To understand the application of any term in Scripture it is always useful we have to begin with what is generally referred to as the principle of first mention.
The law (or principle or rule) of first mention is a guideline that says that, to understand a particular word or doctrine, we must find the first place in Scripture that word or doctrine is revealed and study that passage.
As helpful as first mentions can be, care must be taken to keep all ideas, words, and doctrine of the Bible in context.
In our example, we will begin to look at the first mention of The Land not in terms of the entire scriptures but within the context of God’s Promise to Abraham at the time Abram. We will then stay within that context as it unfolds in the scripture until it applies to us today
