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κληρονόμος

klēronómos

G2818 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

One who inherits or is designated to receive an assigned share, especially property or rights, by legal, familial, or other formal means; an heir or inheritor. In broader or metaphorical contexts, someone who receives, is entitled to, or takes possession of something passed on from another, whether tangible or intangible (such as an estate, rank, privilege, spiritual promise, or tradition). The word encompasses both literal and figurative inheritances.

Semantic Range

heir, inheritor, recipient of an inheritance, beneficiary (literal or figurative), possessor by assignment or promise, one entitled to receive property, rights, or spiritual blessings

Root / Etymology

From κλῆρος ('lot, share, inheritance') and νέμω ('to distribute, allot, assign'). κληρονόμος compounds the ideas of assigning/sharing by lot and legal inheritance. The second element derives from the root of νόμος in the sense of 'portion' or 'that which is allotted/distributed.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, κληρονόμος primarily denoted a legitimate heir, especially of family property or estate, highlighting the role of formal or legal inheritance. In the Septuagint (LXX), it often renders Hebrew terms for 'heir' or 'possessor,' including those who inherit land or covenantal promises (e.g., Israel as the 'heir' of the promised land), thereby extending the sense from mere family property to include corporate and spiritual inheritances. In Hellenistic and Roman society, the term was loaded with legal connotations and frequently used for those designated in wills or familial succession. In the New Testament and other Koine sources, the primary meaning remains 'heir,' but with extended metaphorical use: someone who receives spiritual blessings or promises (e.g., κληρονόμοι θεοῦ, 'heirs of God'), inheritors of eschatological promises, or those entitled to privileges within a covenantal framework. Standard English translations like 'heir' capture core meaning but may not reflect all metaphorical or collective applications (e.g., a people as κληρονόμοι). The concept of divine or spiritual inheritance is especially developed in New Testament usage, where κληρονόμος can denote participation in a promised eschatological future rather than mere transmission of property. In contrast to words like διάδοχος ('successor'), which can simply mean one who comes after, κληρονόμος stresses formal, rightful, or destined receipt of what is apportioned.

Translation Consistency

primary "heir" 13 occurrences

The SILEX range describes a person who receives an inheritance or entitlement; the most natural, common English noun for that is "heir." It is the most frequent rendering in the P2 data (8 of 15) and comfortably covers both literal and figurative senses (inheritor, beneficiary, recipient of rights or blessings) while remaining short and natural for consistent use across all forms of G2818.

Alternatives (2 occurrences):
"inheritors" (2x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from κλῆρος and the base of νόμος (in its original sense of partitioning, i.e. (reflexively) getting by apportionment); a sharer by lot, i.e. inheritor (literally or figuratively); by implication, a possessor:--heir.

Root Family

κληρονόμος (klēronomos) — to assign by lot, to inherit, to possess as an heir

Root κληρονόμ- to assign by lot, to inherit, to possess as an heir

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2818-04 κληρονόμος kleronomos N NOM M SG heir heir heir 6
G2818-01 κληρονόμοι kleronomoi N NOM M PL heirs heirs heirs 5
G2818-03 κληρονόμον kleronomon N ACC M SG heir an heir heir 2
G2818-05 κληρονόμους kleronomous N ACC M PL heirs inheritors inheritors 1
G2818-02 κληρονόμοις kleronomois N DAT M PL heirs to inheritors inheritors 1

Occurrences in Scripture

15 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2818-04 Matthew 21:38 κληρονόμος kleronomos N NOM M SG heir heir heir
G2818-04 Mark 12:7 κληρονόμος kleronomos N NOM M SG heir heir heir
G2818-04 Luke 20:14 κληρονόμος kleronomos N NOM M SG heir heir heir
G2818-03 Romans 4:13 κληρονόμον kleronomon N ACC M SG heir an heir heir
G2818-01 Romans 4:14 κληρονόμοι kleronomoi N NOM M PL heirs heirs heirs
G2818-01 Romans 8:17 κληρονόμοι kleronomoi N NOM M PL heirs heirs heirs
G2818-01 Romans 8:17 κληρονόμοι kleronomoi-2 N NOM M PL heirs heirs heirs
G2818-01 Galatians 3:29 κληρονόμοι kleronomoi N NOM M PL heirs heirs heirs
G2818-04 Galatians 4:1 κληρονόμος kleronomos N NOM M SG heir heir heir
G2818-04 Galatians 4:7 κληρονόμος kleronomos N NOM M SG an heir heir heir
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