Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  7000 God's people  »  7500 Jews and Gentiles  »  7545 outsiders

Israel recognised two general categories of outsiders: those who lived outside Israel, usually referred to as “the nations” or “the Gentiles”, and foreigners resident within Israel's boundaries. The latter, usually referred to as “aliens”, were given considerable privileges under the covenant between God and Israel.

Israel's attitude to the Gentiles as outsiders

The nations as outsiders

Leviticus 20:26; Nehemiah 1:8; Psalm 2:1; Psalm 46:10; Psalm 106:35; Hosea 7:8; Joel 2:17

The conversion of the Gentiles foretold

Isaiah 60:3 See also Genesis 22:18; Psalm 22:27; Isaiah 9:2; Hosea 2:23

Israel's mission to the Gentiles was fulfilled in Jesus Christ

Acts 13:47 See also Isaiah 49:6; Luke 2:32; Acts 28:28; Romans 11:11; Ephesians 3:6

Jesus Christ calls both Jew and Gentile

John 10:16 See also Acts 13:47-48; Romans 9:24-26; 1 Corinthians 1:24; 2 Timothy 4:17

Israel's attitude to aliens as outsiders

Aliens are to be treated as members of the people of God

Exodus 23:9 See also Deuteronomy 29:9-15; Deuteronomy 31:12; Joshua 8:33-35

Aliens are protected by God

Psalm 146:9

Aliens must not be oppressed

Jeremiah 22:3 See also Jeremiah 7:2-7; Ezekiel 22:29; Zechariah 7:9-10

Aliens may share in Israel's worship

Exodus 12:17-20,43-49; Leviticus 22:17-19; Deuteronomy 16:13-15

The Samaritans as outsiders in Israel in NT times

John 4:9 By including Samaritans in his ministry, Jesus Christ demonstrated his concern for those who were treated as outsiders by society. See also Luke 10:33; Luke 17:16; John 4:7

Christians are compared to aliens in the world

1 Peter 2:11

The witness of believers to outsiders

Colossians 4:5 See also Mark 4:11; 1 Corinthians 5:12-13; 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12; 1 Timothy 3:7

See also

5540  society
5711  marriage, restrictions
6109  alienation
7510  Gentiles
7525  exclusiveness
7530  foreigners
7560  Samaritans, the