In the context of ancient Israel, the term "strangers" often referred to non-Israelites who lived among the Israelites. These individuals were primarily captives taken in war, as well as foreigners who chose to dwell in the land of Israel for various reasons. The presence and treatment of these strangers are significant themes in the Old Testament, reflecting both the social dynamics and the theological principles of the Israelite community.

Biblical Context and Definition

The Hebrew term for "stranger" is "ger," which denotes a foreigner or sojourner residing temporarily or permanently in Israel. These individuals were distinct from native-born Israelites but were afforded certain protections and responsibilities under the Mosaic Law. The Bible provides numerous references to the presence of strangers, emphasizing their integration into the community while maintaining their distinct identity.

Captives Taken in War

A significant portion of the strangers in Israel were captives taken during military conquests. The Israelites, under divine command, engaged in battles with surrounding nations, and it was common for captives to be brought back to Israel. These captives often became servants or laborers, contributing to the economic and social fabric of Israelite society.

For instance, in the conquest of Canaan, the Israelites were instructed to destroy certain nations completely, but in other cases, they were allowed to take captives. Deuteronomy 20:10-11 outlines the procedure for offering peace to a city before attacking it, stating, "When you approach a city to fight against it, you are to make an offer of peace. If they accept your offer of peace and open their gates, all the people there will become forced laborers to serve you."

Legal Protections and Responsibilities

The Mosaic Law provided specific guidelines for the treatment of strangers, ensuring they were not oppressed or mistreated. Leviticus 19:33-34 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."

Strangers were also expected to adhere to certain aspects of the law, particularly those related to moral and ceremonial practices. They were invited to participate in religious observances, such as the Passover, provided they met specific requirements (Exodus 12:48-49).

Social and Religious Integration

While strangers were not Israelites by birth, they were integrated into the community to varying degrees. They could own property, engage in commerce, and even become proselytes, fully converting to the faith of Israel. The account of Ruth, a Moabite woman who became the great-grandmother of King David, exemplifies the potential for integration and acceptance of foreigners within Israel.

The presence of strangers served as a constant reminder of Israel's own history as sojourners in Egypt and underscored the nation's calling to be a light to the nations. The treatment of strangers was a reflection of Israel's covenant relationship with God, who commanded justice, mercy, and love for all people, regardless of their origin.Deuteronomy 21:10
When you go forth to war against your enemies, and the LORD your God has delivered them into your hands, and you have taken them captive,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

In Judaea
... The latter is chiefly the impulse of the ill ... who like her "looked for redemption
in Israel," would lift up ... Their constant intercourse with strangers gave them a ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 5 in judaea.htm

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... speakers, as I think, were chiefly friends of ... These consisted of aimless wanderings
through the forests ... prevented the subjugation of Damascus, Israel, Tyre, the ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria 2.htm

Appendix iv. An Abstract of Jewish History from the Reign of ...
... in the mode of levying it by strangers, often unjustly ... Simon's policy lay chiefly
in turning to good account the ... of the most sacred feelings of Israel; but he ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix iv an abstract of.htm

Christianity in Rome.
... preaching, of Christ, the true King of Israel, would naturally ... This consolidation
was chiefly the work of Clement, who appears as ... Sojourners are strangers (comp ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 36 christianity in rome.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... The recognised offering consisted of flowers, bread, fruit, and perfumes, but ... they
form part of the various measures taken after the Median war to achieve ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... open their gates freely to the strangers, and their ... inadequate to secure to him a
supremacy in Israel. ... was a military colony, and was chiefly distributed among ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
... of fact, the intermeddling of these strangers between the ... the marriage of his son
having taken place, he ... After his departure the war lost its general character ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of 2.htm

The Memphite Empire
... They lived chiefly upon the milk of their flocks, and the ... and they say that the children
of Israel built them as ... in front of the east face; it consisted of two ...
/.../chapter iithe memphite empire.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... The whole country consisted of a collection of petty ... mile or two, would be as great
strangers to each ... prevailing tradition in the kingdom of Israel, the latter ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... no man must conceive of God, as if he consisted of these ... the similitude of a garden,
which is taken out of ... unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel" (Amos 7 ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

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