מוֹרָשָׁה (mo.ra.shah)
mo.ra.shah
possession
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun morashah refers to a possession, specifically one that is inherited or held as an ancestral right. In the Hebrew Bible, it carries the weight of something secure and permanent, distinguishing it from temporary property or mere rental. It denotes what belongs to a family line by birthright or divine grant.
This term appears in only two verses, both found in the book of Exodus (15:17) and Deuteronomy (32:9). In these contexts, it describes the land of Israel as God’s special possession. The sources highlight that this is not just real estate; it signifies a covenantal relationship where the people are claimed by God as His own heritage.
The theological significance lies in its use to describe the chosen people themselves. When Deuteronomy 32:9 calls Israel His portion and inheritance, it uses morashah to emphasize that their identity and security are rooted in their unique bond with the Creator. This usage underscores that belonging to God is a gift of grace, not merely a territorial claim.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word morashah points to something far deeper than temporary property or a rental agreement. It describes a secure, permanent possession held by birthright or divine grant. When Scripture uses this term, it speaks of an inheritance that is settled and unshakeable, rooted in the identity of a family line.
In Deuteronomy 33:4, Moses calls the law an inheritance for Jacob. This reminds us that God’s guidance is not a burden to be carried lightly, but a lasting gift passed down through generations. It belongs to you by right of relationship, offering stability in a changing world.
Your place in God’s family is not accidental or fleeting. You are part of a covenantal bond that secures your identity and future. This heritage provides a foundation of peace, knowing that what God has given remains with you forever.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a possession2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מוֹרָשָׁ֖ה2×
Key Verses
-
Deuteronomy 33:4
Moses commanded us a law, an inheritance for the assembly of Jacob.
This verse applies morashah to the law itself, showing that divine instruction is a permanent, inherited right for the community of Jacob rather than a temporary rule.
-
Exodus 6:8
I will bring you into the land which I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it to you for a heritage: I am Yahweh.’”
Here the term connects the physical land to God's oath to the patriarchs, framing the territory as a settled possession granted by promise rather than conquest.