In biblical terms, the word "parcel" often refers to a piece or portion of land. This concept is significant in the context of the ancient Near Eastern culture, where land ownership and inheritance were crucial aspects of life and society. The term is used in various passages throughout the Bible, highlighting its importance in both historical and theological contexts.

Old Testament References

One of the notable mentions of a "parcel of land" is found in the book of Genesis. In Genesis 33:19 , it is recorded that Jacob purchased a parcel of land from the sons of Hamor, Shechem's father, for a hundred pieces of silver. This transaction is significant as it marks a moment of settlement and ownership for Jacob in the Promised Land, reflecting God's covenantal promises to the patriarchs.

Another important reference is in Joshua 24:32 , where it is mentioned that the bones of Joseph, which the Israelites had brought up from Egypt, were buried at Shechem in the parcel of land that Jacob had bought. This act of burial in the purchased land underscores the fulfillment of God's promises to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as well as the continuity of God's covenant with Israel.

Theological Significance

The concept of a parcel of land in the Bible is deeply intertwined with the themes of promise, inheritance, and divine provision. Land was not merely a physical possession but a tangible sign of God's faithfulness and blessing. The acquisition and inheritance of land were often seen as a fulfillment of God's promises to His people, as seen in the narratives of the patriarchs and the Israelites' conquest of Canaan.

In the broader biblical narrative, the land serves as a symbol of God's kingdom and the place where His people are to live in obedience and worship. The division and allocation of land among the tribes of Israel, as detailed in the book of Joshua, further emphasize the importance of land as a divine gift and a responsibility for the Israelites to steward according to God's laws.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the ancient Near East, land transactions were formalized through covenants and agreements, often involving witnesses and the exchange of goods or currency. The purchase of a parcel of land, as seen in the biblical accounts, reflects these cultural practices and highlights the legal and social dimensions of land ownership.

The significance of land in the biblical context also extends to the prophetic literature, where the loss or restoration of land is often used as a metaphor for Israel's relationship with God. The exile and return of the Israelites are depicted in terms of losing and regaining the land, symbolizing judgment and redemption.

Conclusion

The concept of a parcel of land in the Bible is rich with historical, cultural, and theological meaning. It serves as a testament to God's promises and faithfulness, a symbol of inheritance and blessing, and a reminder of the covenantal relationship between God and His people.1. (n.) A portion of anything taken separately; a fragment of a whole; a part.

2. (n.) A part; a portion; a piece; as, a certain piece of land is part and parcel of another piece.

3. (n.) An indiscriminate or indefinite number, measure, or quantity; a collection; a group.

4. (n.) A number or quantity of things put up together; a bundle; a package; a packet.

5. (v. t.) To divide and distribute by parts or portions; -- often with out or into.

6. (v. t.) To add a parcel or item to; to itemize.

7. (v. t.) To make up into a parcel; as, to parcel a customer's purchases; the machine parcels yarn, wool, etc.

8. (a. & adv.) Part or half; in part; partially. Shak. [Sometimes hyphened with the word following.]

PARCEL

par'-sel: Properly "a little part," in Elizabethan English being used in almost any sense. In the King James Version of Genesis 33:19 Joshua 24:32 Ruth 4:3 1 Chronicles 11:13, 14 it is the translation of chelqah; John 4:5 of chorion-both the Greek and Hebrew words meaning a "piece of land." the Revised Version (British and American) writes "plot" in 1 Chronicles 11:13, 14, but if the change was needed at all, it should have been made throughout.

5564. chorion -- a place, property
... of chora Definition a place, property NASB Word Usage field (3), land (3), lands
(1), parcel of ground (1), place (2). field, land, parcel of ground. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5564.htm - 7k

3551. nomos -- that which is assigned, hence usage, law
... Word Origin from nemo (to parcel out) Definition that which is assigned, hence usage,
law NASB Word Usage Law (193), laws (2), principle (1). law. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3551.htm - 7k

1268. dianemo -- to distribute, to disseminate
... about. Word Origin from dia and nemo (to parcel out) Definition to distribute,
to disseminate NASB Word Usage spread (1). spread. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1268.htm - 6k

6872a. tseror -- a bundle, parcel, pouch, bag
... 6872, 6872a. tseror. 6872b . a bundle, parcel, pouch, bag. Transliteration:
tseror Short Definition: bag. Word Origin from tsarar ...
/hebrew/6872a.htm - 5k

6872. tsrowr -- a bundle, parcel, pouch, bag
... 6871, 6872. tsrowr. 6872a . a bundle, parcel, pouch, bag. Transliteration:
tsrowr Phonetic Spelling: (tser-ore') Short Definition: bag. ...
/hebrew/6872.htm - 5k

2513. chelqah -- a portion (of ground)
... Short Definition: field. field, ground, parcel, part, piece of land ground,
plat, portion, Feminine of cheleq; properly, smoothness ...
/hebrew/2513.htm - 5k

2505a. chalaq -- to divide, share
... assigned (1), disperse (1), distribute (1), distributed (2), divide (12), divided
(18), divides (1), dividing (2), given her a share (1), parcel (1), parceled ...
/hebrew/2505a.htm - 6k

Jesus Sets Out from Jud??a for Galilee.
... d 5 So he cometh to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground
that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.6 and Jacob's well was there. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxvi jesus sets out from 2.htm

Jesus at the Well.
... Near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. In this
parcel Joseph was buried when Israel came up out of Egypt ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/jesus at the well.htm

Jesus at the Well of Sychar
... Here, in the parcel of ground' afterwards given to Joseph, [1957] which Jacob had
brought from the people of the land, the patriarch had, at great labour and ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter viii jesus at the.htm

"And the Blood of Jesus Christ his Son Cleanseth us from all Sin. ...
... Now, my beloved, for you who look upon the gospel by a parcel,(243) and such a parcel
as enjoins much upon you, I would earnestly beseech you to open and ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xv and the blood.htm

Tillotson -- the Reasonableness of a Resurrection
... There being no such great difference between one parcel of dust and another; neither
in respect of the power of God, which can easily command this parcel of ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons vol 2/tillotson the reasonableness of.htm

The Story of one Furlough (1908-1910)
... A few days later a friend telephoned me that her mother had recently returned from
a visit to Chicago, and wished me to come over to see a parcel she had ...
/.../goforth/how i know god answers prayer/vii the story of one.htm

Love, the Motive Power for Service.
... said, she was sorry he was going, but if he would call at her house on Tuesday morning
and ring the front door bell, there would be a little parcel waiting for ...
/.../moody/to the work to the work/chapter ii love the motive.htm

A Supplementary Chapter to the Bible in Spain
... May I sink beneath the billows, which is my foretold fate, ere I become again a
parcel of Spain"accursed land, I hate thee, and so long as I can uphold my ...
/.../a supplementary chapter to the.htm

Introduction
... conception of the world; a theoretical basis for antinomianism was afforded by those
who sought to explain the origin of evil as part and parcel of the ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/introduction 4.htm

On the Road to Jerusalem
... Keturah, Laodice's handmaiden, had fainted with terror and was carried parcel-wise
over the great arm of Momus, the mute, out into the street and deposited ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the city of delight/chapter ii on the road.htm

Parcel (10 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A part; a portion; a piece; as, a certain piece of land is part and parcel
of another piece. ... 6. (vt) To add a parcel or item to; to itemize. ...
/p/parcel.htm - 11k

Sychar (1 Occurrence)
... Jacob's Well (John 4:5). He was passing through Samaria on His way to Galilee,
"so he cometh to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground ...
/s/sychar.htm - 10k

Jacob's (34 Occurrences)
... dispute. It was dug by Jacob, and hence its name, in the "parcel of ground"
which he purchased from the sons of Hamor (Genesis 33:19). ...
/j/jacob's.htm - 23k

Plot (53 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). John 4:5 So he came to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near the
parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son, Joseph. (See NIV). ...
/p/plot.htm - 22k

Buying (12 Occurrences)
... Other examples of primitive buying are found in Joshua 24:32 ("the parcel of ground
which Jacob bought of the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for a hundred ...
/b/buying.htm - 23k

Hamor (13 Occurrences)
... Genesis 33:19 He bought the parcel of ground where he had spread his tent, at the
hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem's father, for one hundred pieces of ...
/h/hamor.htm - 12k

Shechem (61 Occurrences)
... pitched his tent and built his first altar in the Promised Land, and received the
first divine promise (Genesis 12:6, 7). Here also Jacob "bought a parcel of a ...
/s/shechem.htm - 38k

Piece (93 Occurrences)
... Genesis 33:19 He bought the parcel of ground where he had spread his tent, at the
hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem's father, for one hundred pieces of ...
/p/piece.htm - 40k

Parbar (1 Occurrence)

/p/parbar.htm - 8k

Bought (66 Occurrences)
... Genesis 33:19 He bought the parcel of ground where he had spread his tent, at the
hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem's father, for one hundred pieces of ...
/b/bought.htm - 28k

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