Parcel
The Meaning of Parcel in Scripture
The word "parcel" appears in older English translations of the Bible to describe a piece or plot of land. It translates the Hebrew word "chelqah," meaning a portion or section of ground, and the Greek word "chorion," which carries the same meaning. Modern translations typically render the word as "plot," "piece," or "tract" of land. Though the terminology may seem archaic, the concept of defined land ownership runs deeply through the biblical narrative and carries significant theological weight.
Jacob's Purchase at Shechem
One of the most notable parcels of land in Scripture is the piece of ground that Jacob purchased from the sons of Hamor at Shechem for one hundred pieces of money (Genesis 33:19). This transaction established a lasting connection between the patriarchs and the land of Canaan. The same parcel later became the burial place for the bones of Joseph, which the Israelites had carried out of Egypt (Joshua 24:32). Jesus himself sat beside Jacob's well on this parcel of ground during his conversation with the Samaritan woman (John 4:5-6).
The Field of Boaz and Naomi
Another significant parcel appears in the book of Ruth, where Naomi possessed a piece of land that had belonged to her deceased husband Elimelech (Ruth 4:3). Boaz's willingness to redeem this parcel, along with his marriage to Ruth, became a powerful picture of kinsman-redemption. This act preserved the family line that would eventually produce King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ. The parcel of land thus became part of the messianic story.
The Battlefield at Pas-dammim
In the military narratives of David's mighty warriors, a parcel of ground becomes the setting for heroic valor. At a place full of barley, David's warriors took their stand and defended the parcel against the Philistines, winning a great victory (1 Chronicles 11:13-14). This account demonstrates that even small pieces of ground could become sites of significant national and spiritual importance when God's people stood firm in faith.
Land Ownership in Biblical Culture
In ancient Israel, land was far more than a commodity. It was God's gift to his people, distributed by tribe and family according to divine instruction (Numbers 26:52-56). The laws of Jubilee ensured that parcels of land would return to their original family owners every fifty years (Leviticus 25:10-13). Selling or losing one's parcel represented a serious diminishment of one's inheritance and standing in the community.
Theological Significance of Land
The biblical emphasis on parcels of land reflects God's concrete, tangible promises to his people. From Abraham's purchase of the cave of Machpelah (Genesis 23) to Jacob's field at Shechem, each land acquisition represented a step of faith in God's promise that the entire land would one day belong to Abraham's descendants. These individual parcels served as down payments on a much larger divine promise.
Biblical Context
The word 'parcel' appears in Genesis 33:19, Joshua 24:32, Ruth 4:3, 1 Chronicles 11:13-14, and John 4:5, always referring to a defined piece of land. These parcels are connected to major biblical figures including Jacob, Joseph, Boaz, David's warriors, and Jesus himself.
Theological Significance
Parcels of land in Scripture represent God's tangible promises to his people. Each land purchase or defense was an act of faith in God's covenant promise to give the land of Canaan to Abraham's descendants. The concept of land as divine inheritance runs throughout the Bible, from the patriarchal narratives to the prophetic visions of restoration.
Historical Background
Land ownership in the ancient Near East was typically documented through purchase contracts, boundary markers, and witness testimony. Archaeological discoveries of ancient land deeds from Mesopotamia and Egypt confirm the practices described in the Bible. The concept of family land as an inalienable inheritance was distinctive to Israelite law and reflected their understanding of the land as God's gift.