the Week of Proper 26 / Ordinary 31
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Bible Dictionaries
Heir
Smith's Bible Dictionary
or 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; Genesis 24:36; Genesis 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, Deuteronomy 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.
These files are public domain.
Smith, William, Dr. Entry for 'Heir'. Smith's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/sbd/h/heir.html. 1901.
