Race
Culture & Societyâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
The Hebrew word 'ras' denotes a course, path, or track, frequently associated with athletic contests or racing, and is etymologically unrelated to modern concepts of biological race.
What is the meaning of Race in the Bible?
The Hebrew word 'ras' denotes a course, path, or track, frequently associated with athletic contests or racing, and is etymologically unrelated to modern concepts of biological race.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the distinction between the ancient Hebrew concept of a physical track and modern racial categories prevents anachronistic interpretations of biblical texts and clarifies the cultural context of ancient Near Eastern athletic metaphors.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Race in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Race clarify?
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.