(Heb., usually in plural, goyim), meaning in general all nations except the Jews. In course of time, as the Jews began more and more to pride themselves on their peculiar privileges, it acquired unpleasant associations, and was used as a term of contempt. In the New Testament the Greek word Hellenes, meaning literally Greek (as in Acts 16:1, 3; 18:17; Rom. 1:14), generally denotes any non-Jewish nation. (nations). All the people who were not Jews were so called by them, being aliens from the worship, rites and privileges of Israel. The word was used contemptuously by them. In the New Testament it is used as equivalent to Greek. This use of the word seems to have arisen from the almost universal adaption of the Greek language. Comprehend all nations except the Jews -- Ro 2:9; 3:9; 9:24. Called Heathen. -- Ps 2:1; Ga 3:8. Nations. -- Ps 9:20; 22:28; Isa 9:1. Uncircumcised. -- Isa 14:6; 52:1. Uncircumcision. -- Ro 2:26. Greeks. -- Ro 1:16; 10:12. Strangers. -- Isa 14:1; 60:10. Ruled by God -- 2Ch 20:6; Ps 47:8. Chastised by God -- Ps 9:5; 94:10. Counsel of, brought to nought -- Ps 33:10. Characterised as Ignorant of God. -- Ro 1:21; 1Th 4:5. Refusing to know God. -- Ro 1:28. Without the law. -- Ro 2:14. Idolatrous. -- Ro 1:23,25; 1Co 12:2. Superstitious. -- De 18:14. Depraved and wicked. -- Ro 1:28-32; Eph 4:19. Blasphemous and reproachful. -- Ne 5:9. Constant to their false gods. -- Jer 2:11. Hated and despised the Jews -- Es 9:1,5; Ps 44:13,14; 123:3. Often ravaged and defiled the holy land and sanctuary -- Ps 79:1; La 1:10. The Jews Not to follow the ways of. -- Le 18:3; Jer 10:2. Not to intermarry with. -- De 7:3. Permitted to have, as servants. -- Le 25:44. Despised, as if dogs. -- Mt 15:26. Never associated with. -- Ac 10:28; 11:2,3. Often corrupted by. -- 2Ki 17:7,8. Dispersed amongst. -- Joh 7:35. Excluded from Israel's privileges -- Eph 2:11,12. Not allowed to enter the temple -- Ac 21:28,29. Outer court of temple for -- Eph 2:14; Re 11:2. Given to Christ as His inheritance -- Ps 2:8. Christ given as a light to -- Isa 42:6; Lu 2:32. Conversion of, predicted -- Isa 2:2; 11:10. United with the Jews against Christ -- Ac 4:27. The gospel not to be preached to, till preached to the Jews -- Mt 10:5; Lu 24:47; Ac 13:46. First special introduction of the gospel to -- Ac 10:34-45; 15:14. First general introduction of the gospel to -- Ac 13:48,49,52; 15:12. Paul the apostle of -- Ac 9:15; Ga 2:7,8. Jerusalem trodden down by, &c -- Lu 21:24. Israel rejected till the fulness of -- Ro 11:25.
Gentiles