Jump to: ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia In the context of the Bible, the term "alien" typically refers to a foreigner or stranger residing in a land that is not their own. The Hebrew word often translated as "alien" is "ger," while the Greek equivalent in the New Testament is "xenos." These terms are used to describe individuals who live among the Israelites but are not native-born members of the community.Old Testament References The concept of the alien is significant in the Old Testament, where God provides specific instructions on how the Israelites are to treat foreigners living among them. In Exodus 22:21 , God commands, "You must not exploit or oppress a foreign resident, for you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt." This directive is rooted in the Israelites' own experience as aliens in Egypt, emphasizing empathy and justice. Leviticus 19:33-34 further elaborates on this principle: "When a foreigner resides with you in your land, you must not oppress him. You must treat the foreigner living among you as native-born and love him as yourself, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God." This passage underscores the call to love and equitable treatment, reflecting God's character and covenant with His people. The alien's rights and responsibilities are also addressed in the Mosaic Law. For instance, aliens were allowed to participate in certain religious observances, such as the Passover, provided they adhered to specific requirements (Exodus 12:48-49). They were also entitled to glean from the fields during harvest, as seen in Leviticus 23:22 : "When you reap the harvest of your land, you are not to reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner residing among you. I am the LORD your God." New Testament References In the New Testament, the concept of the alien is expanded to include spiritual dimensions. The Apostle Paul, in Ephesians 2:19 , writes, "Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household." Here, Paul speaks to Gentile believers, emphasizing their inclusion in the spiritual family of God through Christ. The theme of hospitality towards strangers is also prominent in the New Testament. Hebrews 13:2 exhorts believers, "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it." This call to hospitality reflects the broader biblical principle of love and care for those who are not part of one's immediate community. Theological Implications The treatment of aliens in the Bible reflects God's justice, mercy, and inclusivity. It serves as a reminder of the Israelites' own history and God's deliverance, encouraging them to extend the same grace to others. The biblical narrative consistently calls for the fair and compassionate treatment of aliens, recognizing their dignity and worth as individuals created in the image of God. In a broader theological sense, the Bible's teachings on aliens can be seen as a metaphor for the spiritual journey of believers. Christians are often described as "aliens and strangers" in the world (1 Peter 2:11), highlighting their temporary residence on earth and their ultimate citizenship in heaven. This perspective encourages believers to live with a sense of purpose and mission, reflecting God's love and justice in their interactions with others. Easton's Bible Dictionary A foreigner, or person born in another country, and therefore not entitled to the rights and privileges of the country where he resides. Among the Hebrews there were two classes of aliens.(1.) Those who were strangers generally, and who owned no landed property. (2.) Strangers dwelling in another country without being naturalized (Leviticus 22:10; Psalm 39:12). Both of these classes were to enjoy, under certain conditions, the same rights as other citizens (Leviticus 19:33, 34; Deuteronomy 10:19). They might be naturalized and permitted to enter into the congregation of the Lord by submitting to circumcision and abandoning idolatry (Deuteronomy 23:3-8). This term is used (Ephesians 2:12) to denote persons who have no interest in Christ. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (a.) Not belonging to the same country, land, or government, or to the citizens or subjects thereof; foreign; as, alien subjects, enemies, property, shores.2. (a.) Wholly different in nature; foreign; adverse; inconsistent (with); incongruous; -- followed by from or sometimes by to; as, principles alien from our religion. 3. (n.) A foreigner; one owing allegiance, or belonging, to another country; a foreign-born resident of a country in which he does not possess the privileges of a citizen. Hence, a stranger. See Alienage. 4. (n.) One excluded from certain privileges; one alienated or estranged; as, aliens from God's mercies. 5. (v. t.) To alienate; to estrange; to transfer, as property or ownership. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia ALIENal'-yen: Found in the King James Version for ger, (Exodus 18:3) = "guest," hence: "foreigner," "sojourner" the Revised Version (British and American); also for nekhar (Isaiah 61:5) = "foreign," "a foreigner" the Revised Version (British and American) (concrete), "heathendom" (abstract), "alien," "strange" (-er), and for nokhri (Deuteronomy 14:21 the Revised Version (British and American) "foreigner"; compare Job 19:15 Psalm 69:8 Lamentations 5:2)-"strange," in a variety of degrees and meanings: "foreign," "non-relative," "adulterous," "different," "wonderful," "alien," "outlandish," "strange." In the New Testament we find apellotriomenos (Ephesians 4:18 Colossians 1:21) = "being alienated," and allotrios (Hebrews 11:34) = "another's," "not one's own," hence: "foreign," "not akin," "hostile." In the Old Testament the expression was taken in its literal sense, referring to those who were not Israelites-the heathen; in the New Testament it is given a figurative meaning, as indicating those who have not become naturalized in the kingdom of God, hence are outside of Christ and the blessing of the gospel. Greek 244. allotriepiskopos -- one who meddles in things alien to his ... ... one who meddles in things alien to his calling. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: allotriepiskopos Phonetic Spelling: (al-lot-ree-ep-is'-kop-os ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/244.htm - 6k 3941. paroikos -- dwelling near, foreign 245. allotrios -- belonging to another 3581. xenos -- foreign, a foreigner, guest 3927. parepidemos -- sojourning in a strange place 246. allophulos -- of another race 526. apallotrioo -- to alienate, estrange 3112. makran -- a long way, far 3939. paroikeo -- to dwell near, ie reside as a foreigner 3084. lutroo -- to release by paying a ransom, to redeem Strong's Hebrew 5237. nokri -- foreign, alien... nokri. 5238 . foreign, alien. Transliteration: nokri Phonetic Spelling: (nok-ree') Short Definition: foreign. ... alien, foreigner, outlandish, stranger, woman. ... /hebrew/5237.htm - 6k 1616. ger -- a sojourner 5236. nekar -- that which is foreign, foreignness 5235a. nakar -- to act or treat as foreign or strange, to disguise 2114a. zur -- to be a stranger 1481a. gur -- to sojourn 8453. toshab -- a sojourner Library Most Hostile and Alien to the Apostolic Confession are those who ... Manes Said: Let it First be Allowed on Your Side that There is an ... God's Attribute of Goodness Considered as Rational Marcion's God ... Whether the Son is Other than the Father? Ninth Tractate. Against those that Affirm the Creator of the ... And as for that Saying of the Apostle... The Truly Incarnate State More Worthy of God than Marcion's ... On the Faith. A Passage of St. ... The Apocalypse of Sedrach. Thesaurus Alien (102 Occurrences)... 1. (a.) Not belonging to the same country, land, or government, or to the citizens or subjects thereof; foreign; as, alien subjects, enemies, property, shores. ... /a/alien.htm - 39k Alien's (1 Occurrence) Sojourner (81 Occurrences) Oppress (57 Occurrences) Malefactor (2 Occurrences) Aliens (53 Occurrences) Wailingplace Wailing-place Crimes (22 Occurrences) Crime (45 Occurrences) Resources Could an alien deception be part of the end times? | GotQuestions.orgHow would the discovery of alien life impact the Christian faith? | GotQuestions.org If aliens were proved to exist, how would that discovery impact the Christian faith? | GotQuestions.org Alien: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Alien (102 Occurrences)Luke 17:18 Acts 7:29 Hebrews 11:9 Genesis 17:8 Genesis 19:9 Genesis 21:23 Genesis 28:4 Exodus 2:22 Exodus 12:19 Exodus 12:43 Exodus 12:49 Exodus 18:3 Exodus 20:10 Exodus 22:21 Exodus 23:9 Exodus 23:12 Leviticus 16:29 Leviticus 17:8 Leviticus 17:10 Leviticus 17:12 Leviticus 17:13 Leviticus 17:15 Leviticus 18:26 Leviticus 19:10 Leviticus 19:33 Leviticus 20:2 Leviticus 22:18 Leviticus 23:22 Leviticus 24:16 Leviticus 24:22 Leviticus 25:35 Leviticus 25:47 Numbers 9:14 Numbers 15:14 Numbers 15:15 Numbers 15:16 Numbers 15:26 Numbers 15:29 Numbers 15:30 Numbers 19:10 Numbers 35:15 Deuteronomy 1:16 Deuteronomy 5:14 Deuteronomy 10:18 Deuteronomy 10:19 Deuteronomy 14:21 Deuteronomy 14:29 Deuteronomy 23:7 Deuteronomy 24:14 Deuteronomy 24:17 Deuteronomy 24:19 Deuteronomy 24:20 Deuteronomy 24:21 Deuteronomy 26:11 Deuteronomy 26:12 Deuteronomy 26:13 Deuteronomy 27:19 Deuteronomy 28:43 Deuteronomy 29:11 Deuteronomy 31:12 Joshua 20:9 Judges 19:12 2 Samuel 1:13 Nehemiah 13:3 Job 15:19 Job 19:15 Job 31:32 Psalms 39:12 Psalms 69:8 Psalms 81:9 Psalms 94:6 Psalms 105:23 Psalms 146:9 Proverbs 2:16 Proverbs 5:10 Proverbs 5:20 Proverbs 6:24 Proverbs 7:5 Proverbs 20:16 Proverbs 23:27 Proverbs 27:13 Ecclesiastes 6:2 Isaiah 17:10 Isaiah 28:11 Isaiah 28:21 Isaiah 56:3 Isaiah 56:6 Isaiah 60:10 Isaiah 61:5 Isaiah 62:8 Jeremiah 7:6 Jeremiah 19:4 Jeremiah 22:3 Ezekiel 14:7 Ezekiel 22:7 Ezekiel 22:29 Ezekiel 31:12 Ezekiel 44:9 Ezekiel 47:23 Hosea 8:12 Subtopics Related Terms |