### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **ʼăchuzzâh**, represented by `{{H272}}`, defines something seized or held, specifically a **possession**, with a strong emphasis on land. It appears 66 times across 58 unique verses in the Bible. Derived from the root `{{H270}}` meaning "to seize," ʼăchuzzâh signifies a secured holding, often one that is legally or divinely established.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In biblical narratives, `{{H272}}` is central to the concept of land inheritance and divine promise. God promises the land of Canaan to Abraham and his descendants as an "everlasting **possession**" ([[Genesis 17:8]], [[Genesis 48:4]]), establishing it as a covenantal gift. The word also defines the tangible inheritance of the Israelite families, which was to be returned to them during the Year of Jubilee [[Leviticus 25:10]]. Its use extends from a specific plot of land for a buryingplace [[Genesis 23:4]] to the collective territories of the tribes [[Joshua 22:9]]. For the Levites, who had no terrestrial inheritance, God himself becomes their **possession** [[Ezekiel 44:28]], elevating the concept from a physical to a spiritual reality.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words provide a fuller understanding of possession and inheritance:
* `{{H270}}` **ʼâchaz** (to seize): As the primitive root of ʼăchuzzâh, this verb describes the act of taking hold or possessing something. It is used to describe the Israelites taking **possession** of the land of Gilead [[Joshua 22:9]].
* `{{H5159}}` **nachălâh** (heritage, inheritance): Often used alongside ʼăchuzzâh, this word emphasizes the inherited nature of a possession. In the laws for the Levites, their inheritance `{{H5159}}` from the tribes' **possession** `{{H272}}` is specified [[Numbers 35:2]].
* `{{H1350}}` **gâʼal** (to redeem): This term is crucial in the laws concerning land. It describes the action of a next of kin buying back a relative's property if they were forced to sell their **possession** [[Leviticus 25:25]].
* `{{H4376}}` **mâkar** (to sell): This word represents the transfer of ownership, often out of necessity. It is used when a poor brother has **sold** away some of his **possession** [[Leviticus 25:25]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H272}}` is significant, connecting physical land to divine faithfulness and purpose.
* **Covenantal Inheritance:** The concept of **possession** is foundational to God's covenant with Israel. The land is not merely acquired territory but a promised gift from God, linking the people to their divine benefactor ([[Genesis 17:8]], [[Numbers 32:22]]).
* **Perpetuity and Restoration:** The laws of Jubilee ensure that a family's **possession** could not be permanently lost, pointing to a divine order of preservation and restoration [[Leviticus 25:10]]. This reflects God's enduring commitment to His people's heritage.
* **The Ultimate Possession:** The idea is spiritualized when God declares to the priests, "I am their **possession**" [[Ezekiel 44:28]]. This shows that the greatest inheritance is not land, but a direct relationship with the Lord Himself.
* **Messianic Dominion:** The scope of **possession** extends beyond Israel's borders in messianic prophecy. God promises to give the nations as an inheritance and "the uttermost parts of the earth" for a **possession** [[Psalms 2:8]], pointing to Christ's future global reign.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H272}}` moves beyond the simple idea of ownership. It embodies the concept of a securely held, divinely given inheritance that is central to Israel's identity and theology. From the promise of a physical homeland for Abraham's descendants to the spiritual reality of God as the ultimate inheritance, ʼăchuzzâh illustrates a core tenet of scripture: that all true and lasting possession ultimately comes from God.
TRV