Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  7000 God's people  »  7500 Jews and Gentiles  »  7510 Gentiles  »  7511 Gentiles, in OT

Under the OT, Gentiles were generally excluded from the worship of the synagogue and from all the privileges of being Jewish. However, the OT made provision for non-Jews who believed in the God of Israel.

Believing foreigners were permitted to participate in worship

Exodus 12:48-49 See also Numbers 9:14; Numbers 15:13-16; 1 Kings 8:41-43; Isaiah 56:6-8

Foreigners living in Israel were to be treated kindly

Exodus 23:9 See also Exodus 22:21; Leviticus 19:9-10; Leviticus 24:22; Deuteronomy 26:12-15; Deuteronomy 27:19

Divine promises concerning the Gentiles

All people will be blessed through Abraham

Genesis 12:3 See also Genesis 18:18; Genesis 22:18; Galatians 3:8-9

All nations will bow before God

Psalm 22:27-28 See also Psalm 86:9; Daniel 7:14; Amos 9:11-12

The Gentiles will be enlightened

Isaiah 49:6 See also Isaiah 9:1-2; Isaiah 42:6; Isaiah 60:1-3; Luke 2:30-32

The Messiah will bring justice to the Gentiles

Matthew 12:18-21 See also Isaiah 42:1-4

Gentiles will become God's people

Romans 9:22-25 See also Hosea 2:23; 1 Peter 2:10

Gentiles will praise God

Romans 15:9-12 See also Deuteronomy 32:43; 2 Samuel 22:50; Psalm 18:49; Isaiah 11:10

See also

2230  Messiah, coming of
2375  kingdom of God
5075  Abraham
5359  justice
7141  people of God, OT
7340  clean and unclean
7505  Jews, the
7530  foreigners
7545  outsiders
7754  preaching
8020  faith