Inheritance

[Heir]

INHER'ITANCE. In the O.T. we have no record of wills. The property-holder made a disposition of his property during his lifetime. There do not seem to have been very definite laws stipulating the exact proportion to be given to each heir. The sons had priority of right, and, in case there were no sons, the daughters became heirs. Num 27:8. As between the children of concubines and the children of legal wives, the latter seem to have received the whole inheritance, Gen 21:10; Gen 24:36, while gifts were bestowed upon the former. Gen 25:6. However, while these principles were acted upon by Abraham, we dare not make the sweeping assertion that they were of universal application. Jacob blessed both sons of his concubines and sons of his legal wives. Gen 49:1 ff. According to Deut 21:15-17, the first-born son received a double portion. Believers have for their inheritance salvation, Heb 1:14, and the kingdom of heaven. Jas 2:5. They are declared to be "joint-heirs" with Christ and heirs of God because of their sonship. Rom 8:17.

INHER'ITANCE. In the O.T. we have no record of wills. The property-holder made a disposition of his property during his lifetime. There do not seem to have been very definite laws stipulating the exact proportion to be given to each heir. The sons had priority of right, and, in case there were no sons, the daughters became heirs. Num 27:8. As between the children of concubines and the children of legal wives, the latter seem to have received the whole inheritance, Gen 21:10; Gen 24:36, while gifts were bestowed upon the former. Gen 25:6. However, while these principles were acted upon by Abraham, we dare not make the sweeping assertion that they were of universal application. Jacob blessed both sons of his concubines and sons of his legal wives. Gen 49:1 ff. According to Deut 21:15-17, the first-born son received a double portion. Believers have for their inheritance salvation, Heb 1:14, and the kingdom of heaven. Jas 2:5. They are declared to be "joint-heirs" with Christ and heirs of God because of their sonship. Rom 8:17.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. The act or state of inheriting; as, the inheritance of an estate; the inheritance of mental or physical qualities.

2. 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. When the man dies, let the inheritance Descend unto the daughter. Shak.

3. A permanent or valuable possession or blessing, esp. one received by gift or without purchase; a benefaction. To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away. 1 Pet. i. 4.

4. Possession; ownership; acquisition. "The inheritance of their loves." Shak. To you th' inheritance belongs by right Of brother's praise; to you eke Spenser.

5. Transmission and reception by animal or plant generation.

6. A perpetual or continuing right which a man and his heirs have to an estate; an estate which a man has by descent as heir to another, or which he may transmit to another as his heir; an estate derived from an ancestor to an heir in course of law. Blackstone.