The term "bequeath" refers to the act of leaving personal property or a legacy to someone through a will. In biblical times, the concept of bequeathing was closely tied to the inheritance laws and practices of ancient Israel, as well as the broader cultural and familial obligations of the time.

Biblical Context

In the Bible, the idea of bequeathing is often associated with the transfer of blessings, birthrights, and property from one generation to the next. This is particularly evident in the patriarchal narratives of the Old Testament, where the passing on of blessings and inheritance played a crucial role in the unfolding of God's covenant promises.

Inheritance Laws

The Mosaic Law provided specific guidelines for inheritance, ensuring that property remained within the family and tribe. According to Numbers 27:8-11, if a man died without a son, his inheritance was to be passed to his daughter. If he had no daughter, it would go to his brothers, and if he had no brothers, it would go to his father's brothers. This system was designed to preserve the family lineage and maintain the tribal allotments given by God.

Examples in Scripture

1. Abraham and Isaac: Abraham bequeathed all he had to Isaac, the son of promise, while giving gifts to his other sons and sending them away (Genesis 25:5-6). This act ensured that Isaac would be the primary heir of God's covenant blessings.

2. Jacob and Esau: The account of Jacob and Esau highlights the significance of the birthright and blessing. Esau, the firstborn, sold his birthright to Jacob for a meal (Genesis 25:29-34), and later, Jacob deceitfully obtained the blessing meant for Esau from their father Isaac (Genesis 27:1-40). These events underscore the weight of bequeathing blessings and the irreversible nature of such acts once spoken.

3. Joseph's Sons: In Genesis 48, Jacob bequeaths a special blessing to Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, effectively adopting them as his own and granting them a share in the inheritance alongside his other sons. This act elevated their status and integrated them into the tribes of Israel.

Spiritual Implications

In the New Testament, the concept of bequeathing takes on a spiritual dimension. Believers are described as heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). This inheritance is not material but spiritual, encompassing eternal life and the promises of God. The Apostle Peter writes of an inheritance that is "imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you" (1 Peter 1:4).

Jesus' Bequest

Before His crucifixion, Jesus bequeathed peace to His disciples, saying, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you" (John 14:27). This gift of peace is a profound spiritual legacy, offering comfort and assurance to believers amidst trials and tribulations.

Conclusion

The biblical concept of bequeathing encompasses both the tangible and intangible, reflecting God's faithfulness in providing for His people and ensuring the continuity of His covenant promises through generations.1. (v. t.) To give or leave by will; to give by testament; as to bequeath a trust fund.

2. (v. t.) To hand down; to transmit.

3. (v. t.) To give; to offer; to commit.

5277. hupolimpano -- to leave behind
... leave. A prolonged form for hupoleipo; to leave behind, ie Bequeath -- leave. see
GREEK hupoleipo. (upolimpanon) -- 1 Occurrence. 5276, 5277. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5277.htm - 6k5157. nachal -- to get or take as a possession
... 1), apportion the inheritance (1), apportioned (1), apportioned for an inheritance
(1), apportioning for inheritance (1), bequeath (2), distributed (1), divide ...
/hebrew/5157.htm - 7k

Design of the Treatise. Disavowal of Personal Motives in Writing ...
... for such matters, why ought we not much more to take forethought for our posterity
[342] in things divine and heavenly, and in a sense to bequeath a legacy to ...
/.../tertullian/to his wife/chapter i design of the treatise.htm

Prayer and Consecration
... died in poverty; but having two wealthy friends, Arct??us and Carixenus, left the
following testament: In virtue of my last will, I bequeath to Arct??us my ...
/.../bounds/the essentials of prayer/viii prayer and consecration.htm

Nun Freut Euch, Lieben Christen G'Mein. Dear Christians, one and ...
... praised forever. Take heed lest men with base alloy The heavenly treasure
should destroy. This counsel I bequeath thee. 1. Nun freut ...
/.../bacon/the hymns of martin luther/i nun freut euch lieben.htm

The Believer's Dying Testament.
... Friends, hearken, ere I go! God, my Father, to Thy hand. This spirit I bequeath;
Guide it through this desert land,. And through the gates of death. ...
/.../borthwick/hymns from the land of luther/the believers dying testament.htm

St. Epiphanius, Bishop of Cyprus, and a Particular Account of his ...
... who had been induced by their admiration of Epiphanius to entrust him with the
distribution of their alms during their lives, or to bequeath their property to ...
/.../chapter xxvii st epiphanius bishop of.htm

John 14:25-28
... your hearts with sacred fire. Peace is the gift I leave with you; my peace
to you bequeath; Peace that shall comfort you through life,. ...
/.../anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/43 john 14 25-28.htm

Barnabas. --Acts, xi. 22-26.
... To heathen Antioch, when they came,. And first received their Master's name,. They
gloried in it, and bequeath'd. The inheritance to all that breathed:". ...
/.../montgomery/sacred poems and hymns/hymn cxxxviii barnabas acts xi 22-26.htm

The New Testament in the Blood of Christ; Or, the New Covenant ...
... are thine. 4 I call that legacy my own Which Jesus did bequeath; 'Twas
purchas'd with a dying groan, And ratify'd in death. 5 Sweet ...
/.../watts/hymns and spiritual songs/hymn 3 3 the new testament.htm

Fire in a Coalpit
... So poor Mr. Prior, speaking of his own tomb, has those melancholy words, "For this
last piece of human vanity, I bequeath five hundred pounds.". ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/wesley/the journal of john wesley/fire in a coalpit.htm

The Character of the Commonitory which the Legates Received ...
... Let request be also made that the law depriving heretics of the power of being able
to receive or bequeath by gift or by will, be straightway renewed by their ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xciii greek xcvi the.htm

Bequeath (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To give or leave by will; to give by testament;
as to bequeath a trust fund. ...Bequeath (2 Occurrences). ...
/b/bequeath.htm - 7k

Be'or (11 Occurrences)
Be'or. Beor, Be'or. Bequeath . Multi-Version Concordance Be'or (11 Occurrences).
2 ... RSV). Beor, Be'or. Bequeath . Reference Bible.
/b/be'or.htm - 9k

Leave (341 Occurrences)
... 11. (v.) To have remaining at death; hence, to bequeath; as, he left a large
estate; he left a good name; he left a legacy to his niece. 12. ...
/l/leave.htm - 35k

Will (64996 Occurrences)
... 13. (n.) To give or direct the disposal of by testament; to bequeath; to devise;
as, to will one's estate to a child; also, to order or direct by testament; as ...
/w/will.htm - 13k

Bequeathed (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Bequeath. Multi-Version Concordance
Bequeathed (1 Occurrence). Acts 7:45 That Tent was bequeathed ...
/b/bequeathed.htm - 6k

Philippians (2 Occurrences)
... If this is his last will and testament to his beloved church, as Holtzmann calls
it, he has nothing to bequeath them but his unqualified benediction. ...
/p/philippians.htm - 42k

Discomfiture (6 Occurrences)
... If this is his last will and testament to his beloved church, as Holtzmann calls
it, he has nothing to bequeath them but his unqualified benediction. ...
/d/discomfiture.htm - 101k

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Bequeath: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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