Gentiles in the OT
In the Old Testament, “Gentiles” are the nations other than Israel. They are often portrayed as outside Israel’s covenant life, yet still under God’s rule and included in His larger redemptive purposes.
At a Glance
In the Old Testament, “Gentiles” are the nations other than Israel. They are often portrayed as outside Israel’s covenant life, yet still under God’s rule and included in His larger redemptive purposes.
Description
In the Old Testament, “Gentiles” refers broadly to the nations apart from Israel. This distinction matters because God chose Israel for a special covenant role in history, giving her His law, promises, and worship. At the same time, the Old Testament never presents the nations as outside God’s sovereign concern or beyond His saving purpose. The nations are accountable to Him, sometimes used by Him as instruments of judgment, and often judged for idolatry, violence, and pride. Yet the Old Testament also contains clear signs of God’s mercy toward non-Israelites and repeated promises that the nations will come to know, fear, and worship the Lord. A careful summary, then, is that the Gentiles in the Old Testament are distinguished from Israel covenantally, but not excluded from God’s authority, moral concern, or redemptive plan.