Protos

What does "Heir" mean in the Bible?

The Hebrew institutions relative to inheritance were of a very simple character. Heir appears in 8 verses across 6 books of the Bible.

What does the Bible say about Heir?

The Hebrew institutions relative to inheritance were of a very simple character. Under the patriarchal system the property was divided among the sons of the legitimate wives, (Genesis 21:10; 24:36; 25:5) a larger portion being assigned to one, generally the eldest, on whom devolved the duty of maintaining the females of the family. The sons of concubines were portioned off with presents. (Genesis 25:6) At a later period the exclusion of the sons of concubines was rigidly enforced. (Judges 11:1) ff. Daughters had no share in the patrimony, (Genesis 21:14) but received a marriage portion. The Mosaic law regulated the succession to real property thus: it has to be divided among the sons, the eldest receiving a double portion, (21:17) the others equal shares; if there were no sons, it went to the daughters, (Numbers 27:8) on the condition that they did not marry out of their own tribe, (Numbers 36:6) ff.; otherwise the patrimony was forfeited. If there were no daughters it went to the brother of the deceased; if no brother, to the paternal uncle; and, failing these to the next of kin. (Numbers 27:9-11)

Definition text: Smith's Bible Dictionary · 1863. Public domain.

Compiled by Protos: the verse list on this page. Where one name belongs to more than one person or place, each of them gets a separate entry.

What is the Greek word for Heir?

Greek · G2818

κληρονόμος

klēronomos

heir

TBESG, from Abbott-Smith (1922). Public domain.

Where does Heir appear in the Bible?

Heir is referenced in 8 verses across 6 books. Every passage below is about this one, not just every verse the word turns up in.

What else appears in these passages?

These turn up in the same passages as Heir.

Common questions

How many times does the Bible mention Heir?

Heir appears in 8 verses across 6 books, most often in Galatians, which accounts for 2 of them.

Which books of the Bible mention Heir?

Galatians, Hebrews, Luke, Matthew, Mark, Romans.

Where can I read every verse about Heir?

This page lists 8 of them. Protos carries all 8, and opens this entry on the verse you are reading rather than in a separate tab.

Read it in context

Read Galatians with "Heir" explained on the verse.

Tap any name, place, or word you do not recognize and the background opens on the verse you are reading. No second tab, no search, no losing your place.

The Protos reader open on Genesis 1 with the How to Read Genesis background sheet raised over it
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Fabio Jonathan ArifinFabio JonathanFounder of Protos · Portland Bible College graduate

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