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INFORM
1.
(
#
&
, 1718), “to manifest, exhibit,” in the middle and passive
voices, “to appear, also signifies to declare, make known,” and is translated “informed”
in Acts 24:1; 25:2, 15. For all the occurrences of the word see
APPEAR
, A, No. 5.
2.
(
!
, 2727) primarily denotes “to resound” (
, “down,”
“a
sound”); then, “to sound down the ears, to teach by word of mouth, instruct, inform”
(Eng., “catechize, catechumen”); it is rendered, in the passive voice, by the verb “to
inform,” in Acts 21:21, 24. Here it is used of the large numbers of Jewish believers at
Jerusalem whose zeal for the Law had been stirred by information of accusations made
against the Apostle Paul, as to certain anti-Mosaic teaching he was supposed to have
given the Jews. See
INSTRUCT
,
TEACH
.
For
INHABITANTS, INHABITERS
see
DWELL
, A, No. 2
INHERIT, INHERITANCE
A. Verbs.
1.
(
$
!
, 2816) strictly means “to receive by lot” (
, “a lot,”
, “to possess”); then, in a more general sense, “to possess oneself of, to receive
as one’s own, to obtain.” The following list shows how in the NT the idea of inheriting
broadens out to include all spiritual good provided through and in Christ, and particularly
all that is contained in the hope grounded on the promises of God.
The verb is used of the following objects:
“(a) birthright, that into the possession of which one enters in virtue of sonship, not
because of a price paid or of a task accomplished, Gal. 4:30; Heb. 1:4; 12:17:
(b) that which is received as a gift, in contrast with that which is received as the
reward of law-keeping, Heb. 1:14; 6:12 (“through,” i.e., “through experiences that called
for the exercise of faith and patience,’ but not ‘on the ground of the exercise of faith and
patience.’):
(c) that which is received on condition of obedience to certain precepts, 1 Pet. 3:9,
and of faithfulness to God amidst opposition, Rev. 21:7:
(d) the reward of that condition of soul which forbears retaliation and self-
vindication, and expresses itself in gentleness of behavior.… Matt. 5:5. The phrase
“inherit the earth,” or “land,” occur several times in OT. See especially Ps. 37:11, 22:
(e) the reward (in the coming age, Mark 10:30) of the acknowledgment of the
paramountcy of the claims of Christ, Matt. 19:29. In the three accounts given of this
incident, see Mark 10:17-31; Luke 18:18-30, the words of the question put to the Lord
are, in Matthew, “that I may have,” in Mark and Luke, “that I may inherit.” In the report
of the Lord’s word to Peter in reply to his subsequent question, Matthew has “inherit
eternal life,” while Mark and Luke have “receive eternal life.” It seems to follow that the
meaning of the word “inherit” is here ruled by the words “receive” and “have,” with
which it is interchanged in each of the three Gospels, i.e., the less common word “inherit”
is to be regarded as equivalent to the more common words “receive” and “have.” Cf.
Luke 10:25:
(f) the reward of those who have shown kindness to the “brethren” of the Lord in their
distress, Matt. 25:34: