Gentiles

Lore & Background

Gentile derives from Latin gentilis, which itself derives from the Latin gens, meaning clan or tribe. Gens derives from the Proto-Indo-European *ǵénh₁tis, meaning birth or production. The original meaning of 'clan' or 'family' was extended in post-Augustan Latin to acquire the wider meaning of belonging to a distinct nation or ethnicity. Later still, the word came to refer to other nations, 'not a Roman citizen'. In Saint Jerome's Latin version of the Bible, the Vulgate, gentilis was used along with gentes, to translate Greek and Hebrew words with similar meanings when the text referred to the non-Israelite peoples. The most important of such Hebrew words was goy (גוי, plural, goyim), a term with the broad meaning of 'people' or 'nation' which was sometimes used to refer to Israelites, but with the plural form goyim tending to be used in the Bible to refer to non-Israelite nations. Other words translated in some contexts to mean 'gentile/s' in the modern sense were the Biblical Hebrew word nokhri (נכרי – often otherwise translated as 'stranger') and for the New Testament Greek word éthnos (ἔθνος). The first English translators followed this approach, using the word 'gentile' to refer to the non-Israelite nations (and principally using the word 'nation(s)' to translate goy/goyim in other contexts). These developments in Bible translation practice were related to developments in Jewish Rabbinical and Christian thinking which – in the centuries after the Old and New Testament were written – created an increasingly clear binary opposition between 'Jew' and 'non-Jew'. The Hebrew word 'goy' went through a change in meaning which parallels the journey of 'gentilis/gentile' – both words moving from meaning 'nation' to 'non-Jew' today. The word 'Goy' is now also used in English, principally by Jewish people – see goy.

Reader's Guide

The Hebrew Bible does not have a word which directly corresponds to the modern concept of a gentile. Instead, the Bible views different groups of gentiles in different ways. Novak states that, 'The biblical categories of Gentiles, beginning with those farthest removed from a relationship with Israel and moving up to those closest to a relationship with Israel, seem to be: (1) the Amalekites; (2) the seven Canaanite nations; (3) the nations of the world; (4) the Samaritans; (5) slaves; (6) resident aliens; (7) proselytes.' The Hebrew Bible does not show much concern for non-Israelites except insofar as they interact with the people of Israel. Nonetheless, because the God of Israel is a universal God, there must be some relationship between gentiles and God. Accordingly, Novak observes, gentiles as well as Israelites are enjoined in the book of Psalms to 'ascribe to the Lord glory and strength' (Psalms 96:7). Christine E. Hayes states that gentiles in the Hebrew Bible were generally gerim (resident aliens). They were not necessarily converts, whether in the modern or rabbinic sense, but were still given many rights and privileges. They were also allowed to keep their distinct ethnic identities. But after Ezra-Nehemiah, many Israelites believed there was an impermeable ritual and genealogical boundary between themselves and gentiles. However, other scholars argue that the boundary is rooted in religious factors. Saul Oylan argues that gentiles automatically became Israelite when they lived in one of their tribal territories, which was believed to reflect 'early practices' (Ezekiel 47:21–23). Troy W. Martin believes Jewishness is defined by adherence to covenantal circumcision, regardless of ancestry (Genesis 17:9–14). Thus, even an uncircumcised Jew could be a gentile despite his biological descent from Abraham. He believes this view was extended to the New Testament, where membership in God's chosen people was based on religious adherence rather than ancestry (Galatians 3:28).

Did You Know?

• The English word 'gentile' derives from the Latin word gentilis, meaning 'of or belonging to the same people or nation'.
• In some translations of the Quran, 'gentile' is used to translate an Arabic word that refers to non-Jews and/or people not versed in or not able to read scripture.
• The Hebrew word 'goy' went through a change in meaning which parallels the journey of 'gentilis/gentile' – both words moving from meaning 'nation' to 'non-Jew' today.
• The Hebrew Bible does not have a word which directly corresponds to the modern concept of a gentile.

Notable Quotes (Wikiquote)

"These seven laws are referred to as the Noahide Laws. They are considered to be binding on all of humanity (i.e., all the descendants of Noah)." — Gentiles "It is a mitzva for a gentile to study the halakhot that pertain to the seven Noahide mitzvot, and when he does so he is highly regarded." — Gentiles "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." — Gentiles "Gentiles persecuted the Jews for thousands of years before the Nazis got efficient at it." — Gentiles