In the context of the Bible, the concept of nationality is closely tied to the idea of nations, tribes, and peoples. The Scriptures often refer to various groups by their national or ethnic identities, which play a significant role in the unfolding of biblical history and theology.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament frequently mentions nations and their origins, often tracing them back to the descendants of Noah's sons after the flood. Genesis 10, known as the Table of Nations, outlines the genealogies of Noah's sons—Shem, Ham, and Japheth—and the nations that emerged from them. Genesis 10:32 states, "These are the clans of Noah’s sons, according to their lines of descent, within their nations. From these the nations spread out over the earth after the flood."

The concept of nationality is further developed in the covenantal promises made to Abraham. God promises Abraham that he will be the father of many nations. Genesis 17:4 records God's words: "As for Me, this is My covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations." This promise is foundational for understanding the development of Israel as a nation and its unique role in God's redemptive plan.

Israel's identity as a nation is central to the Old Testament narrative. The Israelites are often distinguished from other nations by their covenant relationship with God, as seen in Deuteronomy 7:6 : "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."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of nationality takes on a new dimension with the coming of Christ and the expansion of the Gospel to all nations. The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19 commands, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." This directive underscores the universality of the Gospel message and the breaking down of national and ethnic barriers in Christ.

The Apostle Paul addresses the issue of nationality in his letters, emphasizing the unity of believers in Christ regardless of their ethnic backgrounds. Galatians 3:28 declares, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." This verse highlights the spiritual equality and unity of all believers, transcending national and ethnic distinctions.

Theological Implications

Theologically, the Bible presents a vision of God's sovereignty over all nations and His desire for all peoples to know Him. The prophetic literature often speaks of a future where nations will come to worship the God of Israel. Isaiah 2:2 prophesies, "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 nations will stream to it."

The Book of Revelation culminates in a vision of a redeemed humanity from every nation, tribe, people, and language worshiping before the throne of God. Revelation 7:9 describes this scene: "After this I looked and saw a multitude too large to count, from every nation and tribe and people and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb."

Conclusion

While the Bible acknowledges the existence and significance of national identities, it ultimately points to a future where these distinctions are transcended in the unity of God's kingdom. The biblical narrative moves from the particularity of Israel to the universality of the Gospel, inviting all nations to participate in the redemptive work of Christ.1. (n.) The quality of being national, or strongly attached to one's own nation; patriotism.

2. (n.) The sum of the qualities which distinguish a nation; national character.

3. (n.) A race or people, as determined by common language and character, and not by political bias or divisions; a nation.

4. (n.) Existence as a distinct or individual nation; national unity and integrity.

5. (n.) The state or quality of belonging to or being connected with a nation or government by nativity, character, ownership, allegiance, etc.

Celts and Celtophiles
... If you had attempted to substitute the ideal of race for the ideal of nationality,
I really do not like to think what they would have said. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/heretics/xiii celts and celtophiles.htm

The Life of Cassian.
... In spite, however, of the precision of this statement, considerable doubt hangs
over Cassian's nationality, and it is hard to believe that he was in reality a ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter i the life of.htm

The New Covenant.
... We have already been told that there was on earth no room for the priesthood of
Christ.[152] Similarly, in the sphere of earthly nationality, there was no room ...
/.../chapter viii the new covenant.htm

The Riot at Philippi
... The charge against the little group took no heed of the real character of
their message. It artfully put prominent their nationality. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/the riot at philippi.htm

The Christian Church a Family.
... And the nation which refuses to merge its nationality in Humanity, to lose itself
in the general interests of mankind, is left behind, and loses almost its ...
/.../robertson/sermons preached at brighton/xv the christian church a.htm

Practical Observations.
... Abbas in preference to their Messiah, and for them there has been no Messiah more,
while a murderer's dagger swayed the last counsels of their dying nationality ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/practical observations 35.htm

The Lutheran and Reformed Confessions.
... Their differences in theology, government, worship, and mode of piety are rooted
in diversities of nationality, psychological constitution, education, external ...
/.../ 39 the lutheran and.htm

Neighbours Far Off
... The wounded man was probably a Jew, but it is significant that his nationality
is not mentioned. He is 'a certain man,' that is all. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/neighbours far off.htm

The Antichrist Will be a Jew
... House of Israel. 5. In John 5:43 we have a further word which helps us
to fix the nationality of this coming One. In speaking of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/i the antichrist will be.htm

The Fulfilled Prophecies of the Bible Bespeak the Omniscience of ...
... Not only was our Lord's nationality defined hundreds of years before His
incarnation, but the very place of His birth was also given. ...
/.../the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter five the fulfilled prophecies.htm

Nationality (5 Occurrences)
... nativity, character, ownership, allegiance, etc. Multi-Version Concordance
Nationality (5 Occurrences). Esther 2:10 Esther had not ...
/n/nationality.htm - 8k

Tarsus (5 Occurrences)
... It is probable that his forefathers had been among the Jews settled at Tarsus by
Antiochus Epiphanes, who, without sacrificing nationality or religion, became ...
/t/tarsus.htm - 30k

Ham (16 Occurrences)
... 2. Ham as a Nationality: The name given, in Psalm 105:23, 17; Psalm 106:22
(compare 78:51), to Egypt as a descendant of Ham, son of Noah. ...
/h/ham.htm - 17k

Keturah (4 Occurrences)
... into the east country. Her nationality is unknown. She is styled "Abraham's
concubine" (1 Chronicles 1:32). Through the offshoots ...
/k/keturah.htm - 9k

Neighbor (123 Occurrences)
... of my people." Here, and generally in the Old Testament, the term implies more than
mere proximity; it means one related by the bond of nationality, a fellow ...
/n/neighbor.htm - 41k

Nationalities (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Plural of Nationality. Multi-Version Concordance
Nationalities (2 Occurrences). Esther 8:17 In every ...
/n/nationalities.htm - 7k

Jew (34 Occurrences)
... There are three names used in the New Testament to designate this people,. (1.)
Jews, as regards their nationality, to distinguish them from Gentiles. ...
/j/jew.htm - 22k

Lud (10 Occurrences)
... about 2000 BC, who used the Babylonian script, may be regarded as supporting this
statement, and that there were other colonies of the same nationality in the ...
/l/lud.htm - 13k

Ludim (3 Occurrences)
... about 2000 BC, who used the Babylonian script, may be regarded as supporting this
statement, and that there were other colonies of the same nationality in the ...
/l/ludim.htm - 11k

Lydia (5 Occurrences)
... has always been and is still a common custom in the Orient to refer to one living
in a foreign land by employing the adjective which designates the nationality...
/l/lydia.htm - 12k

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Nationality: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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