In the biblical context, the term "strangers" often refers to foreigners or non-Israelites living among the Israelites. The treatment of strangers is a recurring theme in the Scriptures, and the Bible provides clear instructions regarding the attitude and behavior towards them. While there are instances where the Israelites are cautioned against adopting the practices of foreign nations, the abhorrence of strangers themselves is explicitly forbidden.

Old Testament Instructions

The Old Testament contains numerous directives concerning the treatment of strangers. The Israelites are reminded of their own history as strangers in Egypt, which serves as a basis for their conduct towards foreigners. In Leviticus 19:33-34 , the Lord commands, "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 command underscores the principle of empathy and justice, urging the Israelites to extend love and fair treatment to strangers, reflecting God's character and their own experience of deliverance.

Prohibition of Abhorrence

The abhorrence or mistreatment of strangers is explicitly forbidden in the Scriptures. Deuteronomy 10:18-19 states, "He executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and He loves the foreigner, giving him food and clothing. So you also must love the foreigner, since you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt." This passage highlights God's love and provision for the foreigner, setting a divine example for the Israelites to follow.

Furthermore, the Mosaic Law includes specific protections for strangers, ensuring their rights and well-being. Exodus 22:21 warns, "You must not exploit or oppress a foreign resident, for you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt." This legal framework emphasizes the importance of justice and compassion, prohibiting any form of exploitation or oppression.

New Testament Perspective

The New Testament continues the theme of welcoming and loving strangers, expanding it to include all believers as part of the body of Christ. In Matthew 25:35 , Jesus teaches, "For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in." This passage illustrates the importance of hospitality and care for strangers as a reflection of one's faith and service to Christ.

The apostle Paul also addresses the treatment of strangers in his epistles. In Hebrews 13:2 , he exhorts, "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it." This instruction reinforces the value of hospitality and the potential blessings that come from welcoming strangers.

Conclusion

The biblical mandate is clear: abhorrence of strangers is forbidden, and instead, love, justice, and hospitality are to be extended to them. This reflects the heart of God, who cares for all people and calls His followers to do the same.Deuteronomy 23:7
You shall not abhor an Edomite; for he is your brother: you shall not abhor an Egyptian; because you were a stranger in his land.
Nave's Topical Index

In Palestine - Jews and Gentiles in the Land' - their Mutual ...
... fortified posts, which he populated with strangers, as so ... This abhorrence of all
connected with idolatry, and the ... was all cloth woven on it forbidden, but if ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vii in palestine -.htm

Directions How to Lead a Heavenly Life Upon Earth.
... in dust and ashes; and that self-abhorrence is his ... to the heavenly life, while we
are utter strangers to the ... she sees more worth in the forbidden fruit than in ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter xii directions how to.htm

Judas Iscariot
... either have made a rush across the forbidden threshold or ... the purchase of a graveyard
for burying strangers in ... as to blunt the healthy, natural abhorrence of it ...
/.../stalker/the trial and death of jesus christ/chapter ix judas iscariot.htm

Letter cxxx. (AD 412. )
... Even philosophers who were strangers to the worship of God have rejected this sentiment
with deserved abhorrence. ... that, although He has forbidden "much speaking ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter cxxx a d 412.htm

Letter Lxxxii. (AD 405. )
... to do, although he was not forbidden to use ... are found affirming truth, are
notwithstanding strangers to the ... that it was worthy of abhorrence and condemnation. ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter lxxxii a d 405.htm

The Deists.
... If they are forbidden to speak at all upon such ... Deists and evidence writers alike
were strangers to those ... He publicly expressed his abhorrence of the so-called ...
/.../abbey/the english church in the eighteenth century/chapter iii the deists.htm

The Case of Spiritual Decay and Languor in Religion
... my Heavenly Father was so conspicuous that strangers might have ... I beseech thee, that
I may see it with abhorrence! ... being employed to an unholy or forbidden use ...
/.../the rise and progress of religion in the soul/chapter xxii the case of.htm

Paul in Ephesus.
... populous, and was the resort of strangers, who flocked ... a profane science, which was
expressly forbidden by their ... as well as to testify the abhorrence in which ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxii paul in ephesus.htm

Christian Sympathy
... in the same form of imprecation, for that is forbidden to the ... my water to give it
unto these strangers?" Oh ... There has not been that abhorrence of the evil which ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/christian sympathy.htm

Exposition of the Moral Law.
... Short enumeration of forbidden shapes. ... the observance of them, while the threatening
denounced are intended to produce a greater abhorrence of unrighteousness ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 8 exposition of the.htm

Summary of the Book of 3 John - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible mean when it says not to touch God's anointed? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that “the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure” (Genesis 15:16)? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus