The term "appertains" refers to something that belongs or is connected to a particular person, thing, or concept. In the context of the Bible, it often describes the relationship between certain duties, rights, or possessions and the individuals or groups to whom they belong. This concept is significant in understanding the distribution of responsibilities and blessings as ordained by God.

Biblical Usage and Context

1. Priestly Duties and Offerings: In the Old Testament, the concept of appertaining is frequently associated with the duties and privileges of the Levitical priesthood. The priests, being set apart for service to God, had specific responsibilities and entitlements that appertained to their office. For example, certain portions of the sacrifices were designated for the priests as their rightful share. Numbers 18:8 (BSB) states, "Then the LORD said to Aaron, 'Behold, I have given you charge of the contributions made to Me. All the holy offerings of the Israelites I have given to you and your sons as a portion and a permanent statute.'"

2. Inheritance and Land: The concept also extends to the inheritance of land and property among the tribes of Israel. Each tribe received a portion of the Promised Land that appertained to them by divine allotment. This distribution was not merely a matter of human decision but was seen as a fulfillment of God's promise to the patriarchs. Joshua 13:33 (BSB) notes, "But to the tribe of Levi, Moses gave no inheritance; the LORD, the God of Israel, is their inheritance, as He had promised them."

3. Covenantal Relationships: Appertaining can also describe the relationship between God and His people, particularly in the context of covenants. The blessings and responsibilities of the covenant appertain to those who are part of it. Deuteronomy 29:14-15 (BSB) illustrates this: "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."

4. Moral and Ethical Obligations: The term can further be applied to moral and ethical obligations that appertain to individuals as followers of God's law. The commandments and statutes given by God are not arbitrary but are intimately connected to the identity and calling of His people. As seen in Micah 6:8 (BSB), "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Theological Implications

The concept of appertaining underscores the order and structure within God's creation and His covenant community. It highlights the importance of recognizing and respecting the roles, responsibilities, and blessings that God has assigned. This understanding fosters a sense of stewardship and accountability among believers, as they acknowledge that their lives and possessions ultimately belong to God and are to be used in accordance with His will.

Whether Mercy Can be Attributed to God?
... mercy in Him. Objection 2: Further, mercy is a relaxation of justice. But
God cannot remit what appertains to His justice. For it is ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether mercy can be attributed.htm

Whether Sin Has an Internal Cause?
... the rule of reason or the Divine law, this motive which is an apparent good, appertains
to the apprehension of the senses and to the appetite; while the lack ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether sin has an internal.htm

But You Will Perhaps Seek to Know the Cause of this Error of ...
... Of all existing things there is a twofold manner of apprehension, the consideration
of them being divided between what appertains to intellect and what ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/chapter vi but you will.htm

Whether God Wills Evils?
... disposed, commends the good more evidently in that good is more pleasing and
praiseworthy when contrasted with evil." But God wills all that appertains to the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether god wills evils.htm

Frugality a Good Provision for the Christian.
... For it appertains to him to ask and to receive whatever he requires from the Father
of all; and to enjoy what is his own, if he keep the Son. ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter vii frugality a good provision.htm

The Revision of the Dutch Confession, and the Heidelberg Catechism
... contain whatever is necessary to be believed unto salvation, so that salvation is,
according to this rule, not denied to those things to which it appertains. ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/x the revision of the.htm

Letter xxviii. To Flavian Commonly Called "The Tome. "
... For each form does what is proper to it with the co-operation of the other [278] ;
that is the Word performing what appertains to the Word, and the flesh ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/letter xxviii to flavian commonly.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Mark viii. 34, "If any Man Would Come ...
... not in them. But themselves, all that appertains to their nature He made;
what appertains to guiltiness, He made not. This is that ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xlvi on the words.htm

On the Nature of God
... Nay, even motion cannot happen to Him through operation; for it appertains to God,
and to Him alone, to be at rest in operation. (Romans 1:23; Isaiah 40:28.). ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 4 on the nature.htm

1 Cor. I. 4, 5
... And this thou wilt say, because thou hast obtained what appertains to
knowledge. So also hadst thou performed what appertains to ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily ii 1 cor i.htm

Appertains (2 Occurrences)
...Appertains (2 Occurrences). ... For it appertains to you; because among all the wise
men of the nations, and in all their royal estate, there is none like you. ...
/a/appertains.htm - 7k

Appetite (22 Occurrences)

/a/appetite.htm - 15k

Residence (7 Occurrences)
... 2:8 and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber
to make beams for the gates of the castle which appertains to the house ...
/r/residence.htm - 8k

Requests (29 Occurrences)
... 2:8 and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber
to make beams for the gates of the castle which appertains to the house ...
/r/requests.htm - 15k

Castle (26 Occurrences)
... 2:8 and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber
to make beams for the gates of the castle which appertains to the house ...
/c/castle.htm - 15k

Appertain (2 Occurrences)
... For it appertains to you; because among all the wise men of the nations, and in
all their royal estate, there is none like you. (Root in WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS). ...
/a/appertain.htm - 7k

Appertaineth (3 Occurrences)

/a/appertaineth.htm - 7k

Have (53575 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To hold in possession or control; to own; as, he has a farm. 4. (vt) To
possess, as something which appertains to, is connected with, or affects, one. ...
/h/have.htm - 10k

Beams (28 Occurrences)
... 2:8 and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber
to make beams for the gates of the castle which appertains to the house ...
/b/beams.htm - 14k

Occupy (25 Occurrences)
... 2:8 and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber
to make beams for the gates of the castle which appertains to the house ...
/o/occupy.htm - 16k

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