Biblical Words Conveying Meanings Similar to Heathen and Pagan

Introduction

Understanding how heathen and pagan terms have changed over time requires more than tracing their historical usage in European languages—it also demands examining the biblical terms that shaped their meanings. Many words translated as heathen or pagan in modern Bibles come from Hebrew and Greek terms that originally signified nations, foreigners, or outsiders rather than religious unbelievers.

This post explores those biblical words, clarifying how they were used in their original contexts and how their meanings shifted over time. By examining terms like gôy, ethnos, and ethnikos, we can better understand how theological, political, and linguistic forces contributed to the later meanings of heathen and pagan.

Hebrew Terms in the Old Testament

1. גּוֹי (gôy) – “Nation” or “Gentiles”

   • This is the most common Hebrew term used for non-Israelite nations.
   • While initially neutral (even referring to Israel itself at times), it later took on the connotation of foreigners or idolaters.
   • Example:
     • Deuteronomy 7:1 – “When the Lord your God brings you into the land... and clears away many nations (gôyim) before you...”

2. עַם (ʿam) – “People” or “Tribe”

   • Used more generically for any group of people, including Israel.
   • Sometimes contrasted with gôy to refer to Israelites (ʿam) vs. other nations (gôyim).

3. נָכְרִי (nokhrî) / גֵּר (gēr) – “Foreigner” or “Stranger”

   • Nokhrî is used for a foreigner with no ties to Israel.
   • Gēr is a sojourner—a foreigner who lived among Israelites but could integrate into the community.

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Greek Terms in the New Testament

1. ἔθνος (ethnos) – “Nation” or “Gentiles”

   • This is the Greek equivalent of gôy.
   • It is often used in the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) and the New Testament to mean non-Jews or Gentiles.
   • Example:
     • Matthew 28:19 – “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations (ethnē).”

2. Ἕλλην (Hellēn) – “Greek” or “Non-Jew”

   • Sometimes used interchangeably with ethnos, though it specifically refers to Greek-speaking people.
   • Example:
     • Romans 1:16 – “To the Jew first, and also to the Greek (Hellēn).”

3. ἐθνικός (ethnikos) – “Heathen” or “Pagan”

   • This is a more negative term for those who live outside Jewish or Christian faith.
   • Used only a few times in the New Testament, and usually in a negative sense.
   • Example:
     • Matthew 18:17 – “Let him be to you as a Gentile (ethnikos) and a tax collector.”

4. βαρβαρος (barbaros) – “Barbarian” or “Foreigner”

   • Used to describe non-Greek speakers, later applied to non-Romans and uncivilized peoples.
   • Paul sometimes contrasts Greeks (Hellēnes) and Barbarians (Barbaroi) in a neutral way.
   • Example:
     • Romans 1:14 – “I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians.”

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How These Terms Relate to Heathen and Pagan

• Heathen (Gothic haiþno):

  • Translates ethnikos in Wulfila’s Gothic Bible, meaning non-Christian/non-Jew.
  • More closely related to ethnos (nations) than to paganus (villager).
  • Used in contexts where Gentiles or idol-worshippers are referenced.

• Pagan (Latin paganus):

  • Not used in the Bible but became popular in Christian Latin writings.
  • Overlaps in meaning with ethnikos but originally had a secular meaning (“villager”).

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Key Takeaways

1. Ethnos and Ethnikos are the closest biblical terms to “heathen.”
2. Paganus (pagan) isn’t found in the Bible but later took on religious meaning in Latin Christianity.
3. Old Testament terms like gôy and nokhrî referred to non-Israelites but weren’t inherently negative.
4. New Testament usage of ethnikos became more pejorative, reinforcing the idea of outsiders.