The term "appertain" is used in the context of belonging or being connected to something, often indicating a rightful or appropriate association. In the Bible, this concept is frequently related to the laws, duties, and inheritances that are designated by God for His people. The idea of appertaining underscores the order and structure established by divine command, reflecting God's sovereignty and the covenantal relationships He establishes with His people.

Biblical Usage and Context

1. Priestly Duties and Offerings: In the Old Testament, the duties and privileges of the Levitical priesthood are often described in terms of what appertains to them. Numbers 18:7 states, "But only you and your sons may perform the priestly duties and everything appertaining to the altar and inside the veil." This highlights the specific responsibilities and sacred tasks that are uniquely assigned to the priests, emphasizing their exclusive role in the worship and sacrificial system of Israel.

2. Inheritance and Land: The concept of appertaining is also significant in the context of inheritance and land distribution among the tribes of Israel. Each tribe received a portion of land that appertained to them by divine allotment. This is seen in passages like Joshua 17:4 , where the daughters of Zelophehad appeal for an inheritance that appertains to their father's family, underscoring the importance of rightful inheritance according to God's commands.

3. Covenantal Relationships: The idea of appertaining extends to the covenantal relationship between God and His people. In Deuteronomy 29:14-15 , Moses speaks of the covenant that appertains not only to those present but also to future generations: "I am making this covenant and this oath not only with you, but also with those who stand here with us today in the presence of the LORD our God, and with those who are not here today." This illustrates the enduring and binding nature of God's promises and commands, which appertain to all who are part of His covenant community.

4. Moral and Ethical Conduct: The laws and commandments given by God appertain to the moral and ethical conduct expected of His people. In Leviticus 19:2 , God commands, "Speak to the entire congregation of the Israelites and tell them: ‘Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.’" The holiness that appertains to God is to be reflected in the lives of His people, indicating a standard of conduct that is divinely ordained.

Theological Implications

The concept of appertaining in the Bible underscores the orderliness and intentionality of God's design for His creation. It reflects the idea that everything has its rightful place and purpose within God's sovereign plan. This includes the roles and responsibilities of individuals, the distribution of resources, and the moral and spiritual obligations of God's people. The notion of appertaining serves as a reminder of the divine order and the importance of adhering to God's established boundaries and commands.(v. i.) To belong or pertain; to relate, whether by right, nature, appointment, or custom.APPERTAIN

ap-er-tan': Only once in English Versions of the Bible, namely, in Jeremiah 10:7, for ya'ah "it becometh," "it is seemly," Vulgate "Tuum est enim decus," "it is Thy honor." Generally in the sense of "to belong to" (Leviticus 6:5, "to whom it appertaineth"); Nehemiah 2:8, "the castle which appertained to the house" (Tobit 6:12; 1 Esdras 8:95; 1 Maccabees 10:42).

2969. yaah -- to befit, be befitting
... root Definition to befit, be befitting NASB Word Usage due (1). appertain. A primitive
root; to be suitable -- appertain. 2968, 2969. yaah. 2970 . ...
/hebrew/2969.htm - 5k

Sleep, the Mirror of Death, as Introductory to the Consideration ...
... terminate where the soul itself completes it; although Epicurus, indeed, in his
pretty widely known doctrine, has asserted that death does not appertain to us. ...
/.../tertullian/a treatise on the soul/chapter xlii sleep the mirror of.htm

On Predestination to Salvation, and on Damnation Considered in the ...
... are considered in this manner.4. The difference between the vessels to honour and
those to dishonour, that is, of mercy and wrath, does not appertain to the ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 2/on predestination to salvation and.htm

Whether the Justice of God is Truth?
... vi; Ethic. vi, 2,6). Therefore justice does not appertain to truth. Objection ... justice.
Truth therefore does not appertain to the idea of justice. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the justice of god.htm

Whether Priests Alone have the Keys?
... in the things that appertain to God, that he may offer up gifts and sacrifices
for sins" (Heb.5:1). Therefore only priests have the keys. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether priests alone have the.htm

Whether Angels Can Administer Sacraments?
... On the contrary, It is written (Heb.5:1): "Every high priest taken from among men,
is ordained for men in the things that appertain to God." But angels whether ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether angels can administer sacraments.htm

The Epistle to the Romans. St. Paul Cannot Help Using Phrases ...
... "According to my gospel," says (the apostle), "by (Jesus) Christ." [5797] So that
both the gospel and Christ must be His, to whom appertain the law and the ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xiii the epistle to the.htm

Examination of this Point. The Phrase "Old Testament" Used in Two ...
... And these, indeed, are figures of the spiritual blessings which appertain to the
New Testament; but yet the man who lives under God's law with those earthly ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 14 examination of this point.htm

The Second Epistle to the Thessalonians an Absurd Erasure of ...
... spread knowledge. To Him, therefore, does it appertain to punish such
as know not God, for none ought to be ignorant of Him. In ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xvi the second epistle to.htm

On the Roman Pontiff, and the Principal Titles which Are
... body of the church. Therefore, on account of none of them does the title
of "head" appertain to this Pontiff. IV. The Foundation of ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 21 on the roman.htm

The Twenty-Second and Twenty-Third Verses
... God after the inward man? For, they say, both these adjuncts can appertain
to regenerate persons alone. The First agrees with them ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 2/the twenty-second and twenty-third verses.htm

Appertain (2 Occurrences)
... or custom. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. APPERTAIN. ap-er ... 10:42).
Multi-Version Concordance Appertain (2 Occurrences). Numbers 16 ...
/a/appertain.htm - 7k

Appendage (11 Occurrences)

/a/appendage.htm - 9k

Opens (30 Occurrences)
... Numbers 16:30 But if the LORD make a new thing, and the ground open her mouth, and
swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down alive ...
/o/opens.htm - 14k

Totally (27 Occurrences)
... Numbers 16:30 But if Yahweh make a new thing, and the ground open its mouth, and
swallow them up, with all that appertain to them, and they go down alive into ...
/t/totally.htm - 14k

Royalty (7 Occurrences)
... for to thee doth it appertain; forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations,
and in all their royal estate, there is none like unto thee. (See JPS). ...
/r/royalty.htm - 9k

Entirely (39 Occurrences)
... Numbers 16:30 But if Yahweh make a new thing, and the ground open its mouth, and
swallow them up, with all that appertain to them, and they go down alive into ...
/e/entirely.htm - 18k

Provoked (70 Occurrences)
... Numbers 16:30 But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and
swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick ...
/p/provoked.htm - 28k

Pertain (9 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) To belong; to have connection with, or dependence on, something, as an
appurtenance, attribute, etc.; to appertain; as, saltiness pertains to the ocean ...
/p/pertain.htm - 9k

Befitteth (1 Occurrence)
... for to thee doth it appertain; forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations,
and in all their royal estate, there is none like unto thee. (See JPS). ...
/b/befitteth.htm - 6k

Belong (127 Occurrences)
... service. 3. (vi) To be the concern or proper business or function of; to
appertain to. 4. (vi) To be suitable for; to be due to. ...
/b/belong.htm - 35k

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