### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **yᵉrushshâh**, represented by `{{H3425}}`, is a term derived from the verb to inherit, signifying something occupied, a conquest, or a patrimony. It is translated as **heritage, inheritance, possession**. Appearing **14 times** in **12 verses**, this word describes a possession that is taken, often by displacing previous occupants, and held as a rightful inheritance.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In scripture, `{{H3425}}` is frequently used to describe land granted by God. The LORD commands Israel not to distress Moab, because He has given Ar to the children of Lot as a **possession** [[Deuteronomy 2:9]]. Similarly, God gave mount Seir to Esau for a **possession** [[Deuteronomy 2:5]], demonstrating that His sovereign allocation of land extends beyond Israel. For Israel, the land promised to them is repeatedly called their **possession** ([[Deuteronomy 2:12]], [[Joshua 1:15]]). The term also carries a legal weight, as seen when Jeremiah is told the "right of **inheritance** is thine" [[Jeremiah 32:8]]. In a spiritual sense, it denotes the **heritage** God gives to those that fear His name [[Psalms 61:5]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words provide a fuller context for the concept of inheritance:
* `{{H3423}}` **yârash** (to occupy, seize, inherit): This is the root verb from which `{{H3425}}` is derived, signifying the action of taking a possession. It is used to describe how the children of Esau **succeeded** the Horims, destroying them and dwelling in their land [[Deuteronomy 2:12]].
* `{{H5414}}` **nâthan** (to give, put, make): This word is crucial as it emphasizes the divine source of the possession. The inheritance is a gift from God, as stated in [[Deuteronomy 2:5]], where God says, "I have **given** mount Seir unto Esau for a possession."
* `{{H1353}}` **gᵉʼullâh** (redemption, kindred, right): This term connects inheritance to legal and familial rights. In Jeremiah's case, the right of **inheritance** `{{H3425}}` and the right of **redemption** are explicitly linked, highlighting the lawful aspect of possessing a patrimony [[Jeremiah 32:8]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H3425}}` is significant, revealing key aspects of God's relationship with humanity and nations.
* **Sovereign Allotment:** The word underscores God's absolute sovereignty in distributing land. He gives Moab and the descendants of Esau their **possession** ([[Deuteronomy 2:9]], [[Deuteronomy 2:5]]) and commands Israel to respect these divinely appointed boundaries.
* **Inheritance as Divine Gift:** A **possession** is not something merely taken by human strength but is fundamentally a gift from God. The land Israel received was a **possession** which the LORD **gave** `{{H5414}}` to them [[Deuteronomy 2:12]]. This is also true for the tribes on the east side of the Jordan [[Joshua 12:6]].
* **Spiritual Heritage:** The concept transcends physical territory. For those who fear God, their **heritage** is a spiritual reality granted by God Himself [[Psalms 61:5]], a promise that is not confined to a specific land but to a relationship with Him.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H3425}}` is a multifaceted term that encompasses far more than simple ownership of land. It signifies a divinely granted **heritage** or **possession**, secured either through direct inheritance or conquest. Whether referring to the physical land given to Israel and other nations or the spiritual **heritage** of the faithful, the word consistently points to God as the ultimate source and guarantor of the inheritance.
TRV