wills Summary and Overview

Under a system of close inheritance like that of the Jews, the scope forbid bequest in respect of land was limited by the right of redemption and general re-entry in the jubilee year; but the law does not forbid bequests by will of such limited interest in land as was consistent with those rights. The case of houses in walled towns was different, and there can be no doubt that they must, in fact, have frequently been bequeathed by will, #Le 25:30| Two instances are recorded in the Old Testament under the law of the testamentary disposition, (1) effected in the case of Ahithophel, #2Sa 17:23| (2) recommended in the case of Hezekiah. #2Ki 20:1; Isa 38:1| [HEIR]

(See COVENANT, (See HEIR.) Ahithophel's giving charge concerning his house (2 Samuel 17:23), and the recommendation to Hezekiah to "give charge concerning" his, are of the nature of a will (2 Kings 20:1); the first distinctly recorded case is that of Herod.