Biblical Law and Government

Lesson Seven - Page 2

What If The Hebrew Word “Goy” Were Translated “Non-Jew?”

Now let’s look at the same verses with “non-Jew” in place of the original Hebrew word “goy.”

(A) “I will make of thee (Abraham) a great non-Jew.” (Genesis 12:2)

(B) “. . . and thou (Abraham) shall be the father of many non-Jews. Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be called Abraham; for a father of many non-Jews have I made thee.” (Genesis 17:4-5)

(C) “Two non-Jews are in thy (Rebekah’s) womb.” (Genesis 35:11) (D) “Thy seed (Abraham’s descendants) shall become a multitude of non-Jews.” (Genesis 48:19)

(2) It should be clear by now that the Hebrew word “goy” often translated into the English word “gentile” in the Old Testament simply does not mean;

( ) a. Nation.

( ) c. Gentile.

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

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

Notice that the Hebrew word “goy” and the five words used to translate it into English such as “nation” a people, “heathens, etc. are collective nouns and can not be properly translated to mean an individual per son. Goy always refers to a group. There is no such individual person as “a gentile.” You could correctly refer to a group or nation as Gentiles.

(3) Therefore, which is correct?

( ) a. He is a gentile.

( ) b. They are gentiles.

SUMMARY: The Hebrew word translated “gentiles” in the Old Testament means “a nation” or “a peo ple.” “Gentile” does not mean “non-Jew.”

The Two Greek Words Translated “Gentile” In The New Testament

In the New Testament there are two Greek words translated “gentile.” They are “ethnos” and “hellen.” The definition of the Greek word “ethnos” in the dictionary of Strong’s Concordance is;

#1484 ETHNOS,

A race, i.e., a tribe, specifically, a non-Judean tribe, by implication pagan. It is trans

lated gentile, heathen, nation or people.

In the New Testament the Greek word “ethnos” occurs 164 times. It is translated as follows;

Gentiles..... 93 times. Heathen..... 5 times.

Nation(s)... .64 times.

People...... 2 times.

#1484 ETHNOS,

A race, i.e., a tribe, specifically, a non-Judean tribe, by implication pagan. It is trans

lated gentile, heathen, nation or people.

(4) Look carefully at the definition of the word “ethnos” and how it is translated into four English words. It is very important that you notice two things;

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