In the context of the Bible, "strangeness" often refers to that which is foreign, unfamiliar, or not in accordance with the established norms and practices of the Israelite community or the early Christian church. This concept can be seen in various aspects, including foreign gods, practices, and even people who were not part of the covenant community.

Foreign Gods and Idolatry

The Bible frequently warns against the worship of foreign gods, which are often described as "strange" or "foreign." In Deuteronomy 32:16 , it is written, "They provoked His jealousy with foreign gods; they enraged Him with abominations." Here, the strangeness of these gods is associated with their ability to lead the Israelites away from the worship of Yahweh, the one true God. The strangeness of these gods is not merely in their foreign origin but in their opposition to the covenant relationship between God and His people.

Strange Practices

The Israelites were also cautioned against adopting the strange practices of the surrounding nations. Leviticus 18:3 instructs, "You must not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. Do not walk in their customs." The strangeness of these practices is highlighted by their incompatibility with the holiness and distinctiveness that God required of His people.

Strangers and Aliens

While the Bible often warns against strange gods and practices, it also provides guidance on how to treat strangers or foreigners living among the Israelites. In Exodus 22:21 , the Israelites are commanded, "You must not exploit or oppress a foreign resident, for you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt." The presence of strangers in the community was to be met with compassion and justice, reflecting God's care for all people.

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, the concept of strangeness takes on a new dimension with the inclusion of Gentiles into the early Christian church. Ephesians 2:19 states, "Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household." Here, the strangeness of the Gentiles is overcome through the reconciling work of Christ, who breaks down the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile.

Spiritual Strangeness

The New Testament also speaks to the idea of spiritual strangeness, where believers are called to live in a way that is distinct from the world. In 1 Peter 2:11 , Peter writes, "Beloved, I urge you as foreigners and exiles to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul." Christians are to live as strangers in the world, maintaining their distinct identity as followers of Christ.

Conclusion

The concept of strangeness in the Bible encompasses a range of ideas, from the dangers of foreign gods and practices to the inclusion of strangers within the community of faith. It challenges believers to maintain their distinctiveness while also extending grace and hospitality to those who are different.(n.) The state or quality of being strange (in any sense of the adjective).

That Deity Should be Born in Our Nature, Ought not Reasonably to ...
... IV."Apologetic Works. Chapter XXV. That Deity should be born in our
nature, ought not reasonably to present any strangeness? ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/chapter xxv that deity should.htm

John ix. 6, 7
... Jews might be silenced: for it was probable that they would all see him as he departed,
having the clay spread upon his eyes, since by the strangeness of the ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lvii john ix 6.htm

Matt. I. 1
... Nay, be not troubled at the strangeness of the saying. For it is no statement
of mine, but of our fathers, wonderful and illustrious men. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily iii matt i 1.htm

Natural Science and Theological Science.
... horror of great darkness. My faith however is not troubled,"nor even
perplexed,"by the strangeness of these things. Shall I think ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/sermon ii natural science and.htm

Shoes of Iron, and Strength Sufficient: a New Year's Promise
... We may be quite content to take the notion of iron and brazen shoes with all its
strangeness, and even let the strangeness be a commendation of it. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 35 1889/shoes of iron and strength.htm

These Words Speaketh Solomon, the Son of David the King and ...
... And all things here below are full of the spirit of strangeness and abomination,
so that it is not possible for one to retrieve them now; nay, rather it is not ...
/.../a metaphrase of the book of ecclesiastes/chapter i these words speaketh.htm

Bunsen's Biblical Researches.
... Devotion raises time present into the sacredness of the past; while Criticism reduces
the strangeness of the past into harmony with the present. ...
/.../essays and reviews the education of the world/bunsens biblical researches.htm

Introduction
... had to keep himself altogether out of sight, and its entry upon circulation had
to be surrounded with a certain mystery, in order that the strangeness of its ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/introduction 3.htm

Prayerlessness in the Pulpit
... "Henry Martyn laments that want of private devotional reading and shortness of prayer
through incessant sermon-making had produced much strangeness between God ...
/.../bounds/the weapon of prayer/viii prayerlessness in the pulpit.htm

The Eccentricity of Religion
... For some time back they had remarked a certain strangeness in His manner. He had
always been strange among His brothers, but now this was growing upon Him. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/drummond/the ideal life/the eccentricity of religion.htm

Strangeness (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Strangeness (1 Occurrence). Job 31:3 Is not calamity
to the perverse? And strangeness to workers of iniquity? (YLT). ...
/s/strangeness.htm - 6k

Strangely (3 Occurrences)

/s/strangely.htm - 7k

Perverse (55 Occurrences)
... cast away prey. (YLT). Job 31:3 Is not calamity to the perverse? And
strangeness to workers of iniquity? (YLT). Psalms 18:26 With ...
/p/perverse.htm - 22k

Virgin (62 Occurrences)
... There is no middle ground. It could not have been recounted without being challenged
for its strangeness and for its contravention of the accepted belief. ...
/v/virgin.htm - 64k

Birth (357 Occurrences)
... There is no middle ground. It could not have been recounted without being challenged
for its strangeness and for its contravention of the accepted belief. ...
/b/birth.htm - 71k

Stranger (152 Occurrences)

/s/stranger.htm - 57k

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