Meaning
lit. denotes "one who obtains a lot or portion" (kleros, "a lot," nemomai, "to possess"), especially of an inheritance. The NT usage may be analyzed as under: "(a) the person to whom property is to pass on the death of the owner, Mat 21:38, Mar 12:7, Luk 20:14, Gal 4:1; (b) one to whom something has been assigned by God, on possession of which, however, he has not yet entered, as Abraham, Rom 1:4-14, Heb 6:17; Christ, Heb 1:2; the poor saints, Jam 2:5; (c) believers, inasmuch as they share in the new order of things to be ushered in at the return of Christ, Rom 8:17, Gal 3:29, Gal 4:7, Tit 3:7; (d) one who receives something other than by merit, as Noah, Heb 11:7." * [* From Notes on Galatians, by Hogg and Vine, pp. 177, 178.]
In the Sept., Jdg 18:7, 2Sa 14:7, Jer 8:10, Mic 1:15.
"a joint-heir, co-inheritor" (sun, "with," and No. 1), "is used of Issac and Jacob as participants with Abraham in the promises of God, Heb 11:9; of husband and wife who are also united in Christ, 1Pe 3:7; of Gentiles who believe, as participants in the Gospel with Jews who believe, Eph 3:6; and of all believers as prospective participants with Christ in His glory, as recompense for their participation in His sufferings, Rom 8:17." * [* ibid, p. 178.]
"to be an heir to, to inherit" (see A, No. 1), is rendered "shall (not) inherit with" in Gal 4:30, RV, AV, "shall (not) be heir with;" in Heb 1:14, RV, "shall inherit," AV, "shall be heirs of." See INHERIT. Cp. kleroomai, "to be taken as an inheritance," kleronomia, "an inheritance," kleros, "a lot, an inheritance."
