Meaning
A territory is an area of land under the control, possession, or jurisdiction of a person, people, or authority.
Biblical Usage
In the Bible, territory refers to a defined area of land associated with a person, people, tribe, nation, or ruler. Territorial language is especially connected with the division and possession of land, the boundaries of peoples and nations, and the extent of their dominion.
The Bible speaks of territories in relation to inheritance and possession. The land of Canaan was divided among the tribes of Israel according to their inheritances, while surrounding peoples and nations also had defined territories.
Territory is closely related to land, border, boundary, inheritance, and possession, but the terms are not identical. Territory describes the area itself, while a border or boundary describes its limit.
Key References
Joshua 19:49 — The land was divided for inheritance among the tribes of Israel.
Psalm 78:55 — God drove out the nations and “divided them an inheritance by line.”
Ezekiel 47:21 — The land of Israel is described in terms of its territorial inheritance among the tribes.
1 Chronicles 4:10 — Jabez asked God to enlarge his coast, referring to an enlargement of his sphere of land or possession.
Related Terms
- Land
- Border
- Boundary
- Inheritance
- Allotment
- Possession