Goiim
Culture & Societyâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
The Hebrew word goyim is the plural form of goy, meaning nation or people, and in biblical usage it primarily denotes the collective body of non-Israelite nations distinct from the covenant community of Israel.
What is the meaning of Goiim in the Bible?
The Hebrew word goyim is the plural form of goy, meaning nation or people, and in biblical usage it primarily denotes the collective body of non-Israelite nations distinct from the covenant community of Israel.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing that goyim refers broadly to foreign nations rather than serving as a derogatory label helps readers accurately interpret the theological boundaries and social interactions described in the Hebrew Bible between Israel and its neighbors.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Goiim in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Goiim clarify?
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Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.