1:11-14 speaks of believers being "predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will," and receiving the Holy Spirit as a "deposit guaranteeing our inheritance."
Theological ImplicationsTheologically, inheritance in the Bible underscores God's sovereignty and faithfulness. The land promised to Israel and the spiritual inheritance promised to believers both reflect God's unchanging nature and His commitment to His covenant people. The inheritance is both a present reality and a future hope, encouraging believers to live in light of their eternal destiny.
Inheritance also highlights the communal and familial aspects of faith. Just as the Israelites were to maintain their tribal inheritances, believers are called to live as part of the body of Christ, sharing in the spiritual blessings and responsibilities of God's family.
Key Biblical References·
Genesis 15:18·
Numbers 27:7-11·
Ruth 4:9-10·
Romans 8:17·
Ephesians 1:11-14·
Hebrews 9:15The biblical concept of inheritance, therefore, is multifaceted, encompassing legal, familial, and spiritual dimensions, and serves as a profound metaphor for the believer's relationship with God and the promises of the gospel.
Greek
2818. kleronomos -- an heir... inheritor. 2818 (a masculine noun derived from 2819 , "lot" and , "to
distribute, allot") -- an ; someone who
inherits. [In ancient
...Strong's Hebrew
5157. nachal -- to get or take as a possession... 1), give as a possession (1), give...possession (1), have (2), have an inheritance
(2), inherit (16), inheritance (8), inherited (3),
inherits (1), leaves an
...Library
Showing How that Passage of the Apostle which the Heretics Pervert...
... of God. For a living personinherits the goods of the deceased; and it is
one thing to inherit, another to be inherited. The former...
Cambyses.
... generosity. His son, however, whoinherits his father's power, seldominherits
the virtues by which the power was acquired. These...
The Symbols of the Republic.
... But, if a nation reallyinherits the description in the text, it must possess
something more than an illustrious history and an ideal glory....
Essay i. Fortuna Plerumque Est Veluti Galaxia Quarundam Obscurarum...
... words, fortune and fools. How seldom, friend, a good great maninherits Honour
or wealth with all his worth and pains! It sounds like...
Preface.
... from Bishop Wordsworth at his lodgings,""I see the learned son of a learned Father,
sir!""Let me be permitted to add that my friendinherits the Bishop's...
Fragment V.
... was not far separated from the apostles either in age or excellence, says that that
which is mortal is inherited, but that which is immortalinherits; and that...
Preface.
... from Bishop Wordsworth at his lodgings,""I see the learned son of a learned Father,
sir!""Let me be permitted to add that my friendinherits the Bishop's...
Home-Example.
... The power and influence of the home-example are incalculable. Example is teaching
by action. By it the childinherits the spirit and character of the parent....
Twenty-First Lesson. If Ye Abide in Me;'
... up to the measure of his light; it is he who reaches onward to the full abiding
in the sense in which the Master understood the words, whoinherits all the...
The Never Changing One.
... He is the appointed heir of all things, on the right hand of the majesty on high,
taking a place so much better than the angels, as Heinherits a name more...
Thesaurus
Inherits (5 Occurrences)...Inherits (5 Occurrences). Hebrews 1:4 taking a place by so much better than the
angels, as he
inherits a name more excellent than they. (DBY).
...Inherit (98 Occurrences)
... or other person to whose estate one succeeds; to receive as a right or title
descendible by law from an ancestor at his decease; as, the heirinherits the land...
Larger (23 Occurrences)
... children of Israel, from the many you shall take many; and from the few you shall
take few: everyone according to his inheritance which heinherits shall give...
Inheritor (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One whoinherits; an heir. Multi-Version
Concordance Inheritor (1 Occurrence). Isaiah 65:9 I will...
Inhuman (1 Occurrence)
Inheritors (2 Occurrences)
Repentance (28 Occurrences)
... The English word "repent" is derived from the Latin repoenitere, andinherits the
fault of the Latin, making grief the principal idea and keeping it in the...
Less (93 Occurrences)
... children of Israel, from the many you shall take many; and from the few you shall
take few: everyone according to his inheritance which heinherits shall give...
Possess (193 Occurrences)
... children of Israel, from the many you shall take many; and from the few you shall
take few: everyone according to his inheritance which heinherits shall give...
Heir (20 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) One whoinherits, or is entitled to succeed to the possession of, any property
after the death of its owner; one on whom the law bestows the title or...
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