heir(s)

A Dictionary of the Bible | 1997 | 591 words | Copyright

heir(s) Laws of inheritance were precise in ancient Israel, and gave priority to the eldest son (Deut. 21: 17) of a man's wife, and therefore by rights Esau rather than Jacob was entitled to his father's blessing (Gen. 27: 36). Cf. Luke 15: 31. However, it was possible for a daughter also to inherit (Job 42: 15) provided that she did not marry outside the tribe (Num. 27: 1–8). If there were no children, the brother of the deceased came into the inheritance.

Paul uses the principle of inheritance to describe a person's relationship to God (Rom. 8: 16–17; cf. Heb. 9: 15).

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W. R. F. BROWNING. "heir(s)." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

W. R. F. BROWNING. "heir(s)." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O94-heirs.html

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