Inheritance (2817) (kleronomia from kleros = lot + némo = give or distribute) is literally that which is distributed by lot and so refers to a portion which one receives by lot in a general distribution and then, in a more general sense means to possess oneself of, to receive as one's own, to obtain. In other words it can refer to a property already received as well as one that is expected. Although kleronomia is an inheritance which one receives by lot, in the NT the idea of chance associated with the lot is not found. Kleronomia is used 14 times Matthew 21:38 "But when the vine-growers saw the son, they said among themselves, 'This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and seize his inheritance.' Mark 12:7 "But those vine-growers said to one another, 'This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours!' Luke 12:13 And someone in the crowd said to Him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me." Luke 20:14 "But when the vine-growers saw him, they reasoned with one another, saying, 'This is the heir; let us kill him that the inheritance may be ours.' Acts 7:5 "And He gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot of ground; and yet, even when he had no child, He promised that He would give it to him as a possession, and to his offspring after him. Acts 20:32 "And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. (What does the Word of God do?) Galatians 3:18 For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise. Ephesians 1:14 (note) (Holy Spirit) Who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, (What is God's desire for His children in regard to their inheritance?) Ephesians 5:5 (note) For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. (Note: No inheritance ~ no salvation.) Colossians 3:24 (note) knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ Whom you serve. (What is associated with the inheritance?) Hebrews 9:15 (note) And for this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, in order that since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. Hebrews 11:8 (note) By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. 1 Peter 1:4 (note) to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, (compare "eternal inheritance" in Hebrews 9:15!) See Spurgeon's sermon related to inheritance - Psalm 47:4 A Wise Desire Kleronomia becomes the portion or heritage which one receives by virtue of birth or by special gift. It can mean a property already received as well as one that is expected. But here the inheritance is kept for the believer, not on earth but in heaven, and is another name for that salvation which is ready to be revealed. The idea of an inheritance was much more important to a New Testament Jew than it is to us today. Our living HOPE includes this inheritance as begotten (birthed) children who are now heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ (Ro8:17) We are included in Christ’s last will and testament, and we share the glory with Him (Jn 17:22—24). In 1 Pe 1:5,9, (see note 1 Peter 5:9) this inheritance is called “salvation.” The believer is already saved by grace through faith in Christ (Ep 2:8, 9, 10 (notes Ep 2:8; 2:9; 10), but the consummation of that salvation awaits the return of the Savior. Then we shall have new bodies and enter into a new environment, the heavenly Jerusalem. Kleronomia - 150 uses in the Septuagint (LXX) Gen. 31:14; Exod. 15:17; Num. 18:20, 23; 24:18; 26:54, 56; 27:7ff; 32:18; 34:2; 35:8; 36:2ff, 7ff, 12; Deut. 2:12; 3:20; 12:9; 19:14; 32:9; 33:4; Jos. 1:15; 11:23; 12:6; 13:1, 7, 14, 23, 28; 15:20; 16:5, 8f; 17:4; 18:7, 20, 28; 19:1, 8ff, 16, 23, 31, 39, 47; Jdg. 2:6, 9; 18:1; 20:6; 21:17, 23f; Ruth 4:5f, 10; 1 Sam. 10:1; 26:19; 2 Sam. 14:16; 20:1, 19; 21:3; 1 Ki. 8:12, 36, 51; 12:16, 24; 21:3, 6; 2 Ki. 21:14; 1 Chr. 16:18; 21:12; 2 Chr. 6:27; 10:16; 20:11; 31:1; Est. 4:17; 10:3; Job 31:2; 42:15; Ps. 2:8; 16:5f; 28:9; 33:12; 37:18; 47:4; 61:5; 68:9; 74:2; 78:62, 71; 79:1; 94:5, 14; 105:11; 106:5, 40; 111:6; 127:3; 135:12; 136:21f; Isa. 17:14; 19:25; 47:6; 49:8; 54:17; 58:14; 63:17; Jer. 2:7; 3:19; 10:16; 12:7ff, 14f; 16:18; 50:11; 51:19; Lam. 5:2; Ezek. 11:15; 25:4, 10; 44:28; 45:1; 46:16ff; 47:14, 22f; 48:28; Joel 2:17; 3:2; Mic. 1:14f; 2:2; 7:14, 18; Zech. 4:7; Mal. 1:3 The Septuagint (LXX) uses often refers to Israel’s promised possession of the land (cf. Nu 26:54, 56; 34:2; Joshua 11:23) which was her possession, granted as a gift from God. As the children of the King, we share His inheritance in glory (Ro 8:17-note; Ep 1:14-note; Ephesians 1:18). We are included in Christ’s last will and testament, and we share the glory with Him (Jn 17:22,24). F B Meyer writes... Yes, it is an inheritance. It is a free gift, and yet we have a right to it. We do not ask for it — we were born into its blessed privilege. The child that lies in yonder cradle, over which the coronet is emblazoned, may claim his broad ancestral estates simply by right of birth: and it is on that tenure that the saints hold heaven. By God’s great mercy we have been begotten again. Oh, blessed heritage! Incorruptible! The gnawing tooth of decay cannot injure it. Moth and rust cannot consume, nor thieves break through to steal. No spendthrift hand can scatter or over-spend its treasures. Undefiled! Not a stain on its pure robes; not a freckle on its leaves; not a taint of miasma on its atmosphere. Into the city entereth nothing that defileth, or worketh abomination, or maketh a lie. That fadeth not away! To use the Greek word, it is amaranthine. Some of the fairest hopes that ever blessed human vision; the most delightful friendships; the most perfect dreams of delight, have faded and withered before our eyes. That never can. It is kept for us, and we are kept for it. It is reserved in heaven for you. “I have a heritage of joy, That yet I must not see; The hand that bled to make it mine, Is keeping it for me.” Who by the power of God are guarded through faith. — The idea is that we are being brought through an enemy’s country under a strong escortas the women and children from Lucknow, between the double line of English soldiers, till they were safe from the onset of the Sepoys. We are not in heaven yet; but we are as safe as if we were. (Our Daily Homily)