Definition and Etymology:
The term "Goyim" is derived from the Hebrew word "גּוֹיִם" (goyim), which is the plural form of "goy," meaning "nation" or "people." In the Hebrew Bible, "goyim" is often used to refer to the nations or peoples other than Israel, commonly translated as "Gentiles" in English. The term can also refer to a specific group of nations or peoples in certain contexts.

Biblical References and Contexts:

1. General Use for Nations:
The term "goyim" is frequently used in the Old Testament to denote nations in general, particularly those outside of the covenant community of Israel. For example, in Genesis 10:5, the descendants of Noah's sons are described as forming the "nations" (goyim) of the earth: "From these, the maritime peoples separated into their territories, according to their languages, by clans within their nations."

2. Specific Reference to a Coalition of Kings:
In Genesis 14:1, "Goyim" is used as a proper noun to refer to a coalition of kings: "In those days Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Kedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goyim." Here, "Goyim" is understood to be a specific region or confederation of peoples allied with these kings.

3. Prophetic and Eschatological Usage:
The prophets often use "goyim" to refer to the nations in the context of God's judgment or future plans. For instance, Isaiah 2:2 speaks of a time when "all the nations" (goyim) will stream to the mountain of the Lord: "In the last days the mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all the nations will stream to it."

4. Distinction from Israel:
Throughout the Old Testament, "goyim" is used to distinguish the people of Israel from other nations. This distinction underscores Israel's unique covenant relationship with God. In Deuteronomy 7:6, Israel is described as a "holy people" set apart from the "nations": "For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession, above all the peoples on the face of the earth."

5. New Testament Perspective:
In the New Testament, the Greek equivalent of "goyim" is "ethne," often translated as "Gentiles." The Apostle Paul frequently addresses the inclusion of the Gentiles in the promises of God through faith in Jesus Christ. In Romans 11:11, Paul speaks of salvation coming to the Gentiles to make Israel envious: "Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Certainly not! However, because of their trespass, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious."

Theological Significance:

The use of "goyim" in the Bible highlights the universal scope of God's plan for humanity. While Israel is chosen as God's covenant people, the ultimate purpose is to bless all nations through them, as promised to Abraham in Genesis 12:3: "I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you." This theme is fulfilled in the New Testament with the inclusion of the Gentiles into the body of Christ, emphasizing the unity and diversity of God's people.GOYIM

goi'-yim.

See GOIIM.

1472b. Goyim -- a kingdom N.East of Bab., probably also a place in ...
... 1472a, 1472b. Goyim. 1473 . a kingdom N.East of Bab., probably also a place
in Gilgal. Transliteration: Goyim Short Definition: Goiim. ... Goyim. 1473 . ...
/hebrew/1472b.htm - 5k

Chapter xiv
... 1. And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel, king of Shinar, and Arioch, king
of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer, king of Elam, and Tidal, king of Goyim. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xiv.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... for some time been under the Amorite yoke, and the sacred writings represent them
at this juncture as oppressed either by Sisera of Harosheth-ha-Goyim or by a ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Goyim (7 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia GOYIM. goi'-yim. See GOIIM. Multi-Version
Concordance Goyim (7 Occurrences). Genesis 14:1 And ...
/g/goyim.htm - 8k

Tidal (2 Occurrences)
... with his allies, Amraphel of Shinar (Babylonia), Arioch of Ellasar, and Tidal, who
is called "king of nations" (the King James Version) (goyim, Targum `ammin). ...
/t/tidal.htm - 11k

Gentiles (150 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (Hebrews, usually in plural, goyim), meaning
in general all nations except the Jews. In course of time ...
/g/gentiles.htm - 45k

Gozan (5 Occurrences)

/g/gozan.htm - 10k

Heathen (145 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (Hebrews plural goyum). At first the word goyim denoted
generally all the nations of the world (Genesis 18:18; Comp. ...
/h/heathen.htm - 38k

Goiim (3 Occurrences)
... GOIIM. goi'-yim (goyim): This word, rendered in the King James Version "nations,"
"heathen," "Gentiles," is commonly translated simply "nations" in the Revised ...
/g/goiim.htm - 7k

Gown (1 Occurrence)

/g/gown.htm - 7k

Elevation (7 Occurrences)
... elevation, (DBY). Joshua 12:23 The king of Dor, at the elevation of Dor,
one; The king of the Goyim of Gilgal, one; (YLT). 1 Kings ...
/e/elevation.htm - 9k

Perisheth (15 Occurrences)
... Numbers 24:20 And he seeth Amalek, and taketh up his simile, and saith: 'A beginning
of the Goyim 'is' Amalek; And his latter end -- for ever he perisheth ...
/p/perisheth.htm - 10k

Selleth (17 Occurrences)
... them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, who hath reigned in Hazor, and the head
of his host 'is' Sisera, and he is dwelling in Harosheth of the Goyim; (YLT ...
/s/selleth.htm - 11k

What is a heathen? | GotQuestions.org

What is a Gentile? | GotQuestions.org

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