Dictionary of Bible Themes: 5701 heir

5701 heir

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5650 Human relationships » 5701 heir

Property and power in biblical times normally descended from father to son. Jesus Christ is therefore called God's heir, and believers are said to inherit in him.

The heir in ancient Israel

The heir of property

Genesis 15:3-4 See also Proverbs 13:22; Proverbs 19:14

The heir of power

1 Kings 2:12 pp 1 Chronicles 29:28 See also 1 Kings 11:43; Kings 14:31; Kings 15:3

Lack of an heir regarded as a very serious matter

Deuteronomy 25:5-6; Judges 21:17; 2 Samuel 14:4-7 The woman of Tekoa was interceding indirectly for Absalom, David's heir, who had been banished.

Daughters and other relatives could be heirs if there were no sons

Numbers 27:1-11

Property could be inherited before death

Luke 15:11-12 The prodigal son's request of inheritance before death could perhaps be regarded as an insult, but graciously the father complied out of love.

An heir must not give up his inheritance

Hebrews 12:16 See also Genesis 25:29-34; Numbers 36:6-7; 1 Kings 21:3; Jeremiah 49:1

The firstborn son was heir to a double share

Deuteronomy 21:17

Jesus Christ as the heir of God

Hebrews 1:2 See also Matthew 28:18; Luke 19:12; John 3:35

Jesus Christ is heir as the Father's firstborn

Hebrews 1:6

Envy of Jesus Christ as heir

Matthew 21:37-39 pp Mark 12:6-8 pp Luke 20:13-15

God's people as heirs

God himself as his people's inheritance