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Bible Encyclopedias
Inheritance
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
or
The Pentateuch distinguishes clearly between real and personal property, the fundamental idea regarding the former being the thought that the land is God's, given by Him to His children, the people of Israel, and hence, cannot be alienated (Leviticus 25:23 , Leviticus 25:28 ). In order that there might not be any respecter of persons in the division, the lot was to determine the specific piece to be owned by each family head (Numbers 26:52-56; Numbers 33:54 ). In case, through necessity of circumstances, a homestead was sold, the title could pass only temporarily; for in the year of Jubilee every homestead must again return to the original owner or heir (Leviticus 25:25-34 ). Real estate given to the priesthood must be appraised, and could be redeemed by the payment of the appraised valuation, thus preventing the transfer of real property even in this case (Leviticus 27:14-25 ). Inheritance was controlled by the following regulations: (1) The firstborn son inherited a double portion of all the father's possession (Deuteronomy 21:15-17 ); (2) The daughters were entitled to an inheritance, provided there were no sons in the family (Numbers 27:8 ); (3) in case there were no direct heirs, the brothers or more distant kinsmen were recognized (Numbers 27:9-11 ); in no case should an estate pass from one tribe to another. The above points were made the subject of statutory law at the instance of the daughters of Zelophehad, the entire case being clearly set forth in Nu 27; Numbers 36:1-13 .
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Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. Entry for 'Inheritance'. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/isb/i/inheritance.html. 1915.
