[CFT: We are republishing this article with editorial updates that improve ease of reading, citations, and organization.]
Here we will take a look at another chapter from Charles A. Wiseman’s book, Is Universalism Of God? — this time addressing the actual meaning of “strangers” in the Bible — a term that universalists often cherry pick and exploit to suit their non-scriptural egalitarian agenda, all the while ignoring the original Hebrew words from which it is translated into English — along with its often-nuanced original context.
[CFT: We previously published another chapter from Wiseman’s same book on the problematic nature of the Great Commission as promoted by universalists.]
Wiseman writes:
The Strangers In The Bible
Egalitarians and Universalists use several arguments and doctrines in which they use the term “strangers” to mean “races other than Israel.”
However, there are actually several different Hebrew words that are translated as “stranger.” — listed here by their Strong’s numbers, pronunciations, general definitions, and references:
#1616 geyr — a guest, a foreigner, alien sojourner (Gen. 23:4; Ex. 2:22 & 20:10; Lev. 17:12; Deut. 10:19).
#2114 zuwr (zoor) — to turn aside, a foreigner to the land, profane, from adultery, honor as a visitor or guest, a stranger to the family or household (Deut. 25:5; 1 Kings 3:18; Job 19:15; Prov. 6:1 & 20:16
#5235 noker (no-ker) — something strange, calamity, a strange or unhappy fate, one who has a misfortune (Gen. 17:12, 17:27; Ex. 12:43; Ob. 1:12)
#5236 nekar (nay-kawr) — foreignness, heathendom, alien, strange gods (Deut. 31:16 & 32:12; 2 Sam. 22:45; Neh. 9:2 & 13:30; Psa. 18:44; Isa. 62:8; Ezek. 44:7 & 9; Mal. 2:11)
#5237 nokriy (nok-ree) — strange, foreign, foreigner from a far land, non-relative, different, a non-Israelite people (Deut. 15:3, 17:15, 23:20, 29:22; Judges 19:12; 1 Kings 8:4 & 11:1; Ezra 10:2; Neh. 13:27)
#8453 toshab (to-shawb) — a sojourner, as distinguished from a native citizen, an emigrant (Ex. 12:45; Lev. 22:10, 25:23, 35:47; Psa. 39:12)
As it can be seen, there are several different Hebrew words which have been translated into the one English word “stranger.”
The egalitarians and universalists who use certain verses involving the word “stranger” never, of course, specify which word is being used to prove their doctrine.
They also diligently avoid other verses that use the term “stranger” which clearly show persons who are separate from — or unequal with — God’s people.
The assumption that the term “stranger” must mean someone of another race is in itself rather bizarre since the term never carries that meaning in the English language. When we meet someone we don’t know, we might say, “How’s it going, stranger?” The term simply means someone you do not know.
The identity and status of the “strangers” in the Bible cannot be interpreted by assumption or by a universal application of one definition.
We need to determine which word is being used — and the context in which it is used — in order to determine the person’s identity and relationship to Israel.
Further, we cannot have interpretations which are inconsistent with established biblical doctrines or principles or laws of God.
As we will see, a “stranger” can be one from another family, city, tribe, nation, or race.
The first use of the term stranger in the Bible is in Genesis 15:13, where Abraham was told that his descendants would be strangers in the land of Egypt.
Geyr
The word stranger in this verse is Strong’s #1616 (geyr) — and simply means that the Israelites would be foreigners of the nature of a guest — at least that is what they were in the beginning:
“God said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years. This laid the foundation for the law.”
—Genesis 15:13
And again in:
“Thou shalt not abhor an Egyptian; because thou wast a stranger in his land.”
–Deuteronomy 23:7
Here the word stranger is again Strong’s #1616 (geyr) — implying a visitor or guest, or someone traveling through the land.
A geyr in Israel had certain rights and obligations to abide by the laws in the land:
In Ezekiel 47:22, where the land is being divided among the tribes of Israel, it is said that:
“The strangers (geyr) that sojourn among you, which shall beget children among you; they shall be unto you as born in the country among the children of Israel; they shall have inheritance with you among the tribes of Israel.”
The geyr (visitor) here is like the Israelites being a geyr in Egypt — where they came among those of their own race and those they married, as with Joseph’s wife (Genesis 41:40), who became members of the house of Israel.
There are well-known examples of pure Adamic individuals who were not Israelites — but by marriage they or their children became members of the Covenant people; such as with Moses marrying a Midianite (Exodus 2:16-22).
It is interesting to note that the geyr stranger is often contrasted with the nokriy (#5237) stranger — as in Deuteronomy 14:21 where both terms are used but treated differently:
“You shall not eat of any thing that dies of itself: thou shalt give it unto the stranger (geyr) that is in thy gates, that he may eat it; or you may sell it to an alien (nokriy): for thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God.”
—Deuteronomy 14:21
Read full text: https://christiansfortruth.com/strangers-in-the-bible-who-they-are-and-who-they-are-not/
Conclusion
There is nothing in regards to the term “stranger” in the Old Testament that shows that other races are placed on an equal footing with Israel — or are brought into the covenant relationship with God.
In fact, there are many passages demonstrating that Israel is to be delivered from non-Israelites:
“To deliver thee from the strange woman, From the stranger who hath made smooth her sayings.”
—Proverbs 2:16
“And ye have known that I am YHWH your God, Dwelling in Zion, My holy mountain, And Jerusalem hath been holy, And strangers do not pass over into it again.”
—Joel 3:17
