en_tw/bible/other/foreigner.md

1.9 KiB

alien, alienates, alienated, foreign, foreigner, foreigners, live as a foreigner, living as foreigners, sojourner, sojourners, barbarian

Definition:

The term "foreigner" refers to a person living in a country that is not his own. Another name for a foreigner is an "alien."

  • In the Old Testament, this term especially refers to anyone who came from a different people group than the people he was living among.
  • A foreigner is also a person whose language and culture is different from those of a particular region.
  • For example, when Naomi and her family moved to Moab, they were foreigners there. When Naomi and her daughter-in-law Ruth later moved to Israel, Ruth was called a "foreigner" there because she was not originally from Israel.
  • The apostle Paul told the Ephesians that before they knew Christ, they were "foreigners" to God's covenant.
  • Sometimes "foreigner" is translated as "stranger," but it should not refer only to someone who is unfamiliar or unknown.
  • A "sojourner" is a person who is living in one country that is not his but waiting for the chance to move to his own country.
  • A "barbarian" is a person from another country who does not speak the local language or obey the local customs and so the natives do not like or respect him.
  • To be "alienated" is to no longer be living in loving relationship with another. For example, aß husband and wife who are no longer living together but are not divorced are "alienated" or "estranged."

Bible References:

Word Data:

  • Strong's: H312, H628, H1471, H1481, H1616, H2114, H3937, H4033, H5236, H5237, H6154, H8453, G241, G245, G246, G526, G915, G3581, G3927, G3941