Topical Bible: Children: Illegitimate: had No Inheritance

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Topical Encyclopedia

In biblical times, the status of children born out of wedlock, often referred to as "illegitimate," carried significant social and legal implications, particularly concerning inheritance rights. The cultural and legal context of ancient Israel placed a strong emphasis on family lineage and inheritance, which were crucial for maintaining tribal and familial continuity.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament provides specific guidelines regarding the inheritance rights of illegitimate children. In Deuteronomy 23:2 , it is stated, "No one of illegitimate birth may enter the assembly of the LORD, nor may any of his descendants, even to the tenth generation." This verse highlights the exclusion of illegitimate children from certain religious and communal privileges, reflecting the importance of legitimate lineage in Israelite society.

The inheritance laws in the Old Testament were designed to preserve family property within the tribe and clan. As such, illegitimate children were often excluded from inheriting their father's estate. This exclusion was rooted in the desire to maintain clear lines of inheritance and prevent disputes over property rights. The emphasis on legitimate birth ensured that inheritance passed through recognized and lawful family lines.

New Testament Perspective

While the New Testament does not explicitly address the issue of inheritance for illegitimate children, it introduces a broader understanding of spiritual inheritance and belonging. The teachings of Jesus and the apostles emphasize the spiritual family of God, where faith and obedience to God transcend earthly lineage and social status.

In Galatians 3:26-29 , the apostle Paul writes, "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise." This passage underscores the inclusive nature of God's family, where faith in Christ grants believers a spiritual inheritance, regardless of their earthly status or background.

Cultural and Theological Implications

The distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children in terms of inheritance reflects the broader cultural and theological values of ancient Israel. The emphasis on legitimate birth was tied to the preservation of family and tribal identity, which was central to the covenantal relationship between God and His people.

However, the New Testament's focus on spiritual inheritance through faith in Christ offers a transformative perspective. It highlights the inclusive nature of God's kingdom, where all believers, regardless of their earthly status, are considered heirs of God's promises. This shift from a purely legalistic view of inheritance to a spiritual understanding reflects the redemptive work of Christ, who reconciles all believers to God and grants them a place in His eternal family.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 21:10,14
Why she said to Abraham, Cast out this female slave and her son: for the son of this female slave shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Galatians 4:30
Nevertheless what said the scripture? Cast out the female slave and her son: for the son of the female slave shall not be heir with the son of the free woman.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

They Shall be Called the Children of God
... of the promise; and when God in his infinite wisdom had found out ... Without faith we
are creatures, not children. Without faith we are spiritually illegitimate. ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/19 they shall be called.htm

Adoption
... reproach the saints, is as if Shimei had reproached David ... Ye are all the children
of God by faith in ... faith is wrought, we are spiritually illegitimate, we have ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/4 adoption.htm

The Choice of Pursuits.
... existence in abject poverty, resorting to illegitimate means for ... some of them must
burn!" Show your children the truth ... We had better have too many irons in the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/philips/the christian home/chapter xxi the choice of.htm

Moral Characteristics.
... He took care that his children should be well educated ... in other laws Constantine
seems to have had at times ... the son of Constantine, but the illegitimate son of ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/section 5 moral characteristics.htm

On Idolatry
... xiv, 16;) and since the children of Israel ... be changed into that which had no previous
existence. ... of transubstantiating, yet an illegitimate consecration cannot ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 23 on idolatry.htm

On the Great Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria.
... spirit as that in which he had been preferred to ... This is the conduct of illegitimate
and intrusive priests ... for the training of his spiritual children, with very ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxi on the great.htm

The Siege. (xxi, xxxii-xxxiv, xxxvii, xxxviii. )
... as he foresaw the men, women and children of his ... death by the cruel illusions of
their illegitimate governors ... reason to doubt that the editor had good material ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/3 the siege xxi xxxii-xxxiv.htm

Comparison Between the False Church and the True.
... ministry ought not to make us regard it as illegitimate. ... When the Lord had once made
his covenant with the ... Hence the children who were born to them the Lord ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 2 comparison between the.htm

The Original Text and Its History.
... As to the children spoken of in Neh.13:24 ... Moses, which the Lord God of Israel had
given," as ... the Jewish rulers condemned, as profane and illegitimate, all the ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xiv the original text.htm

The Old Testament and Comparative Religion
... the sake of another; 154-158, Illegitimate sexual intercourse ... concubines; 185-194,
Treatment of adopted children; 195-214 ... When no one of the gods had been called ...
/.../eiselen/the christian view of the old testament/chapter v the old testament.htm