Today many people assert the word ‘gentiles’ means a person
of ‘non-Jewish’ origin. To know for sure
what this word ‘gentiles’ means we must go back to the original language to see
the original words used and identify how the word ‘gentiles’ was used in each
sentence. Performing a one word study is
always important when identifying what a word really means. Only then will we
have a clear understanding what the word ‘gentiles’ means and understanding the
definition of this word as used in our bible.
First though lets identify how the word ‘gentiles’ got into
our bibles since it is a Latin word. The
Latin Vulgate Bible was translated from the old Latin Bible by Jerome in 382 AD
and it used the word ‘gentiles’ or a form of the word ‘gentiles’. Then later
when the bible was translated into English from Latin translators continued to
use the word ‘gentiles’ in their English versions. For example in 1535 when William Tyndale
translated the bible into English he used the word ‘gentiles’ or a form of
this word 80 times.
Tyndale used the word ‘gentiles’ in his translation spelt as
follows: gentyls, gentyles, gentyll,
gentylls, and gentyle. The first time he uses this word is in reference to
Noah’s son Japheth’s descendant as follows:
“Of these came the Iles of the gentylls in there contres every man in his speach
kynred and nation.” Tyndale Bible Genesis 10:5
"ab his divisae sunt insulae gentium in regionibus suis unusquisque secundum linguam et familias in nationibus suis" Latin Vulgate Genesis 10:5
The Douay–Rheims
Bible translated by 1610 from the Latin Vulgate also used the word
‘gentiles’ in this verse:
“By
these were divided the islands of the Gentiles in their lands, every one according to
his tongue and their families in their nations.” DR Gen 10:5
Both translators are stating in this verse that they think
that Japheth’s descendants are to be considered ‘gentiles’. So if we are to use the definition asserted
today this would mean that Japheth’s descendants should be considered
‘non-Jews’. However this definition does
not make sense since Jews did not exist at the time of Japheth’s life and in
fact the word ‘Jew’ is never mentioned in the first five books of the bible
referred to as the laws of Moses.
If you study this link https://studybible.info/compare/Genesis%2010:5
that contains many different translations of the verse Genesis 10:5 you will
see that 28 versions show the word ‘gentiles’ was used and of this same verse
26 versions used the word ‘nation’ instead.
Here is an example of the word ‘nation’ being used instead of the word
‘gentiles’.
“Of these were the isles of the nations divided in their lands, every one after
his tongue, after their families, in their nations.” ASV Gen 10:5
So why did some translators choose the word ‘gentiles’ and
some used the word ‘nations’? We must
look further to identify what this word ‘gentiles’ means.
Definitions of Gentiles and Nations
Let us look at the definitions of the words ‘gentiles’ and
the word ‘nations’ to see what can be learned. Since both of these English words
originate from Latin words, here are the original Latin definitions.
Both definitions refer to a person’s race, family, clan, or
tribe.
Sources:
In the Original Language
Now let’s look at the original words used in the Greek,
Latin, and block Hebrew versions of the bible.
The Greek word Ethnos
The 1844
Brenton Septuagint, that was translated from the Greek Septuagint and was
in use during the time our Savior Jesus Christ lived, translated the Greek word
‘ethnos’ into the word ‘gentiles’. In
this verse the word nations is also translated from the Greek word ‘ethnos’.
“From
these were the islands of the Gentiles [G1484 ethnos; race, people,
nation; the nations, heathen world, Gentiles] divided in their land,
each according to his tongue, in their tribes and in their nations [G1484 ethnos; race, people,
nation; the nations, heathen world, Gentiles].” Sep Gen
10:5
Our English word ethnic comes from the Greek word
‘ethnos’. The English word ‘ethnic’
means ‘of or relating to a group
of people having common racial, ancestral, national, religious or
cultural origins’. Notice the word ‘ethnic’ has a very similar meaning
as the words ‘gentiles’ and ‘nation’ above.
The Latin word Gentium
The Tyndale Bible, Douay–Rheims
Bible and others translated the Latin word ‘gentium’ into the word
‘gentiles’. Gentium is the plural form of the
word ‘gens’. The English word ‘Genesis’ is also derived from the Latin word
‘gens’.
“By
these were divided the islands of the Gentiles [gentium; clan,
tribe, family ] in their
lands, every one according to his tongue and their families in their nations
[nationibus}.”
DR Gen 10:5
“ab
his divisae sunt insulae gentium in regionibus suis unusquisque secundum
linguam et familias in nationibus suis’ LV Gen 10:5
Gens Definition
Below is the definition of the word of gentium which is a plural
form of the word gens.
Therefore the Latin word ‘gens’ has the same definition as
the words nation, ethnic, and gentiles.
They all refer to a tribe of people with the same genes or ancestry. Even though the 4th definition
above reflects gentiles, we will see that cannot be the definition in the next
section below since Rebecca did not give birth to two gentiles.
The Block Hebrew word Goy
Using the block Hebrew version of the bible both the words
‘Gentiles’ and ‘nations’ was translated from the word ‘goy’. Therefore notice that both the Brenton
Septuagint and the King James Bible translators preferred the Latin Vulgate original
words. I believe this is because the KJV was translated actually from the Latin Vulgate.
“By
these were the isles of the Gentiles [H1471 goy; nation, people] divided
in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations [H1471 goy; nation, people].”
KJV Gen 10:5
Two Gentiles, Nations, or ‘Non-Jews’ in Rebekah’s Womb?
As seen above the word ‘gentiles’ was translated from the
Greek word ‘ethnos’, Latin word ‘gentium’ that is plural form of ‘gens’ and the
block Hebrew word ‘goy’. If these words
really mean ‘non-Jew’ that would mean that in Genesis our Father in Heaven told
Rebecca that she would give birth to two ‘non-Jews’.
“And
the Lord said to her, There are two nations [G1484 ethnos; race, people,
nation; the nations, heathen world, Gentiles] in thy womb, and two
peoples shall be separated from thy belly, and one people shall excel the
other, and the elder shall serve the younger.” Sep Gen 25:23
“And
he answering said: Two nations [gentes gens; meaning tribe, people, nations] are
in thy womb, and two peoples shall be divided out of thy womb, and one people
shall overcome the other, and the elder shall serve the younger”. DR Gen
25:23
“qui
respondens ait duae [two] gentes [gens; meaning tribe, people, nations] in
utero tuo sunt et duo populi ex ventre tuo dividentur populusque populum
superabit et maior minori serviet” LV Gen 25:23
“And
the Lord said unto her, Two nations [H1471 goy; nation, people] are
in thy womb, And two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and
the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall
serve the younger.” KJV Gen 25:23
Rebecca gave birth to Jacob and Esau. Esau was the elder and his tribe became known
as Edom or the Edomites. Jacob was the
younger who was surnamed Israel and his descendant became known as the 12
tribes of Israel who were also called Israelites. This verse shows that the definition of
‘non-Jew’ does not work here either and the best word for these verses is ‘nation’.
Isaac is the Holy Seed
According to the book of Jubilees Isaac was chosen to be the
Holy Seed and he was not to be reckoned with the Gentiles. His Holy Seed line was chosen to be the
ancestry of Jesus Christ.
“And
Abraham circumcised his son on the eighth day: he was the first that was
circumcised according to the covenant which is ordained for ever. And in the
sixth year of the fourth week we came to Abraham, to the
Well of the Oath, and we appeared unto him [as we had told Sarah that we should
return to her, and she would have conceived a son. And we returned in the seventh month, and
found Sarah with child before us] and we blessed him, and
we announced to him all the things which had been decreed concerning him, that
he should not die till he should beget six sons more, and
should see (them) before he died; but (that) in Isaac should his name and seed
be called [probably called out, invited, summoned] And (that) all the
seed of his sons should be Gentiles, and be reckoned with the Gentiles; but
from the sons of Isaac one should become a holy seed, and should not be reckoned among the Gentiles. For he should become the portion of the Most High,
and all his seed
had fallen into the possession of God, that it should be unto the Lord a people
for (His) possession above all nations and that it should become a kingdom and priests and a holy nation.”
http://www.sacred-texts.com/bib/jub/jub37.htm
I realize that the book of Jubilees is apocrypha and it
should only be used if it agrees with the bible. Jubilees in agreement with the bible and just
provides additional information. Besides
it was men who decided which books belong in the bible and which ones do
not. This verse in Genesis reflects that
Isaac’s seed would be the called out ones.
“But
God said to Abraam, Let it not be hard before thee concerning the child, and
concerning the bondwoman; in all things whatsoever Sarrha shall say to thee,
hear her voice, for in Isaac shall thy seed be called [G3564 kaleō;
I call, summon, invite].” Sep Gen 21:12
Abraham did have six more sons, as stated in Jubilees, which
were to be reckoned with the gentiles. They were his sons that were birthed by
Keturah.
“Abraham took another wife, whose name was Keturah. She bore him Zimran,
Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah.” ESV Gen 25:1
What do Japhetic and Keturah’s Sons have in Common?
In both cases Japhetic and Keturah’s sons were not chosen to
be the holy seed line. Noah’s son Shem
was chosen for the holy seed line instead of Japhetic and Isaac was chosen to
be the holy seed line instead of Keturah’s sons.
Picture
sources:
Who is the Holy Seed Line?
The bible reflects many times that Israel is our Father in
Heaven’s chosen people that he made a covenant with and took them for a
possession. Not once does the bible
reflect that the Jews are HIS chosen and holy people. Therefore, the definition of the word Gentiles
again cannot mean ‘non-Jews’.
“For
thou art a holy people to the Lord thy God; and the Lord thy God chose thee to
be to him a peculiar people beyond all nations that are upon the face of the
earth.” Sep Deu 7:6
“For
the LORD has chosen Jacob for himself, Israel as his own possession.” ESV
Psa 135:4
“Blessed
be the Lord thy God, who has taken pleasure in thee, to set thee upon the
throne of Israel, because the Lord loved Israel to establish him for ever; and
he has made thee king over them, to execute judgment with justice, and in their
causes.” Sep 1Ki 10:9
“I
ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an
Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin.” ESV
Rom 11:1
“For
this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those
days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on
their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” ESV
Heb 8:10
Gentiles of the New Testament
The New Testament continues to use the same words as the Old
Testament; gentiles, gentium, gentes, and ethnos plus they also refer to Greeks
from Hellen as Gentiles. These Greeks from Hellen were people that were related
to the Israelites but were not the Holy Seed line.
This verse in Luke most translators used the word Gentiles
and some used the word nations (see https://biblehub.com/luke/2-32.htm). This is in reference to Christ be a light to
the Gentiles.
“A
light to the revelation of the Gentiles [gentium; clan,
tribe, family ], and the
glory of thy people Israel.” DR Luke 2:32
“lumen
ad revelationem gentium
et gloriam plebis tuae Israhel” LV Luke 2:32
“A
light for revelation to the Gentiles [G1484 ethnos; a race, people,
nation; the nations, Gentiles], And the glory of thy people Israel.”
ASV Luke 2:32
The above verse in Luke is the fulfillment of a verse in Isaiah
where it was prophesied that Christ would be a light to the Gentiles or ethnos who
were the dispersion of Israel. In this
verse Gentiles would refer to the tribes of Israel who had been taken captive
by the Assyrians previously and were no longer living in the Promised Land.
“And
he said to me, It is a great thing for thee to be called my servant, to
establish the tribes of Jacob, and to recover the dispersion of Israel: behold,
I have given thee for the covenant of a race,
for a light of the Gentiles [G1484 ethnos; race, people,
nation; the nations, heathen world, Gentiles], that thou shouldest
be for salvation to the end of the earth.” Sep Isa 49:6
“And
he said: It is a small thing that thou shouldst be my servant to raise up the
tribes of Jacob, and to convert the dregs of Israel. Behold, I have given thee
to be the light of the Gentiles [gentium; clan,
tribe, family ], that thou
mayst be my salvation even to the farthest part of the earth.” DR Isa 49:6
“et
dixit parum est ut sis mihi servus ad suscitandas tribus Iacob et feces Israhel
convertendas dedi te in lucem gentium ut sis salus mea usque ad extremum terrae”
LV Isa 49:6
“And
he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the
tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee
for a light to the Gentiles [[H1471 goy; nation, people], that
thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.” KJV Isa 49:6
Here in John most translators used the Greek translation and
translated the word ‘Hellen’ to the word Greek which referred to the people who
were natives of Hallas or Hellen. Others used the Latin Vulgate and translated the
word ‘gentitium’ to the word Gentiles. (see https://biblehub.com/john/7-35.htm)
“The
Jews therefore said among themselves, Whither will this man go that we shall
not find him? will he go unto the Dispersion among the Greeks [G1672 Hellén; a Greek, inhabitant of
Hellas, a name for a Gentile], and teach the Greeks [G1672 Hellén; a
Greek, inhabitant of Hellas, a name for
a Gentile]?” ASV John
7:35
“The
Jews therefore said among themselves: Whither will he go, that we shall not
find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles [gentium;
clan, tribe, family ], and
teach the Gentiles?”
DR John 7:35
“dixerunt
ergo Iudaei ad se ipsos quo hic iturus est quia non inveniemus eum numquid in
dispersionem gentium
iturus est et docturus gentes” LV John 7:35
“Then
said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him?
will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?” KJV John 7:35
Here in Acts they circumcised a Gentile because he was of
the same genes according to the Latin. According to the Greek they circumcised a
Greek from Hellen that was considered a Gentile.
“Him
would Paul have to go forth with him; and he took and circumcised him because of
the Jews [G2453 Ioudaios; Judean
from the word G2455 Ioudas; Judah]
that were in those parts: for they all knew that his father was a Greek [G1672 Hellén; a
Greek, inhabitant of Hellas, a name for a Gentile].” ASV Acts 16:3
“Him
Paul would have to go along with him: and taking him he circumcised him,
because of the Jews [Iudaeos;
from Judah] who were in those places. For they all knew that his father was
a Gentile
[gentilis; belonging to the
same family or gens].” DR Acts 16:3
“hunc
voluit Paulus secum proficisci et adsumens circumcidit eum propter Iudaeos
qui erant in illis locis sciebant enim omnes quod pater eius gentilis
esset” LV Acts 16:3
Here in Revelation most translators used the word ‘nations’
instead of the word ‘gentiles’. (see https://biblehub.com/revelation/16-19.htm)
“And
the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations [G1484 ethnos; a race, people,
nation; the nations, Gentiles] fell: and Babylon the great was remembered
in the sight of God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of
his wrath.” ASV Rev
16:19
“And
the great city was divided into three parts; and the cities of the Gentiles
[gentium; clan, tribe, family ] fell. And great Babylon came in remembrance before God,
to give her the cup of the wine of the indignation of his wrath.” DR Rev 16:19
“et
facta est civitas magna in tres partes et civitates gentium ceciderunt et Babylon magna
venit in memoriam ante Deum dare ei calicem vini indignationis irae eius” LV
Rev 16:19
Here in Revelation the word ‘nations’ is always used. (see https://biblehub.com/revelation/21-24.htm
and https://biblehub.com/revelation/21-26.htm)
“And
the nations
[G1484 ethnos; a race, people,
nation; the nations, Gentiles] shall walk amidst the light thereof: and the
kings of the earth bring their glory into it. And the gates thereof shall in no
wise be shut by day (for there shall be no night there): and they shall bring
the glory and the honor of the nations [G1484 ethnos; a race, people,
nation; the nations, Gentiles] into it:” ASV Rev 21:24-26
“And
the nations [gentes
gens; meaning tribe, people, nations] shall
walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth shall bring their glory and
honour into it. And the gates thereof shall not be shut by day: for there shall
be no night there. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations [gentium; clan, tribe, family] into it.” DR Rev 21:24-26
“et
ambulabunt gentes
per lumen eius et reges terrae adferent gloriam suam et honorem in illam et
portae eius non cludentur per diem nox enim non erit illic et adferent gloriam
et honorem gentium
in illam” LV Rev 21:24-26
Conclusion
In summary and according to our bible gentiles are
descendants of Adam that were not chosen to be the Holy Seed line and were
scattered away. In other words we could
say the gentiles are a race of people that have the same genes as Judah;
however they were not chosen to carry the holy seed line of Jesus Christ.
Scripture shows that no matter which language was used, the
Gentiles were people of the same genes meaning they were the same race. The word Gentiles was used to define Japhetic,
Keturah’s sons and the 10 tribes of Israel that were not chosen to be the holy
seed line and the genealogies in Chronicles does reflect that all of them were
related and shared the same most recent common ancestor being Noah. I was an able to find a verse in the bible
that stated the Gentiles were of a different race or genes.
I do realize that many people that attend church believe that
the Jews are Israel; however, nowhere does the bible state that either. The word Jews in the bible normally refers to
Judeans which means a citizen of Judah; each time the word ‘Jew’ is use it must
be looked up and verified for actual meaning.
For more information about our Father in Heaven’s chosen
people, please see this page https://ephraimamerica.blogspot.com/2018/08/who-are-israelites-today.html
