Gentile

Gentile - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

GEN'TILE, n. [L. gentilis; from L. gens, nation, race; applied to pagans.]

In the scriptures, a pagan; a worshipper of false gods; any person not a Jew or a christian; a heathen. The Hebrews included in the term goim or nations, all the tribes of men who had not received the true faith,and were not circumcised. The christians translated goim by the L. gentes, and imitated the Jews in giving the name gentiles to all nations who were not Jews nor christians. In civil affairs, the denomination was given to all nations who were not Romans.

GEN'TILE, a. Pertaining to pagans or heathens.

Definition

The term “Gentile” refers to anyone who is not a Jew. Gentiles are people who are not descendants of Jacob.

• In the Bible, the term “uncircumcised” is also used figuratively to refer to Gentiles because many of them did not circumcise their male children as the Israelites did.
• Because God chose the Jews to be his special people, they thought of the Gentiles as outsiders who could never be God’s people.
• The Jews were also called “Israelites” or “Hebrews” at different times in history. They referred to anyone else as a “Gentile.”
• Gentile could also be translated as “not a Jew” or “non-Jewish” or “not an Israelite” (Old Testament) or “non-Jew.”.
• Traditionally, Jews would neither eat with nor associate with Gentiles, which at first caused problems within the early church.

(See also: Israel, Jacob, Jew)

Bible References

• Acts 9:13-16
• Acts 14:5-7
• Galatians 2:16
• Luke 2:32
• Matthew 5:47
• Matthew 6:5-7
• Romans 11:25

Word Data

• Strong’s: H1471, G14820, G14840, G16720