Dictionary of Bible Themes: 5704 inheritance, material

5704 inheritance, material

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5650 Human relationships » 5703 inheritance » 5704 inheritance, material

Family property was normally handed down in biblical times through sons, with a special place for the firstborn. The land of Israel was regarded as the nation's inheritance.

Inheritance of family property

It was normally handed down through sons

Genesis 15:3-4 See also Genesis 25:5; Jeremiah 49:1; Ezekiel 46:16-17; Matthew 21:38 pp Mark 12:7 pp Luke 20:14; Galatians 4:30; Genesis 21:10

The absence of a son as a male heir was seen as a serious disadvantage

Genesis 25:21; Deuteronomy 25:5-6; Judges 21:17; 1 Samuel 1:10-11; 2 Samuel 14:4-7

Other relatives could inherit

Numbers 27:8-11 See also Numbers 27:1-7; Numbers 36:2-4; Ruth 4:1-4; Job 42:15

Servants could inherit

Genesis 15:2-3

Inheritance before death

Luke 15:11-12 The son's asking for his inheritance is perhaps to be seen as an insult.

The rights of the firstborn

Deuteronomy 21:15-17 See also Genesis 27:19,32; 2 Chronicles 21:3

Stewardship of one's own inheritance

It must be preserved

1 Kings 21:2-3 See also Proverbs 13:22

It must not be squandered

Hebrews 12:16 See also Genesis 25:29-34; Luke 15:13

It must not be fought over

Luke 12:13-15

Respect for the inheritance of others

Micah 2:2-3 See also Ezekiel 46:18

The land as Israel's inheritance

It was promised to Abraham

Genesis 12:6-7 See also Genesis 13:14-15; Genesis 15:7,18-21; Genesis 17:8; Acts 7:3-5; Hebrews 11:8

It was confirmed to Moses and the patriarchs

Exodus 6:2-4,8

Entry was denied because of sin

Numbers 14:22-23; Deuteronomy 4:21

It was entered by faith

Hebrews 11:8-9,30

It was conquered by Joshua

Joshua 1:1-4; Joshua 11:23

It was allotted to the tribes

Joshua 14:1-5

It was a land for the godly

Psalm 37:9,11,22,29,34

It was a good inheritance

The LORD's inheritance in the land

Exodus 15:17; Joshua 22:19; Zechariah 2:12

The inheritance was lost through sin

Jeremiah 17:4 See also Psalm 79:1; Lamentations 5:2

God's judgment on the nations

Jeremiah 12:14-17

The land was regained through grace

Ezra 1:1-2; Jeremiah 29:10-11

God renewed his promises

Psalm 69:34-36 The Jews did return to the land; some look, however, for a further fulfilment of these promises in the future; others see them as fulfilled in Jesus Christ. See also Isaiah 57:13; Isaiah 58:13-14; Isaiah 61:7; Isaiah 65:9; Zechariah 8:12