Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comFausset Bible Dictionary: Gentiles
Subjects in this Topic:
Hebrew Gowy, "the nations" (or "pagan," derived from the Greek ethnee), as opposed to Israel (). In , "isles of the Gentiles," the term is used geographically in no invidious sense. In , Tidal "king of nations" was probably chief of several nomadic wandering tribes of western Asia. In we read, "the king of the nations (the gentile foreigners) of Gilgal," the modern Moslem village Jiljule, six Roman miles N. of Antipatris. Goim is especially used of Galilee, bordering on and, even in Israelite times, much peopled with the Gilgal (; .) (See GALILEE.) "Greeks" in New Testament is used for Gentiles (; ; ; ; -10; margin).
With all the superiority of the gentile great world kingdoms, in military prowess, commerce, luxury, and the fine arts, Israel stood on an immense moral elevation above them, in the one point, nearness to God, and possession of His revealed will and word (-6; -20; ; -2). But this superiority was in order that Israel, as priests unto God, might be mediator of blessings unto all nations (). The covenant from the first with Abraham contemplated that "in his seed all the nations of the earth should be blessed" (). The Jews in national pride failed to see this, and despised the Gentiles Rejecting Messiah, they were "broken oft" from the olive, that the Gentiles might be" grafted in" (-35).
"The times of the Gentiles" began with Judah's depression and captivity under Nebuchadnezzar, to whom God delegated the world empire (-7), from whence Jeremiah's counsel to the Jews to submit to hint was true patriotism, not cowardice. Jerusalem has more or less been ever since "trodden down of the Gentiles," and shall be so "until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled" (). Then shall the times of Israel begin with a glory eclipsing her past glory. "All Israel shall be saved." "The receiving of them shall be life from the dead" to the whole world (; -4; -15). The theocracy shall be restored with unparalleled splendor at the coming of Him "whose right it is" (). The times of the gentile monarchies answer to Israel's seven times punishment (; -24).