In the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, “purtenance” refers to that which pertains or belongs to something, often used in the context of property or possessions. It signifies the accessories or belongings associated with a particular entity, as seen in passages discussing inheritance or possessions.
Scripture
1 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt,
2 “This month shall be for you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year for you.
3 Tell all the congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month every man shall take a lamb according to their fathers’ houses, a lamb for a household.
4 And if the household is too small for a lamb, then he and his nearest neighbor shall take according to the number of persons; according to what each can eat you shall make your count for the lamb.
5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old.
6 and you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill their lambs at twilight.
7 Then they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it.
8 They shall eat the flesh that night, roasted on the fire; with unleavened bread and bitter herbs they shall eat it.
9 Do not eat any of it raw or boiled in water, but roasted, its head with its legs and its inner parts.
10 And you shall let none of it remain until the morning; anything that remains until the morning you shall burn.
11 In this manner you shall eat it: with your belt fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord’s Passover.
Purtenance Definition in the Bible (KJV)
The term “purtenance” in the King James Version of the Bible embodies the concept of ownership and the connection to one’s possessions or belongings. This idea is particularly prominent in the context of inheritance law and property rights as illustrated in Leviticus 25:34, which states, “But the field of the suburbs of their cities may not be sold; for it is their perpetual possession.” Here, the purtenances refer to all that is owned alongside the land, emphasizing the importance of familial and tribal inheritances in ancient Israel. Property was not merely a physical asset but a critical part of one’s identity, social standing, and legacy within the community. The concept affirms the continuity of ownership and attachment to the land, which further underscores God’s promise of provision and stability to His people.
Beyond the literal sense of physical belongings, the broader biblical implication of purtenance extends to spiritual and relational dimensions. In the context of believers in Christ, 1 Peter 2:9 reminds us that we are “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” Just as property and inheritance carry with them responsibilities and privileges, so too does our identity in Christ entail a purtenance of spiritual gifts, communal ties, and moral obligations. The notion of purtenance thus invites believers to recognize their belonging to God and to one another within the body of Christ, reflecting a communal aspect of faith that is sustained through love, stewardship, and shared responsibility in fulfilling God’s will on Earth.
Another mention of “purtenance” in biblical literature connects to the principles of stewardship and accountability. In the Scriptures, the relationship between humans and their possessions is framed not merely in terms of ownership, but also in regard to how these possessions are managed. For instance, throughout the parables of Jesus, there is a recurring theme that underscores the importance of being faithful stewards of what has been entrusted to each individual. The talents given to servants highlight that while possessions may seem solely theirs, they are, in truth, gifts from God that require responsible handling. This portrayal suggests that purtenance involves not only the physical assets one holds but also the spiritual duty toward those assets, motivating believers to act in ways that honor God’s intentions for their lives.
Additionally, the concept of purtenance can engage with the communal and relational aspects of faith. The early Church, as described in the book of Acts, exemplifies a living out of purtenance through the sharing of resources among believers. The communal lifestyle reflected in these passages demonstrates an understanding that individual possessions are intertwined with collective well-being and support. This mutual provision strengthens the bonds within the faith community and highlights a larger spiritual inheritance that transcends material possessions. Therefore, purtenance in a biblical context calls for a holistic understanding where one’s belongings and relationships are treated with dignity and care, aligning with the principles of love and unity established by Christ, ultimately pointing to a greater purpose beyond earthly possessions.
Understanding Purtenance in Biblical Context
The term “purtenance” in the Bible refers to the belongings or possessions that are associated with a particular entity, often highlighting the importance of stewardship and responsibility. In a broader sense, it emphasizes the idea that everything we possess is ultimately a part of a greater divine plan, and we are called to manage these resources wisely.
Theological Implications of Ownership
Purtenance also carries theological implications regarding ownership and divine right. It suggests that while individuals may possess certain items or properties, the ultimate ownership belongs to God. This understanding encourages believers to view their possessions as gifts from God, fostering a sense of gratitude and accountability in how they use and share their resources with others.
Community and Shared Resources
Additionally, the concept of purtenance can be linked to the idea of community and shared resources within the body of believers. It underscores the importance of supporting one another and recognizing that our possessions can serve a greater purpose when shared. This communal aspect reflects the biblical principle of unity and collective responsibility, urging believers to care for one another and contribute to the well-being of the community as a whole.
How to Embrace Biblical Possessions for Spiritual Growth
Embracing biblical possessions for spiritual growth is about recognizing that our material belongings can serve a higher purpose in our faith journey. As you reflect on passages like Matthew 6:19-21, where Jesus teaches us to store up treasures in heaven rather than on earth, consider how your possessions can be tools for service and generosity. Start by evaluating what you own—are there items you can share with those in need, or perhaps resources you can use to support your community? By intentionally using your possessions to bless others, you not only cultivate a spirit of gratitude but also deepen your connection to God’s love and provision. Remember, it’s not about the quantity of what you give, but the heart behind it; as you let go of the grip on material things, you’ll find that your spiritual life flourishes in ways you never imagined.
Bible References to Purtenance Definition KJV:
Leviticus 1:1-9: 1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
2 “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When any one of you brings an offering to the Lord, you shall bring your offering of livestock from the herd or from the flock.”
3 If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he shall offer a male without blemish. He shall bring it to the entrance of the tent of meeting, that he may be accepted before the Lord.
4 He shall lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.
5 Then he shall kill the bull before the Lord, and Aaron’s sons the priests shall bring the blood and throw the blood against the sides of the altar that is at the entrance of the tent of meeting.
6 And he shall flay the burnt offering and cut it into pieces,
7 The sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire on the altar and arrange wood on the fire.
8 And the priests, Aaron’s sons, shall arrange the pieces, the head, and the fat, on the wood that is on the fire on the altar;
9 but its entrails and its legs he shall wash with water. And the priest shall burn all of it on the altar, as a burnt offering, a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the Lord.
Leviticus 3:1-5: 1 “If his offering is a sacrifice of peace offering, if he offers an animal from the herd, male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before the Lord.
2 And he shall lay his hand on the head of his offering and kill it at the entrance of the tent of meeting, and Aaron’s sons the priests shall throw the blood against the sides of the altar.
3 And from the sacrifice of the peace offering, as a food offering to the Lord, he shall offer the fat covering the entrails and all the fat that is on the entrails,
4 Then he shall offer from it all its fat: the fat tail, the fat that covers the entrails,
5 Then Aaron’s sons shall burn it on the altar on top of the burnt offering, which is on the wood on the fire; it is a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the Lord.
Leviticus 4:1-12: 1 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
2 “Speak to the people of Israel, saying, If anyone sins unintentionally in any of the Lord’s commandments about things not to be done, and does any one of them,
3 if it is the anointed priest who sins, thus bringing guilt on the people, then he shall offer for the sin that he has committed a bull from the herd without blemish to the Lord for a sin offering.
4 He shall bring the bull to the entrance of the tent of meeting before the Lord and lay his hand on the head of the bull and kill the bull before the Lord.
5 Then the anointed priest shall take some of the blood of the bull and bring it into the tent of meeting,
6 and the priest shall dip his finger in the blood and sprinkle part of the blood seven times before the Lord in front of the veil of the sanctuary.
7 And the priest shall put some of the blood on the horns of the altar of fragrant incense before the Lord that is in the tent of meeting, and all the rest of the blood of the bull he shall pour out at the base of the altar of burnt offering that is at the entrance of the tent of meeting.
8 And he shall take from it all the fat of the bull of the sin offering; the fat that covers the entrails and all the fat that is on the entrails,
9 And the two kidneys with the fat that is on them at the loins, and the long lobe of the liver that he shall remove with the kidneys.
10 But the bull he shall carry outside the camp and burn it up as he burned the first bull; it is the sin offering for the assembly.
11 But the skin of the bull and all its flesh, with its head, its legs, its entrails, and its dung—
12 that is, all the rest of the bull—he shall carry outside the camp to a clean place, to the ash heap, and shall burn it up on a fire of wood. On the ash heap it shall be burned up.
Leviticus 7:1-10: 1 “This is the law of the guilt offering. It is most holy.”
2 In the place where they kill the burnt offering they shall kill the guilt offering, and its blood shall be thrown against the sides of the altar.
3 And all its fat he shall offer from it: the fat tail, the fat that covers the entrails,
4 Then he shall offer from it all its fat; the fat tail, the fat that covers the entrails,
5 Then the priest shall burn them on the altar as a food offering with a pleasing aroma. All fat is the Lord’s.
6 Every male among the priests may eat of it. It shall be eaten in a holy place. It is most holy.
7 The guilt offering is just like the sin offering; there is one law for them. The priest who makes atonement with it shall have it.
8 And the priest who offers any man’s burnt offering shall have for himself the skin of the burnt offering that he has offered.
9 And every grain offering baked in the oven and all that is prepared in a pan or on a griddle shall belong to the priest who offers it.
10 But the breast that is waved and the thigh that is contributed you shall eat in a clean place, you and your sons and your daughters with you, for they are given as your due and your sons’ due from the sacrifices of the peace offerings of the people of Israel.
Deuteronomy 12:1-28: 1 “These are the statutes and rules that you shall be careful to do in the land that the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you to possess, all the days that you live on the earth.
2 You shall surely destroy all the places where the nations whom you shall dispossess served their gods, on the high mountains and on the hills and under every green tree.
3 You shall tear down their altars and dash in pieces their pillars and burn their Asherim with fire. You shall chop down the carved images of their gods and destroy their name out of that place.
4 You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way.
5 But you shall seek the place that the Lord your God will choose out of all your tribes to put his name and make his habitation there. There you shall go,
6 And there you shall bring your burnt offerings and your sacrifices, your tithes and the contribution that you present, your vow offerings, your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herd and of your flock.
7 And there you shall eat before the Lord your God, and you shall rejoice, you and your households, in all that you undertake, in which the Lord your God has blessed you.
8 “You shall not do according to all that we are doing here today, everyone doing whatever is right in his own eyes,”
9 for you have not as yet come to the rest and to the inheritance that the Lord your God is giving you.
10 But when you go over the Jordan and live in the land that the Lord your God is giving you to inherit, and when he gives you rest from all your enemies around, so that you live in safety,
11 then to the place that the Lord your God will choose, to make his name dwell there, there you shall bring all that I command you: your burnt offerings and your sacrifices, your tithes and the contribution that you present, and all your finest vow offerings that you vow to the Lord.
12 And you shall rejoice before the Lord your God, you and your sons and your daughters, your male servants and your female servants, and the Levite that is within your towns, since he has no portion or inheritance with you.
13 Take care that you do not offer your burnt offerings at any place that you see,
14 But in the place that the Lord will choose in one of your tribes, there you shall offer your burnt offerings, and there you shall do all that I am commanding you.
15 “However, you may slaughter and eat meat within any of your towns, as much as you desire, according to the blessing of the Lord your God that he has given you. The unclean and the clean may eat of it, as of the gazelle and as of the deer.”
16 Only you shall not eat the blood; you shall pour it out on the earth like water.
17 You may not eat within your towns the tithe of your grain or of your wine or of your oil, or the firstborn of your herd or of your flock, or any of your vow offerings that you vow, or your freewill offerings or the contribution that you present,
18 but you shall eat them before the Lord your God in the place that the Lord your God will choose, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant, and the Levite who is within your towns. And you shall rejoice before the Lord your God in all that you undertake.
19 Take care that you do not neglect the Levite as long as you live in your land.
20 “When the Lord your God enlarges your territory, as he has promised you, and you say, ‘I will eat meat,’ because you crave meat, you may eat meat whenever you desire.
21 If the place that the Lord your God will choose to put his name there is too far from you, then you may kill any of your herd or your flock, which the Lord has given you, as I have commanded you, and you may eat within your towns whenever you desire.
22 Just as the gazelle or the deer is eaten, so you may eat of it. The unclean and the clean alike may eat of it.
23 Only be sure that you do not eat the blood, for the blood is the life, and you shall not eat the life with the flesh.
24 You shall not eat it; you shall pour it out on the earth like water.
25 You shall not eat it, that all may go well with you and with your children after you, when you do what is right in the sight of the Lord.
26 But the holy things that are due from you, and your vow offerings, you shall take, and you shall go to the place that the Lord will choose,
27 And you shall offer your burnt offerings, the flesh and the blood, on the altar of the Lord your God.
28 Be careful to obey all these words that I command you, that it may go well with you and with your children after you forever, when you do what is good and right in the sight of the Lord your God.
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.