Under the patriarchs the property of a father was divided among the sons of his legitimate wives (Genesis 21:10; 24:36; 25:5), the eldest son getting a larger portion than the rest. The Mosaic law made specific regulations regarding the transmission of real property, which are given in detail in Deuteronomy 21:17; Numbers 27:8; 36:6; 27:9-11. Succession to property was a matter of right and not of favour. Christ is the "heir of all things" (Hebrews 1:2; Colossians 1:15). Believers are heirs of the "promise," "of righteousness," "of the kingdom," "of the world," "of God," "joint heirs" with Christ (Galatians 3:29; Hebrews 6:17; 11:7; James 2:5; Romans 4:13; 8:17).

Noah Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language

1. (n.) One who inherits, or is entitled to succeed to the possession of, any property after the death of its owner; one on whom the law bestows the title or property of another at the death of the latter.

2. (n.) One who receives any endowment from an ancestor or relation; as, the heir of one's reputation or virtues.

3. (v. t.) To inherit; to succeed to.