Text:EBD:Gentiles
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The word "gentile" is derived from the Hebrew goyim. The word gentile in general means all nations except the Jews. In course of time, as the Jews began more and more to pride themselves on their peculiar privileges, it acquired unpleasant associations, and was used as a term of contempt.
In the New Testament the Greek word Hellenes, meaning literally Greek (as in Acts 16:1, Acts 16:3; Acts 18:17; Romans 1:14), generally denotes any non-Jewish nation.
Return to Easton's Bible Dictionary | Gentile
