Biblical Law and Government

Lesson Seven - Page 1

Moses discusses several topics in the Book of Deuteronomy that can not be properly understood with out a correct and accurate knowledge of several words. A major KEY to Bible understanding has to do with the word “Gentile.” It is generally believed that the world is divided into Jews and Gentiles. A Gentile being anyone who is not a Jew. That is the definition found in the dictionary and most pulpits. However, in the Old Testament the word “gentile” comes from ONE word that is translated FIVE different ways. In Strong’s Concordance that one word is; The Ten Commandments Bible Law Course A Study Unto The Meaning Of The Word “Gentile” As Used In The Bible

#1471 GOY (singular) and GOYIM (plural), a foreign nation;

hence “gentile”. The word is translated (1) gentile, (2) heathen, (3) nation, (4) people and (5) another.

The word “goy” is found in The Old Testament 557 times. It is translated as follows:

Nation...... 373 times. Gentile..... .30 times. Another..... 1 time. Heathen....142 times. People.......11 times. Non-Jew...... 0 times.

(1) Look at the definition above. Notice that, in the Old Testament the Hebrew word “goy” often translated “gentile” does not mean; (Only one correct answer.)

( ) a. Nation.

( ) c. Gentile.

( ) e. Another. ( ) f. Non-Jew.

( ) b. Heathen. ( ) d. People.

What If “Goy” Were Translated “Nations” Instead Of ‘Gentiles?”

Let’s examine a few specific verses. To illustrate the point we wish to make we will write the verses with the English word “gentile” in place of the translator’s choice for Hebrew word “goy.”

(A) Speaking to Abraham in Genesis 12:2, “I will make of thee a great gentile.” Genesis 12:2.

(B) Speaking to Abraham in Genesis 17:4-5, “. . . and thou shall be the father of many gentiles. Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many gentiles have I made thee.” (C) Speaking to Rebekah the wife of Isaac the son of Abraham in Genesis 25:23, “And the Lord said unto her, two gentiles are in your womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bow els; the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.”

(D) Speaking about Abraham in Genesis 48:49, “. . . and his seed shall become a multitude ofgentiles.”

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Ten Commandments Bible Law Course Sovereignty Education and Defense Ministry (SEDM), http://sedm.org