(See COVENANT, (See HEIR.) Ahithophel's giving charge concerning his house (2Sa_17:23), and the recommendation to Hezekiah to "give charge concerning" his, are of the nature of a will (2Ki_20:1); the first distinctly recorded case is that of Herod.
Fausset's Bible Dictionary
By Andrew Robert Fausset, co-Author of Jamieson, Fausset and Brown's 1888.
Wills. 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, Lev_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.
See Heir.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
By Dr. William Smith.Published in 1863
The subject of testamentary disposition is, of course, intimately connected with that of inheritance, and little need be added here to what will be found there. SEE HEIR. Under a system of close inheritance like that of the Jews, the scope for bequest in respect of land was limited by the right of redemption and general re-entry in the Jubilee year. SEE JUBILEE; Vow. 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 (Lev_25:30). Two instances are recorded in the Old Test., under' the law, of testamentary disposition
1. Effected in the case of Ahithophel (2Sa_17:23);
2. Recommended in the case of Hezekiah (2Ki_20:1; Isa_28:1); and it may be remarked in both that the word set in order(צַוָּה; Sept. ἐντέλλομαι; Vulg. dispono. צִוָּאָהin Rabbinic is a will. See Gesen. Thesaur. p. 1155), marg. give charge concerning, agrees with the Arabic word command, which also means make a will(Michaelis, Laws of Moses, art. 80). Various directions concerning wills will be found in the Mishna, which imply disposition of land (Baba Bathr. 8:6, 7). SEE TESTAMENT.
CYCLOPEDIA OF BIBLICAL, THEOLOGICAL AND ECCLESIASTICAL
press 1895.