Topical Encyclopedia In the context of the Bible, the term "foreign" often refers to anything or anyone that is outside the covenant community of Israel. This includes foreign lands, peoples, gods, and practices. The concept of foreignness is significant in understanding the relationship between Israel and the surrounding nations, as well as the broader theological themes of inclusion and separation.Foreign Lands and Peoples The Bible frequently mentions foreign lands and peoples, often in the context of Israel's interactions with them. For example, Egypt, Babylon, Assyria, and Canaan are all considered foreign lands. These nations often played significant roles in the history of Israel, sometimes as oppressors and other times as places of refuge. In Genesis 12:1, God calls Abram to leave his country and go to a land that He will show him, marking the beginning of Israel's distinct identity: "Then the LORD said to Abram, 'Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you.'" Foreign Gods and Idolatry The worship of foreign gods is a recurring issue in the Old Testament. The Israelites were repeatedly warned against adopting the religious practices of the surrounding nations. In Deuteronomy 6:14, the Israelites are commanded, "Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you." The worship of foreign gods often led to idolatry, which was a major reason for the prophetic calls to repentance and the eventual exile of Israel and Judah. Foreigners in Israel The treatment of foreigners within Israel is addressed in various laws and narratives. The Mosaic Law includes specific instructions on how to treat foreigners, emphasizing justice and compassion. Leviticus 19:34 states, "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 reflects the broader biblical theme of hospitality and the recognition of Israel's own history as foreigners in Egypt. Foreign Influence and Syncretism The influence of foreign cultures and religions often led to syncretism, where elements of foreign worship were blended with the worship of Yahweh. This is seen in the accounts of kings like Solomon, who, despite his wisdom, allowed foreign wives to lead him into idolatry (1 Kings 11:1-8). The prophets frequently condemned such practices, calling the people back to exclusive worship of the LORD. New Testament Perspective In the New Testament, the concept of foreignness takes on a new dimension with the inclusion of Gentiles into the early Christian community. The Apostle Paul, in particular, emphasizes that in Christ, the barriers between Jews and Gentiles are broken down. Ephesians 2:19 states, "Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household." This reflects the fulfillment of God's promise to bless all nations through Abraham's seed. Conclusion The biblical concept of "foreign" encompasses a range of meanings, from literal foreign lands and peoples to the spiritual dangers of foreign gods and practices. Throughout the Scriptures, there is a tension between the call to be a distinct people and the mission to be a light to the nations. This tension is ultimately resolved in the New Testament through the work of Christ, who unites all believers into one body, transcending ethnic and cultural boundaries. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (a.) Outside; extraneous; separated; alien; as, a foreign country; a foreign government.2. (a.) Not native or belonging to a certain country; born in or belonging to another country, nation, sovereignty, or locality; as, a foreign language; foreign fruits. 3. (a.) Remote; distant; strange; not belonging; not connected; not pertaining or pertinent; not appropriate; not harmonious; not agreeable; not congenial; -- with to or from; as, foreign to the purpose; foreign to one's nature. 4. (a.) Held at a distance; excluded; exiled. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia FOREIGN DIVINITIESfor'-in di-vin'-i-tiz (Acts 17:18 margin). Greek 3581. xenos -- foreign, a foreigner, guest ... foreign, a foreigner, guest. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: xenos Phonetic Spelling: (xen'-os) Short Definition: new, novel, a foreigner Definition ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3581.htm - 6k 3098. Magog -- Magog, a foreign nation 3941. paroikos -- dwelling near, foreign 1289. diaspeiro -- to sow throughout, ie fig. disperse (in foreign ... 1482. ethnikos -- national, foreign, ie spec. a Gentile 245. allotrios -- belonging to another 246. allophulos -- of another race 3959. Patara -- Patara, a city of Lycia 1927. epidemeo -- to be at home 2582. Kandake -- Candace, a queen of Ethiopia Strong's Hebrew 5237. nokri -- foreign, alien... 5236, 5237. nokri. 5238 . foreign, alien. Transliteration: nokri Phonetic Spelling: (nok-ree') Short Definition: foreign. Word Origin ... /hebrew/5237.htm - 6k 5236. nekar -- that which is foreign, foreignness 5522. Sikkuth -- a foreign god 5235a. nakar -- to act or treat as foreign or strange, to disguise 7220b. Rosh -- a foreign nation 8095. Shimon -- a son of Jacob, also his tribe, also an Israelite ... 7422. Ramyah -- "Yah has loosened," an Israelite with a foreign ... 8298. Sharay -- an Israelite with a foreign wife 8343. Shashay -- an Israelite with a foreign wife 3774. Kerethi -- the foreign bodyguard of King David Library Foreign Exchange. Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions. American Board of Foreign Missions. Afar Upon a Foreign Shore American Baptist Board of Foreign Missions. The Foreign Missions and their Influence. The Birth of England's Foreign Missions The Problem of Foreign Missions Paul and Barnabas in Foreign Lands How Ten Men of the Citizens [Of Jerusalem] Made a Conspiracy ... Thesaurus Foreign (65 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Outside; extraneous; separated; alien; as, a foreign country; a foreign government. 2. (a.) Not ... /f/foreign.htm - 27k Outlandish (1 Occurrence) Omri (16 Occurrences) Ahab (85 Occurrences) Alliance (12 Occurrences) Unfaithfully (19 Occurrences) Gershom (16 Occurrences) Merchant (15 Occurrences) Barbarous (1 Occurrence) Strange (234 Occurrences) Resources Why did the Israelites have to abandon their foreign wives and children? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about xenophobia? | GotQuestions.org What is the National Baptist Convention of America? | GotQuestions.org Foreign: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Foreign (65 Occurrences)Acts 2:4 Acts 7:6 Acts 7:18 Acts 17:18 Acts 26:11 1 Corinthians 14:11 Hebrews 11:9 Hebrews 11:34 Genesis 35:2 Genesis 35:4 Exodus 2:22 Exodus 18:3 Exodus 21:8 Leviticus 25:6 Deuteronomy 31:16 Deuteronomy 32:12 Deuteronomy 32:16 Joshua 24:20 Joshua 24:23 Judges 10:16 1 Samuel 7:3 1 Kings 11:1 1 Kings 11:8 2 Kings 19:24 2 Chronicles 14:3 2 Chronicles 33:15 Ezra 9:7 Ezra 10:2 Ezra 10:10 Ezra 10:11 Ezra 10:14 Ezra 10:17 Ezra 10:18 Ezra 10:44 Nehemiah 13:3 Nehemiah 13:26 Nehemiah 13:27 Nehemiah 13:30 Psalms 44:20 Psalms 81:9 Psalms 114:1 Psalms 137:4 Proverbs 23:27 Proverbs 27:13 Isaiah 17:10 Isaiah 28:11 Isaiah 37:25 Isaiah 43:12 Jeremiah 2:21 Jeremiah 2:25 Jeremiah 3:13 Jeremiah 5:19 Jeremiah 8:19 Jeremiah 18:14 Jeremiah 19:4 Jeremiah 25:20 Jeremiah 25:24 Jeremiah 50:37 Ezekiel 3:5 Ezekiel 3:6 Ezekiel 31:12 Daniel 11:39 Zephaniah 1:8 Haggai 2:22 Malachi 2:11 Subtopics Related Terms |