Bible Dictionary: Heir

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Smith's Bible Dictionary

Heir

The Hebrew institutions relative to inheritance were of a very simple character. Under the patriarchal system the property was divided among the sons of the legitimate wives, (Genesis 21:10; 24:36; 25:5) a larger portion being assigned to one, generally the eldest, on whom devolved the duty of maintaining the females of the family. The sons of concubines were portioned off with presents. (Genesis 25:6) At a later period the exclusion of the sons of concubines was rigidly enforced. (Judges 11:1) ff. Daughters had no share in the patrimony, (Genesis 21:14) but received a marriage portion. The Mosaic law regulated the succession to real property thus: it has to be divided among the sons, the eldest receiving a double portion, (21:17) the others equal shares; if there were no sons, it went to the daughters, (Numbers 27:8) on the condition that they did not marry out of their own tribe, (Numbers 36:6) ff.; otherwise the patrimony was forfeited. If there were no daughters it went to the brother of the deceased; if no brother, to the paternal uncle; and, failing these to the next of kin. (Numbers 27:9-11)

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Under the patriarchs the property of a father was divided among the sons of his legitimate wives (Genesis 21:10; 24:36; 25:5), the eldest son getting a larger portion than the rest. The Mosaic law made specific regulations regarding the transmission of real property, which are given in detail in Deuteronomy 21:17; Numbers 27:8; 36:6; 27:9-11. Succession to property was a matter of right and not of favour. Christ is the "heir of all things" (Hebrews 1:2; Colossians 1:15). Believers are heirs of the "promise," "of righteousness," "of the kingdom," "of the world," "of God," "joint heirs" with Christ (Galatians 3:29; Hebrews 6:17; 11:7; James 2:5; Romans 4:13; 8:17).

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (n.) One who inherits, 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 property of another at the death of the latter.

2. (n.) One who receives any endowment from an ancestor or relation; as, the heir of one's reputation or virtues.

3. (v. t.) To inherit; to succeed to.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

HEIR

ar:

1. The Word "Heir":

In the New Testament "heir" is the invariable translation of kleronomos (15 times), the technical equivalent in Greek, and of the compound sunkleronomos, "co-heir," in Romans 8:17 Ephesians 3:6 Hebrews 11:9 1 Peter 3:7 (in Galatians 4:30 Hebrews 1:14, contrast the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American)). In the Old Testament "heir" and "to be heir" both represent some form of the common verb yarash, "possess," and the particular rendition of the verb as "to be heir" is given only by the context (compare e.g. the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) in Jeremiah 49:2 Micah 1:15). Exactly the same is true of the words translated "inherit," "inheritance," which in by far the great majority of cases would have been represented better by "possess," "possession" (see INHERITANCE and OHL on.). Consequently, when God is said, for instance, to have given Palestine to Israel as an `inheritance' (Leviticus 20:24, etc.), nothing more need be meant than `given as a possession.' The Septuagint, however, for the sake of variety in its rendition of Hebrew words, used kleronomeo in many such cases (especially Genesis 15:7, 8; Genesis 22:17), and thereby fixed on `heir' the sense of `recipient of a gift from God.' And so the word passed in this sense into New Testament Greek- Romans 4:13, 14 Galatians 3:29 Titus 3:7 Hebrews 6:17; Hebrews 11:7 James 2:5; compare Ephesians 3:6 Hebrews 11:9 1 Peter 3:7. On the other hand, the literal meaning of the word is found in Mark 12:7 (and parallels and Galatians 4:1 Romans 8:17 Galatians 4:7, the literal and transferred meanings are blended. This blending has produced the phrase "heirs of God," which, literally, is meaningless and which doubtless was formed without much deliberation, although it is perfectly clear. A similar blending has applied "heir" to Christ in Hebrews 1:2 (compare Romans 8:17 and perhaps Mark 12:7) as the recipient of all things in their totality. But apart from these "blended" passages, it would be a mistake to think that sonship is always consciously thought of where "heir" is mentioned, and hence, too much theological implication should not be assigned the latter word.

2. Heir in Old Testament Law:

The heirs of property in the Old Testament were normally the sons and, chief among these, the firstborn.

(1) Deuteronomy 21:15-17 provides that the firstborn shall inherit a "double portion," whence it would appear that all the other sons shared equally. (It should be noted that in this law the firstborn is the eldest son of the father, not of the mother as in Exodus 13:2.) Uncertain, however, is what Deuteronomy 21:15-17 means by "wife," and the practice must have varied. In Genesis 21:10 the son of the handmaid was not to be heir with Isaac, but in Genesis 30:1-13 the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah are reckoned as legitimate children of Jacob. See MARRIAGE. Nor is it clear that Deuteronomy 21:15-17 forbids setting aside the eldest son because of his own sin-compare the case of Reuben (Genesis 49:3, 1 1 Chronicles 5:1), although the son of a regular wife (Genesis 29:32). The very existence of Deuteronomy 21:15-17, moreover, shows that in spite of the absence of formal wills, a man could control to some extent the disposition of his property after his death and that the right of the firstborn could be set aside by the father (1 Chronicles 26:10). That the royal dignity went by primogeniture is asserted only (in a particular case) in 2 Chronicles 21:3, and both David (1 Kings 1:11-13) and Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 11:21-23) chose younger sons as their successors. A single payment in the father's lifetime could be given in lieu of heritage (Genesis 25:6 Luke 15:12), and it was possible for two brothers to make a bargain as to the disposition of the property after the father's death (Genesis 25:31-34).

(2) When there were sons alive, the daughters had no right of inheritance, and married daughters had no such right in any case. (Job 42:15 describes an altogether exceptional procedure.) Probably unmarried daughters passed under the charge of the firstborn, as the new head of the family, and he took the responsibility of finding them husbands. Numbers 27:1-11; Numbers 36:1-12 treat of the case where there were no sons-the daughters inherited the estate, but they could marry only within the tribe, lest the tribal possessions be confused. This right of the daughters, however, is definitely stated to be a new thing, and in earlier times the property probably passed to the nearest male relatives, to whom it went in later times if there were no daughters. In extreme cases, where no other heirs could be found, the property went to the slaves (Genesis 15:3 Proverbs 30:23, noting that the meaning of the latter verse is uncertain), but this could have happened only at the rarest intervals. A curious instance is that of 1 Chronicles 2:34, 35, where property is preserved in the family by marrying the daughter to an Egyptian slave belonging to the father; perhaps some adoption-idea underlies this.

(3) The wife had no claim on the inheritance, though the disposition made of her dowry is not explained, and it may have been returned to her. If she was childless she resorted to the Levirate marriage (Deuteronomy 25:5-10). If this was impracticable or was without issue she returned to her own family and might marry another husband (Genesis 38:11 Leviticus 22:13 Ruth 1:8). The inferior wives (concubines) were part of the estate and went to the heir; indeed, possession of the father's concubines was proof of possession of his dignities (2 Samuel 16:21, 22 1 Kings 2:13-25). At least, such was the custom in the time of David and Solomon, but at a later period nothing is heard of the practice.

(4) The disposition of land is a very obscure question. Numbers 36:4 states explicitly that each heir had a share, but the continual splittin up of an estate through successive generations would have produced an impossible state of affairs. Possibly the land went to the eldest born as part of his portion, possibly in some cases it was held in common by the members of the family, possibly some member bought the shares of the others, possibly the practice differed at different times. But our ignorance of the facts is complete.

NOTE.-The dates assigned by different scholars to the passages cited have an important bearing on the discussion.

Burton Scott Easton

Greek

2818. kleronomos -- an heir
... an heir. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: kleronomos Phonetic Spelling:
(klay-ron-om'-os) Short Definition: an heir, inheritor Definition: an ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2818.htm - 7k

4789. sugkleronomos -- a co-inheritor
... Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: sugkleronomos Phonetic Spelling:
(soong-klay-ron-om'-os) Short Definition: a joint heir, participant Definition: ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4789.htm - 7k

2816. kleronomeo -- to inherit
... inheritance.]. Word Origin from kleronomos Definition to inherit NASB Word
Usage heir (1), inherit (16), inherited (1). to inherit. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2816.htm - 8k

2658. katantao -- to come down to, reach
... sea-coast), or from the high seas to the coast; hence met: I arrive at, reach (my
destination), (b) of property: I come down (descend) by inheritance to an heir ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2658.htm - 7k

2817. kleronomia -- an inheritance
... Cognate: 2817 (a feminine noun derived from 2818 , "an heir, apportioned inheritance
by the casting of lots") -- , awarded by , ie the portion () (cf. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2817.htm - 7k

2819. kleros -- a lot
... [2818 ("heir") is derived from 2819 ("lot, the casting of lots"), not the other
way around -- ie the term "" is not derived from 2818 (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2819.htm - 8k

Strong's Hebrew

4943. mesheq -- acquisition, possession
... 4942, 4943. mesheq. 4944 . acquisition, possession. Transliteration: mesheq
Phonetic Spelling: (meh'-shek) Short Definition: heir. ...
/hebrew/4943.htm - 5k

3446. Yischaq -- Isaac
... Word Origin the same as Yitschaq, qv. Isaac From Shachatsowm; he will laugh; Jischak,
the heir of Abraham -- Isaac. Compare Yitschaq. see HEBREW Shachatsowm. ...
/hebrew/3446.htm - 6k

3423. yarash -- to take possession of, inherit, dispossess
... 22), drive them out completely (2), driven (6), driving (3), drove (4), expel (1),
given us as an inheritance (1), gives you to possess (1), heir (6), heirs (1 ...
/hebrew/3423.htm - 7k

4497. manon -- perhaps thankless one
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition perhaps thankless one NASB Word Usage
son (1). son. From nuwn; a continuator, ie Heir -- son. see HEBREW nuwn. ...
/hebrew/4497.htm - 6k

1121. ben -- son
... foal (1), fools* (1), foreigner* (6), foreigners (1), foreigners* (10), Gileadites*
(1), grandchildren (1), granddaughters* (1), grandson (6), heir* (1), high ...
/hebrew/1121.htm - 8k

1248. bar -- son
... Word Origin from bar Definition son NASB Word Usage son (4). son. Borrowed (as a
title) from bar; the heir (apparent to the throne) -- son. see HEBREW bar. ...
/hebrew/1248.htm - 6k

Library

The Heir Intervenes
... CHAPTER XXVII THE HEIR INTERVENES. At Tanis, the next day after the arrival
of Meneptah, there came a messenger from Thebes to Hotep ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxvii the heir intervenes.htm

The Heir to the Throne
... CHAPTER V THE HEIR TO THE THRONE. Loi was not present at the sunset prayers
in Karnak. An hour before he had summoned the trustiest ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter v the heir to.htm

The Church is Declared Heir of those who Leave no Kindred; and the ...
... Book II. Chapter XXXVI."The Church is declared Heir of those who leave
no Kindred; and the Free Gifts of such Persons Confirmed. ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xxxvi the church is declared.htm

And when all were in Such Joy, came Satan the Heir of Darkness...
... Part II."The Descent of Christ into Hell. Greek Form. Chapter 4 (20). And
when all were in such joy, came Satan the heir of darkness� ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 4 20 and when.htm

Examination of this Point. The Phrase "Old Testament" Used in Two ...
... The Phrase "Old Testament" Used in Two Senses. The Heir of the Old Testament.
In the Old Testament There Were Heirs of the New Testament. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 14 examination of this point.htm

And Hades Receiving Satan, Said to Him: Beelzebul, Heir of Fire ...
... Part II."The Descent of Christ into Hell. Greek Form. Chapter 7 (23). And Hades
receiving Satan, said to him: Beelzebul, heir of fire and punishment� ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 7 23 and hades.htm

When Hyrcanus who was Alexander's Heir, Receded from his Claim to ...
... CHAPTER 6. When Hyrcanus Who Was Alexander's Heir, Receded From His Claim To The
Crown Aristobulus Is Made King; And Afterward The Same Hyrcanus By The Means ...
/.../chapter 6 when hyrcanus who.htm

The First Touches on the Canvas.
... At the close, when the tether of life is slipping its hold, this vision of the coming
greater Heir promised by God evidently fills his eye. He says: ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks about jesus/the first touches on the.htm

The Revelation in a Son.
... the fathers in the prophets by divers portions and in divers manners, hath at the
end of these days spoken unto us in His Son, Whom He appointed Heir of all ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter i the revelation in.htm

Hebrews i. 1, 2
... manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the Prophets, hath at the end of
the days [2720] spoken unto us by His Son whom He hath appointed heir of all ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily i hebrews i 1.htm

Thesaurus

Inheritance (263 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) That which is or may be inherited; that which is derived by an heir from
an ancestor or other person; a heritage; a possession which passes by descent. ...
/i/inheritance.htm - 45k

Heir (20 Occurrences)
... Succession to property was a matter of right and not of favour. Christ is the
"heir of all things" (Hebrews 1:2; Colossians 1:15). ...HEIR. ...
/h/heir.htm - 23k

Vine-growers (13 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:38 and the husbandmen having seen the son, said among themselves, This
is the heir, come, we may kill him, and may possess his inheritance; (See NAS ...
/v/vine-growers.htm - 9k

Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:38 "But the vine-dressers, when they saw the son, said to one another,
"'Here is the heir: come, let us kill him and get his inheritance.' (WEY). ...
/v/vine-dressers.htm - 11k

Let's (74 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:38 But the farmers, when they saw the son, said among themselves,'This
is the heir. Come, let's kill him, and seize his inheritance.' (WEB NIV). ...
/l/let's.htm - 27k

Farmers (23 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Matthew 21:38 But the farmers, when they saw the son, said among
themselves,'This is the heir. Come, let's kill him, and seize his inheritance.' ( ...
/f/farmers.htm - 12k

Tenants (18 Occurrences)
... same way. (See NIV). Matthew 21:38 But the farmers, when they saw the son,
said among themselves,'This is the heir. Come, let's kill ...
/t/tenants.htm - 10k

Birthright (10 Occurrences)
... (n.) Any right, privilege, or possession to which a person is entitled by birth,
such as an estate descendible by law to an heir, or civil liberty under a free ...
/b/birthright.htm - 15k

Slavery (31 Occurrences)
... and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir" (Genesis 15:2 f). This passage has been
mistakenly supposed to indicate that a master without children might give ...
/s/slavery.htm - 36k

Kill (310 Occurrences)
... DBY YLT RSV). Matthew 21:38 But the farmers, when they saw the son, said
among themselves,'This is the heir. Come, let's kill him ...
/k/kill.htm - 36k

Bible Concordance

Heir (20 Occurrences)

Matthew 21:38 But the farmers, when they saw the son, said among themselves,'This is the heir. Come, let's kill him, and seize his inheritance.'
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Mark 12:7 But those farmers said among themselves,'This is the heir. Come, let's kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.'
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 20:14 "But when the farmers saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying,'This is the heir. Come, let's kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.'
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Romans 4:13 For the promise to Abraham and to his seed that he should be heir of the world wasn't through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Galatians 4:1 But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a bondservant, though he is lord of all;
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Galatians 4:7 So you are no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Galatians 4:30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.
(KJV WBS YLT NAS)

Hebrews 1:2 has at the end of these days spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Hebrews 11:7 By faith, Noah, being warned about things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared a ship for the saving of his house, through which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 15:2 Abram said, "Lord Yahweh, what will you give me, seeing I go childless, and he who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?"
(See NAS RSV)

Genesis 15:3 Abram said, "Behold, to me you have given no seed: and, behold, one born in my house is my heir."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 15:4 Behold, the word of Yahweh came to him, saying, "This man will not be your heir, but he who will come forth out of your own body will be your heir."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 21:10 Therefore she said to Abraham, "Cast out this handmaid and her son! For the son of this handmaid will not be heir with my son, Isaac."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS NAS RSV)

2 Samuel 14:7 Behold, the whole family has risen against your handmaid, and they say,'Deliver him who struck his brother, that we may kill him for the life of his brother whom he killed, and so destroy the heir also.' Thus they would quench my coal which is left, and would leave to my husband neither name nor remainder on the surface of the earth."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 105:44 He gave them the lands of the nations. They took the labor of the peoples in possession,
(See NIV)

Proverbs 29:21 If a servant is gently cared for from his early years, he will become a cause of sorrow in the end.
(See RSV)

Proverbs 30:23 for an unloved woman when she is married; and a handmaid who is heir to her mistress.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS)

Isaiah 65:9 And I will take a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah one who will have my mountains for a heritage: and the people I have taken to be mine will have it for themselves, and my servants will have their resting-place there.
(Root in BBE NAS)

Jeremiah 49:1 Of the children of Ammon. Thus says Yahweh: Has Israel no sons? has he no heir? why then does Malcam possess Gad, and his people well in its cities?
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Micah 1:15 Yet will I bring an heir unto thee, O inhabitant of Mareshah: he shall come unto Adullam the glory of Israel.
(KJV DBY WBS)

Subtopics

Heir

Heir: Figurative

Heir: General Scriptures Concerning

Related Terms

Heir (20 Occurrences)

Vine-growers (13 Occurrences)

Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences)

Let's (74 Occurrences)

Farmers (23 Occurrences)

Tenants (18 Occurrences)