Lexical Summary yerushshah: Inheritance, possession Original Word: יְרֻשָּׁה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance heritage, inheritance, possession From yarash; something occupied; a conquest; also a patrimony -- heritage, inheritance, possession. see HEBREW yarash NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom yarash Definition possession, inheritance NASB Translation inheritance (2), own (1), possession (11). Brown-Driver-Briggs יְרֻשָּׁה noun feminine (a) possession, inheritance; — absolute ׳יר Deuteronomy 2:5 7t., construct יְרֻשַּׁת Judges 21:17; Psalm 61:6 (but on text see below); suffix יְרֻשָּֽׁתְךָ2Chronicles 20:11; יְרֻשָּׁתוֺ Deuteronomy 2:12; Deuteronomy 3:20; יְרֻשַּׁתְכֶם Joshua 1:15; — used of land Deuteronomy 2:5,9 (twice in verse); Deuteronomy 2:19 (twice in verse); Deuteronomy 3:20; אֶרֶץ יְרֻשָּׁתוֺ Deuteronomy 2:12 the land of his possession, so Joshua 1:15; further, Joshua 12:6,7; Judges 21:7 (but BuRs 152 נִשְׁאֲרָה), Jeremiah 32:8 + Jer 61:6 (but < אֲרֶשֶׁת request, compare Checritical note.), 2 Chronicles 20:11. Topical Lexicon Thematic Overview The term יְרֻשָּׁה underlines a God-assigned right of possession, most frequently territorial. Each occurrence underscores that land and heritage move into human hands only because the LORD assigns, protects, and regulates the transfer. The word consistently highlights divine sovereignty, covenant faithfulness, and ethical boundaries for Israel and the surrounding nations. Allocation of Land to Israel and Neighboring Peoples • Deuteronomy concentrates over half of the occurrences (2:5, 2:9, 2:12, 2:19 × 2; 3:20). In each, Moses reminds Israel that the territories of Edom, Moab, and Ammon are untouchable because the LORD has already given them as a “possession” to Esau and to Lot’s descendants. The same divine authority that grants Canaan to Israel also safeguards the allotments of other peoples. Inheritance and Divine Sovereignty At every turn יְרֻשָּׁה proclaims that the earth is the LORD’s. He parcels territory according to His redemptive plan, overruling human power dynamics. Israel’s conquest narrative is therefore neither oppressive nationalism nor random warfare but the outworking of covenant promise first spoken to Abraham (Genesis 15:18-21) and later reiterated through Moses and Joshua. Conversely, Israel’s restraint toward Edom, Moab, and Ammon illustrates submission to God’s revealed boundaries. Worship, Identity, and Trust Psalm 61:5 elevates יְרֻשָּׁה from soil to soul: “You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your name”. Here the inheritance is the cumulative spiritual privilege of belonging to the worshiping community. The psalmist interprets covenant membership itself as a granted possession, reinforcing that true security lies in relationship with the LORD rather than in territory alone. Prophetic and Royal Usage Jeremiah’s land purchase (32:8) anticipates national restoration. Buying the field in Anathoth serves as enacted prophecy: the God who assigned inheritances will one day resettle His people upon those same parcels. Likewise, Jehoshaphat’s prayer (2 Chronicles 20:11) treats יְרֻשָּׁה as legal evidence in the heavenly court. The king’s appeal is not merely patriotic but covenantal: invaders threaten a divine grant held in trust by Judah. Military and Territorial Implications Because יְרֻשָּׁה communicates a God-deeded right, military activity gains moral clarity. Israel may dispossess nations in Canaan only under explicit command (Joshua 12:6-7) and must respect the possessions of kin-nations (Deuteronomy 2). Victories are thus read as divine judgment and grace rather than mere force. This framework regulates conquest, restrains aggression, and legitimizes resistance when others violate Israel’s inheritance (2 Chronicles 20). Continuity into New Testament Revelation While the word itself does not appear in Greek Scripture, its theology prepares for New Testament teaching on κληρονομία (inheritance). The land motif widens into the “kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25:34) and the “inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading” (1 Peter 1:4). Just as Joshua allocated Canaan by tribe, so Christ the greater Joshua secures an everlasting possession for His people. Pastoral and Ministry Implications 1. Stewardship: Believers recognize property, calling, and gifting as trusts from God, to be managed under His directives rather than exploited for self-interest. Thus יְרֻשָּׁה frames territorial history, personal piety, and eschatological promise within a single, unbroken testimony: the LORD grants, guards, and ultimately perfects the inheritance of His people. Forms and Transliterations הַיְרֻשָּׁ֛ה הירשה יְ֝רֻשַּׁ֗ת יְרֻשַּׁ֥ת יְרֻשַּׁתְכֶם֙ יְרֻשָּֽׁה׃ יְרֻשָּׁ֔ה יְרֻשָּׁ֖ה יְרֻשָּׁ֗ה יְרֻשָּׁ֣ה יְרֻשָּׁה׃ יְרֻשָּׁת֔וֹ ירשה ירשה׃ ירשת ירשתו ירשתכם לִֽירֻשָּׁת֔וֹ לירשתו מִיְּרֻשָּׁתְךָ֖ מירשתך hay·ruš·šāh hayrushShah hayruššāh lî·ruš·šā·ṯōw lirushshaTo lîruššāṯōw mî·yə·ruš·šā·ṯə·ḵā miyerushshateCha mîyəruššāṯəḵā yə·ruš·šā·ṯōw yə·ruš·šāh yə·ruš·šaṯ yə·ruš·šaṯ·ḵem yerushShah yerushShat yerushshatChem yerushshaTo yəruššāh yəruššaṯ yəruššaṯḵem yəruššāṯōwLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Deuteronomy 2:5 HEB: רָ֑גֶל כִּֽי־ יְרֻשָּׁ֣ה לְעֵשָׂ֔ו נָתַ֖תִּי NAS: Seir to Esau as a possession. KJV: Seir unto Esau [for] a possession. INT: A foot because A possession to Esau have given Deuteronomy 2:9 Deuteronomy 2:9 Deuteronomy 2:12 Deuteronomy 2:19 Deuteronomy 2:19 Deuteronomy 3:20 Joshua 1:15 Joshua 12:6 Joshua 12:7 Judges 21:17 2 Chronicles 20:11 Psalm 61:5 Jeremiah 32:8 14 Occurrences |