Encyclopedia entry
Stranger
This word generally denotes a person from a foreign land residing in Palestine. Such persons enjoyed many privileges in common with the Jews, but still were separate from them. The relation of the Jews to strangers was regulated by special laws (Deut. 23:3; 24:14-21; 25:5; 26:10-13). A special signification is also sometimes attached to this word. In Gen. 23:4 it denotes one resident in a foreign land; Ex. 23:9, one who is not a Jew; Num. 3:10, one who is not of the family of Aaron; Ps. 69:8, an alien or an unknown person. The Jews were allowed to purchase strangers as slaves (Lev. 25:44, 45), and to take usury from them (Deut. 23:20).
Also from Smith's (1884) +−
A “stranger,” in the technical sense of the term, may be defined to be a person of foreign, i.e. non-Israelitish, extraction resident within the limits of the promised land. He was distinct from the proper “foreigner,” inasmuch as the latter still belonged to another country, and would only visit Palestine as a traveller: he was still more distinct from the “nations,” or non-Israelite peoples. The term may be compared with our expression “naturalized foreigner.” The terms applied to the “stranger” have special reference to the fact of residing in the land. The existence of such a class of persons among the Israelites is easily accounted for the “mixed multitude” that accompanied them out of Egypt, (Exodus 12:38) formed one element the Canaanitish Population, which was never wholly extirpated from their native soil, formed another and a still more important one captives taken in war formed a third; fugitives, hired servants, merchants, etc., formed a fourth. With the exception of the Moabites and Ammonites, (23:3) all nations were admissible to the rights of citizenship under certain conditions. The stranger appears to have been eligible to all civil offices, that of king excepted. (17:15) In regard to religion, it was absolutely necessary that the stranger should not infringe any of the fundamental laws of the Israelitish state. If he were a bondman, he was obliged to submit to circumcision, (Exodus 12:44) if he were independent, it was optional with him but if he remained uncircumcised, he was prohibited from partaking of the Passover, (Exodus 12:48) and could not be regarded as a full citizen. Liberty was also given to an uncircumcised stranger in regard to the use of prohibited food. Assuming, however, that the stranger was circumcised, no distinction existed in regard to legal rights ha between the stranger and the Israelite; to the Israelite is enjoined to treat him as a brother. (Leviticus 19:34; 10:19) It also appears that the “stranger” formed the class whence the hirelings were drawn; the terms being coupled together in (Exodus 12:45; Leviticus 22:10; 25:6,40) The liberal spirit of the Mosaic regulations respecting strangers presents a strong contrast to the rigid exclusiveness of the Jews at the commencement of the Christian era. The growth of this spirit dates from the time of the Babylonish captivity.
In the Bible
127
Verses where Stranger is named. Berean Standard Bible (public domain).
- 1 Kings 3:18
On the third day after I gave birth, this woman also had a baby. We were alone, with no one in the house but the two of us.
- 1 Kings 8:41
And as for the foreigner who is not of Your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of Your name—
- 1 Kings 8:43
then may You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You. Then all the peoples of the earth will know Your name and fear You, as do Your people Israel, and they will know that this house I have built is called by Your Name.
- 2 Chronicles 6:32
And as for the foreigner who is not of Your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of Your great name and Your mighty hand and outstretched arm—when he comes and prays toward this temple,
- 2 Chronicles 6:33
then may You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You. Then all the peoples of the earth will know Your name and fear You, as do Your people Israel, and they will know that this house I have built is called by Your Name.
- 2 Samuel 1:13
And David inquired of the young man who had brought him the report, “Where are you from?” “I am the son of a foreigner,” he answered. “I am an Amalekite.”
+121 more verses naming Stranger.
Scripture on Stranger
86
See all 86 +−
- Deuteronomy 23Deuteronomy 24Matthew 25Genesis 17Exodus 23Numbers 3Deuteronomy 26Genesis 23Leviticus 17Leviticus 24Numbers 18Deuteronomy 10Deuteronomy 14Deuteronomy 16Deuteronomy 291 Kings 82 Chronicles 6Job 19Psalms 69Proverbs 5Proverbs 27Isaiah 56Ezekiel 22Genesis 15Genesis 28Genesis 37Exodus 2Exodus 20Exodus 22Exodus 29Exodus 30Leviticus 16Leviticus 18Leviticus 23Numbers 1Numbers 9Numbers 16Numbers 19Numbers 35Deuteronomy 1Deuteronomy 5Deuteronomy 17Deuteronomy 25Deuteronomy 27Deuteronomy 28Deuteronomy 31Joshua 8Joshua 20Judges 19Ruth 22 Samuel 12 Samuel 151 Kings 3Job 15Job 29Job 31Psalms 39Psalms 94Psalms 119Proverbs 2Proverbs 6Proverbs 7Proverbs 11Proverbs 14Proverbs 20Ecclesiastes 6Isaiah 62Jeremiah 7Jeremiah 14Jeremiah 22Ezekiel 14Ezekiel 44Ezekiel 47Obadiah 1Zechariah 7Malachi 3Luke 17Luke 24John 10Acts 7Hebrews 11
Voices on Stranger
24
Surfaced by name match — accuracy varies by title clarity.
Sources · Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897) · Smith's Bible Dictionary (1884)
Public-domain text. Modernized only where archaic spelling impedes reading; original facts preserved. Verify against an authoritative modern reference before quoting.