The Bible uses the concept of inheritance to portray the promises of God, especially relating to the blessings that believers can expect to receive, both in life and eternity. The principles of inheritance set forth in the Bible are not only for earthly possessions but also for spiritual and eternal treasures.
What Inheritance Means in the Bible
In the Bible, inheritance often refers to the physical land and property passed down from one generation to another. In the Old Testament, specifically within the context of the Israelites, God promised a physical inheritance in the form of land to Abraham and his descendants. However, the New Testament shifts focus from physical to spiritual inheritance. It signifies eternal life, aspects of the Kingdom of God, and the promise of future glory in heaven for believers. It also symbolizes the believer’s share in the divine nature and the blessings procured by Christ.
Who Is Eligible to Receive this Spiritual Inheritance?
The Bible emphasizes that all who believe and follow God’s teachings are eligible to receive spiritual inheritance. Believers, under God’s adoption, are referred to as “heirs” signifying that they are entitled to His promises and blessings. This spiritual inheritance, however, is not just a future promise. It possesses an ‘already, but not yet’ character. Parts of this inheritance can be experienced presently in the form of spiritual gifts and blessings, while other aspects are to be enjoyed fully in the life hereafter.
Why Is the Concept of Inheritance Significant?
The concept of inheritance in the Bible is significantly tied to God’s covenant promises. It communicates key aspects regarding God’s character and His intentions for His people. It indicates God’s generosity, grace, and love, offering hopes for the future in difficult times. God’s promise of an inheritance is also significant because it provides motivation for believers to faithfully follow God’s teachings and commandments. Moreover, the concept serves as a mark of assurance, guaranteeing believers the blessings and rewards that come from being children of God.
When Is This Inheritance Received?
In scripture, God’s inheritance can be received both now and in the future. The present inheritance consists of the blessings, wisdom, and peace that come from knowing God and abiding in His love. The future inheritance, however, is eternal and unchanging. It includes living eternally with God in Heaven and sharing in His divine nature. This final inheritance is said to come to fruition when Jesus returns and restores all things to Himself.
Where Are the Themes of Inheritance Found?
Throughout the Bible, the themes of inheritance are found predominantly in the books of Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomy, Numbers, and Romans. Genesis and Exodus, for example, detail the promise of a land for the Israelites, underlining the physical inheritance. The book of Numbers, particularly, discusses how this inheritance is passed among the Israelites and the specific laws governing this. Deuteronomy reiterates God’s promises of inheritance and blessings to the obedient. Meanwhile, Romans extensively covers the topic of spiritual inheritance available through faith in Christ, highlighting the eternal life and glory believers can expect in the hereafter.
Below is our full list of bible verses on inheritance (King James Version – KJV) provided in ranked order.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Inheritance
Proverbs 13:22
“22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.”
Related Themes: Money Finances Children Grandparents
Ephesians 1:11-14
“11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”
Related Themes: Sovereignty Complaining Favor
Proverbs 20:21
“21 An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.”
Colossians 3:23-24
“23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”
Related Themes: Creativity Business Attitude Laziness Money
Acts 20:32
“32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.”
Related Themes: Grace
Ephesians 1:18
“18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,”
Related Themes: Hope Homelessness Omnipotence Eyes
Titus 3:7
“7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
Related Themes: Hope Justification Grace
Romans 8:17
“17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”
Related Themes: Suffering Glorification Persecution
Psalm 37:29
“29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.”
Deuteronomy 21:15-17
“15 If a man have two wives, one beloved, and another hated, and they have born him children, both the beloved and the hated; and if the firstborn son be hers that was hated:16 Then it shall be, when he maketh his sons to inherit that which he hath, that he may not make the son of the beloved firstborn before the son of the hated, which is indeed the firstborn:17 But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his.”
Related Themes: Marriage
Luke 12:13-21
“13 And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.14 And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
Related Themes: Judging Others
Colossians 1:12
“12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:”
Related Themes: Lust
Galatians 5:19-21
“19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Related Themes: Lust Abomination Lust Bitterness Adultery
Luke 15:25-31
“25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.”
Related Themes: Music Envy And Jealousy
Numbers 36:6-9
“6 This is the thing which the LORD doth command concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, saying, Let them marry to whom they think best; only to the family of the tribe of their father shall they marry.7 So shall not the inheritance of the children of Israel remove from tribe to tribe: for every one of the children of Israel shall keep himself to the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers.8 And every daughter, that possesseth an inheritance in any tribe of the children of Israel, shall be wife unto one of the family of the tribe of her father, that the children of Israel may enjoy every man the inheritance of his fathers.9 Neither shall the inheritance remove from one tribe to another tribe; but every one of the tribes of the children of Israel shall keep himself to his own inheritance.”
Psalm 16:6
“6 The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.”
1 Peter 1:3-12
“3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.10 Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.”
Related Themes: Hope New Beginnings New Life Resurrection Mercy
Matthew 5:5
“5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”
Numbers 27:6-11
“6 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,7 The daughters of Zelophehad speak right: thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father’s brethren; and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them.8 And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a man die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter.9 And if he have no daughter, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his brethren.10 And if he have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his father’s brethren.11 And if his father have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his kinsman that is next to him of his family, and he shall possess it: and it shall be unto the children of Israel a statute of judgment, as the LORD commanded Moses.”
Ephesians 1:14
“14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”
Related Themes: Redemption Self Respect
Psalm 16:5
“5 The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.”
Related Themes: Boundaries Boundaries
1 Peter 1:4
“4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,”
Proverbs 17:2
“2 A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.”
Ephesians 1:11
“11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:”
Related Themes: Sovereignty Complaining Favor
Psalm 37:11
“11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.”
Galatians 3:29
“29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
Ephesians 5:5
“5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.”
Hebrews 9:15
“15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.”
Related Themes: Freedom Redemption
Hebrews 1:14
“14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?”
Related Themes: Earth Angels Ministering
Hebrews 9:16
“16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.”
