[Greek] κληρονόμος (klēronomos), [Latin] heres: heir, sharer by lot; Mt.21:38, Mk.12:7, Lk.20:14, Rom.4:13-14, Rom.8:17, Heb.1:2, Heb.6:17, Heb.11:7, Jas.2:5
The parable of the wicked tenants: painting by Maarten van Valckenborch (1580)
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means natural heir, one named by a will or legal provision, one who bears consequences, and one who possesses or controls entrusted goods. Sonship is the basis of natural inheritance. One can inherit consequences (good or bad). Actions can leave behind consequences. Plato’s Laws 923e states “After a will is made, it is discovered that one of the sons or daughters owns a lot in the district; then that person shall resign his legacy in favor of the heir of him that made the will.” Demosthenes’ Against Midias 21.20 states “Some of his victims, gentlemen of the jury, suffered in silence, because they were cowed by him and his self-confidence, or by his gang of bullies, his wealth and all his resources.” Plutarch’s Cicero 41.3 states “These are the most plausible reasons given for the divorce. He did this to get means for the payment of his debts.”
Old Testament: This term, used quite frequently, means heir and owner. However, there are very many related Hebrew equivalent terms. Such meanings include to take possession of, to inherit, to impoverish, to be disposed, to destroy, and to bring ruin. We must put him to death for the life of his brother whom he has slain; we must extinguish their also (2Kgs.14:7). So also with the woman is unfaithful to her husband and offers her heir her son by a stranger (Sir.23:22). Since You have given no offspring to me, one born in my house is my heir (Gen.15:3). O Lord, God, how may I know that I will possess it? (Gen.15:8). Then they gave Hebron to Caleb, as Moses had promised (Jdg.1:20). So their sons entered and possessed the land (Neh.9:24).
New Testament: This term means son, heir, and recipients of God’s promises. Inheritance comes to Jesus, Moses, Noah, Moses’ descendants, and Christians. In the parable of the tenants, these tenants mistakenly think that they can make a claim by killing the landowner’s son. The son represents Jesus. Noah inherits righteousness. Moses and his descendants claim an inheritance from God. God makes His Son Jesus an heir of all things. Christians become heirs and recipients of His promise. Through the Spirit, Christians become heirs (children of God) free from earthly limitations. Christians become joint heirs with Christ, both suffering with Him and being glorified with Him. If one belongs to Christ, one is also Abraham’s descendant, heirs to the promise. The poor (of the Old Testament) were seen by Jesus as particularly open to God in belief and in reliance on Him.
Scripture:
“But the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.’” Mt.21:38
In the parable of the tenants, the tenants mistakenly though they could lay claim by killing the son of the landowner. If a Jewish proselyte dies without an heir, the tenants of the land would have final claim to it. The prophets represent the servants. The landowner’s son represents Jesus.
“For if those who adhere to the law are the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void.” Rom.4:14
It is not the law through which this promise is made. It is righteousness that comes from faith. It is God, rather than the law, that brings this promise. This inheritance cannot be won, but it is given by God.
“Did not God choose those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that He promised to those who love him?” Jas.2:5
Those poor in the world are those open to belief and reliance on God.
Conclusion:
Cleric, clerical, inherit, hereditary, clerk
It is important to note that the Greek culture conveyed the notion of sonship through natural inheritance. It is also interesting to see this term metaphorically means to ‘inherit’ consequences (good or bad). So victim can inherit harm and danger.
In the Old Testament, it is not surprising that these related terms are used quite frequently. It is interesting to note that this term can also be used in a negative sense (to impoverish, to disinherit, to be dispossessed, to devour, and to bring to ruin).
In the New Testament, God’s promise of inheritance surpasses the Law. Righteous Old Testament characters (Moses and Noah) receive an inheritance. Christians receive an inheritance and sonship in the kingdom of God (outside the earthly domain). It is interesting to not this notion correlates with Greek Hellenistic thinking.
Cleric derives from klerikos, pertaining to an inheritance.
I hope you were able to ‘inherit’ some insight about his term.