Definition and Context:
Patrimony refers to the inheritance or heritage passed down from one's ancestors, particularly in the context of familial or tribal possessions. In biblical terms, patrimony often encompasses land, property, and blessings that are transmitted through generations, reflecting God's covenantal promises and the social structures of ancient Israel.

Biblical Significance:
In the Bible, patrimony is closely tied to the concept of inheritance, which is a significant theme throughout the Old and New Testaments. The land of Canaan, promised to Abraham and his descendants, serves as a primary example of divine patrimony. Genesis 17:8 states, "And to you and your descendants I will give the land of your sojourn—all the land of Canaan—as an eternal possession; and I will be their God."

Tribal Inheritance:
The division of the Promised Land among the twelve tribes of Israel is a key aspect of patrimony. Each tribe received a specific portion of land, which was to remain within the tribe as a perpetual inheritance. This is detailed in the Book of Joshua, where the land is apportioned by lot (Joshua 14-19). The importance of maintaining tribal inheritance is underscored by laws such as the Year of Jubilee, where land was to be returned to its original family owners (Leviticus 25:10).

Family Inheritance:
Within families, patrimony was typically passed from father to son, with the firstborn son receiving a double portion as his birthright (Deuteronomy 21:17). This practice ensured the continuity of the family line and the preservation of family wealth and status. The account of Esau and Jacob highlights the significance of the birthright and the blessings associated with it (Genesis 25:29-34; 27:1-40).

Legal and Social Implications:
The preservation of patrimony was crucial in maintaining social order and stability. Laws concerning inheritance were designed to prevent the alienation of family land and to protect the rights of heirs. For example, the daughters of Zelophehad successfully petitioned for the right to inherit their father's land in the absence of male heirs, leading to a legal precedent that ensured the continuation of family inheritance (Numbers 27:1-11).

Spiritual Inheritance:
Beyond physical possessions, the concept of patrimony extends to spiritual inheritance. Believers are described as heirs of God's promises through faith in Christ. Romans 8:17 declares, "And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him." This spiritual patrimony emphasizes the eternal blessings and inheritance that believers receive as part of God's family.

Conclusion:
Patrimony in the biblical context is a multifaceted concept that encompasses land, family heritage, and spiritual blessings. It reflects the continuity of God's promises and the importance of maintaining the divinely ordained order within the community of faith.1. (n.) A right or estate inherited from one's father; or, in a larger sense, from any ancestor.

2. (n.) Formerly, a church estate or endowment.

PATRIMONY

pat'-ri-mo-ni (ha-'abhoth, "the fathers"): A word occurring once in English Versions of the Bible (Deuteronomy 18:8), meaning literally, "the fathers," which, however, is obscure, probably by reason of abbreviation for some phrase, e.g. "house of the fathers." It may indicate "some private source of income possessed by the Levite (who has come up from a country district to the central sanctuary) distinct from what he receives as a priest officiating at the central sanctuary" (Driver, "Deuteronomy," ICC, in the place cited.). Beyond this one occurrence of the word the same idea is conveyed often by other words or phrases: "He divided unto them his living" (Luke 15:13); "Teacher, bid my brother divide the inheritance with me" (Luke 12:13). Full and specific directions were given in the Law for the division of the patrimony (Numbers 27 Deuteronomy 21, etc.) and for its redemption (Ruth 4:1-12). The idea was frequently used with figurative and spiritual application: the land of Canaan was Israel's patrimony, being inherited from Yahweh (Psalm 105:11); salvation because of its origin in grace was the believer's patrimony (Galatians 3:26-4:7). Contrariwise Israel was Yahweh's inheritance (Isaiah 19:25; Isaiah 63:14; compare Psalm 33:12; and the whole earth is the Messiah's patrimony, inherited from His Eternal Father (Psalm 2:8).

See BIRTHRIGHT; FAMILY; INHERITANCE; PROPERTY.

Edward Mack

2817. kleronomia -- an inheritance
... inheritance. From kleronomos; heirship, ie (concretely) a patrimony or (genitive
case) a possession -- inheritance. see GREEK kleronomos. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2817.htm - 7k

2819. kleros -- a lot
... a die (for drawing chances); by implication, a portion (as if so secured); by extension,
an acquisition (especially a patrimony, figuratively) -- heritage ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2819.htm - 8k

5159. nachalah -- possession, property, inheritance
... nachal (in its usual sense); properly, something inherited, ie (abstractly) occupancy,
or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion ...
/hebrew/5159.htm - 6k

3425. yerushshah -- possession, inheritance
... heritage, inheritance, possession. From yarash; something occupied; a conquest;
also a patrimony -- heritage, inheritance, possession. see HEBREW yarash. ...
/hebrew/3425.htm - 6k

1. ab -- father
... A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote
application) -- chief, (fore-)father(-less), X patrimony, principal. ...
/hebrew/1.htm - 6k

The Children's Patrimony.
... CHAPTER XXIV. THE CHILDREN'S PATRIMONY. "Give me enough, saith ... the budding.".
The children's patrimony is a vital subject. It involves ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter xxiv the childrens patrimony.htm

Epistle Lx. To Romanus and Other Guardians (Defensores) of the ...
... To Romanus and other Guardians (defensores) of the Ecclesiastical Patrimony. To
Romanus and other Guardians (defensores) of the Ecclesiastical Patrimony. ...
/.../gregory/the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle lx to romanus and.htm

Epistle xix. To the Husbandmen (Colonos) of the Syracusan ...
... Epistle XIX. To the Husbandmen (Colonos) of the Syracusan Patrimony . To the Husbandmen
(Colonos) of the Syracusan Patrimony [30] . Gregory to the Coloni, &c. ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xix to the husbandmen.htm

Epistle v. To Queen Brunichild.
... the aid of your patronage our most beloved son the presbyter Candidus [1634] , who
is the bearer of these presents, together with the little patrimony for the ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle v to queen brunichild.htm

Here Beginneth the Life of Isaac
... To whom Jacob said: If thou wilt sell to me thy patrimony and heritage
I shall give thee some pottage. And Esau answered, Lo! I ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here beginneth the life of.htm

Epistle Lxxii. To Peter, Subdeacon.
... see to the advantage of Holy Church, remembering that thou hast before the most
sacred body of the blessed apostle Peter received power over his patrimony. ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle lxxii to peter subdeacon.htm

Epistle xviii. To Romanus, Guardian (Defensorem).
... Romanus, to have been a trusty and diligent guardian, we have thought fit to commit
to thy government from this present second indiction the patrimony of the ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xviii to romanus guardian.htm

Whether by Receiving the Tonsure a Man Renounces Temporal Goods?
... ii) that "after a man is made a cleric, he must from thenceforward live on the pay
of the Church." But this would not be so were he to retain his patrimony. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether by receiving the tonsure.htm

Treatise viii. On Works and Alms.
... salvation, ought to purchase the precious pearl"that is, eternal life"at the price
of the blood of Christ, from the amount of his patrimony, parting with ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/treatise viii on works and.htm

Innocent iii
... instituted by divine ordinance, the kingdom came into existence through the importunity
of man." Hence it is not strange that "not only in the Patrimony of the ...
/.../medley/the church and the empire/chapter ix innocent iii.htm

Patrimony (1 Occurrence)
... sense, from any ancestor. 2. (n.) Formerly, a church estate or endowment.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. PATRIMONY. pat'-ri-mo-ni ...
/p/patrimony.htm - 9k

Inheritance (263 Occurrences)
... as inheritance, morashah, "a possession," "heritage" (Deuteronomy 33:4 Ezekiel
33:24); yerushshah, "something occupied," "a patrimony," "possession" (Judges 21 ...
/i/inheritance.htm - 45k

Jubilee (25 Occurrences)
... 5. It would afford a fresh opportunity to those who were reduced by adverse
circumstances to begin again their career of industry in the patrimony which they ...
/j/jubilee.htm - 27k

Equally (21 Occurrences)
... heaven. (BBE). Deuteronomy 18:8 They shall have like portions to eat, besides
that which comes of the sale of his patrimony. (See NIV). ...
/e/equally.htm - 12k

Estates (4 Occurrences)
... guests. (WEY). Deuteronomy 18:8 They shall have like portions to eat, besides
that which comes of the sale of his patrimony. (See NAS). ...
/e/estates.htm - 7k

Domain (5 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) Ownership of land; an estate or patrimony which one has in his own right;
absolute proprietorship; paramount or sovereign ownership. ...
/d/domain.htm - 8k

Portions (49 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 18:8 They shall have like portions to eat, besides that which comes
of the sale of his patrimony. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV). ...
/p/portions.htm - 22k

Patrobas (1 Occurrence)

/p/patrobas.htm - 7k

Benefits (12 Occurrences)
... benefits. (WEY). Deuteronomy 18:8 They shall have like portions to eat, besides
that which comes of the sale of his patrimony. (See NIV). ...
/b/benefits.htm - 9k

Chimham (4 Occurrences)
... which is by Beth-lehem" (Jeremiah 41:17 the King James Version), it has been inferred
that Chimham received a grant of land from David's patrimony at Bethlehem ...
/c/chimham.htm - 10k

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