- Jan 19, 2015
- 62
- 6
What does the Word Gentile mean In both the Old and New testament?
In English Bibles, in the books of both the Old and New Testaments, the word 'gentiles' occurs frequently. The word "Gentile" is used in the Old Testament to translate the Hebrew word Gawaya or Gowy which means "Nations" and the Greek word Ethnos of the New Testament which also means Nations.
Both words denote 'a nation' or 'people'. The word refers to a body of people of racial origin, organized as a separate political state, and occupying a definite territory.
Paleo Hebrew language scholars know that the word gawaya or gowy denotes 'a body politic, or whole people, also in the singular, gawaya or gowy usually refers to the 'nation' of Israel, and in the plural it is specially used of the (other) nations besides Israel, both singular and plural forms of the word are at times used to describe Israel. For instance it was said to Jacob; 'A nation (gowy) and a company of nations (gawayam ) shall be from thee,' (Gen.35:11).
Greek word for Nations is Ethos:
The N.T Greek word used to describe a nation is ethnos which means - "nation" is not applicable to an individual. A person cannot be addressed as a "nation." The idea that a person can be called a "gentile" - stems from incorrect translation of the original word.
Where does the word Gentile come from:
The English word - Gentile - has its origin from the Latin gentelisis and the French gentil, both derived from the root stem gens, a Latin word meaning - "A Selected Clan or Race of the same stock," in a collective sense.
If biblical translators and theologians used the word - "nation" - in every translation, the context would reveal whether ethnos was applicable to the nations of Israel or nations of non-Israel race.
Church leaders and theologians erroneously read scriptures from the Pauline Epistles as addressed to alien peoples of non-Israel race - termed "Gentiles."
By doing this Church leaders and theologians introduce many false doctrines so full of contradictions and lies that they subvert what was taught by CHRIST himself and the message the Apostles were commanded by HIM to expound to the lost sheep of Israel and not alien "Gentiles" (Matthew 10:5-6).
To further prove that the word gentile used both in the singular and plural forms of the word are at times used to describe the "LOST" Israelite people spread all over the world and living in different nations following different customs. The scripture in Acts 21-18-21 is a good example, it clearly shows who Paul taught and who accepted Paul's teachings.
King James Acts 21-18-21
18 And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.
19 And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.
20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:
21 And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.
Lets look at the scripture in Acts 21-18-21 in this context it clearly shows that the word Gentile only refers to the scattered Israelite nation living among non Hebrew people.
These are the Gentiles that Paul has always addressed in his Epistles. Paul did not address other non-Israelite nations.
In English Bibles, in the books of both the Old and New Testaments, the word 'gentiles' occurs frequently. The word "Gentile" is used in the Old Testament to translate the Hebrew word Gawaya or Gowy which means "Nations" and the Greek word Ethnos of the New Testament which also means Nations.
Both words denote 'a nation' or 'people'. The word refers to a body of people of racial origin, organized as a separate political state, and occupying a definite territory.
Paleo Hebrew language scholars know that the word gawaya or gowy denotes 'a body politic, or whole people, also in the singular, gawaya or gowy usually refers to the 'nation' of Israel, and in the plural it is specially used of the (other) nations besides Israel, both singular and plural forms of the word are at times used to describe Israel. For instance it was said to Jacob; 'A nation (gowy) and a company of nations (gawayam ) shall be from thee,' (Gen.35:11).
Greek word for Nations is Ethos:
The N.T Greek word used to describe a nation is ethnos which means - "nation" is not applicable to an individual. A person cannot be addressed as a "nation." The idea that a person can be called a "gentile" - stems from incorrect translation of the original word.
Where does the word Gentile come from:
The English word - Gentile - has its origin from the Latin gentelisis and the French gentil, both derived from the root stem gens, a Latin word meaning - "A Selected Clan or Race of the same stock," in a collective sense.
If biblical translators and theologians used the word - "nation" - in every translation, the context would reveal whether ethnos was applicable to the nations of Israel or nations of non-Israel race.
Church leaders and theologians erroneously read scriptures from the Pauline Epistles as addressed to alien peoples of non-Israel race - termed "Gentiles."
By doing this Church leaders and theologians introduce many false doctrines so full of contradictions and lies that they subvert what was taught by CHRIST himself and the message the Apostles were commanded by HIM to expound to the lost sheep of Israel and not alien "Gentiles" (Matthew 10:5-6).
To further prove that the word gentile used both in the singular and plural forms of the word are at times used to describe the "LOST" Israelite people spread all over the world and living in different nations following different customs. The scripture in Acts 21-18-21 is a good example, it clearly shows who Paul taught and who accepted Paul's teachings.
King James Acts 21-18-21
18 And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.
19 And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.
20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:
21 And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.
Lets look at the scripture in Acts 21-18-21 in this context it clearly shows that the word Gentile only refers to the scattered Israelite nation living among non Hebrew people.
These are the Gentiles that Paul has always addressed in his Epistles. Paul did not address other non-Israelite nations.
