Gentile

Gentile Gentile (/ˈdʒɛnˌtaɪl/) is a word that usually means "someone who is not a Jew". Other groups that claim Israelite heritage, notably Mormons, sometimes use the term gentile to describe outsiders. More rarely, the term is used as a synonym for heathen or pagan As a term used to describe non-members of a religious/ethnic group, gentile is sometimes compared to words used to describe the "outgroup" in other cultures).It derives from the Latin word gentilis, meaning "of or belonging to the same people or nation". The history of the word is entwined with the history of Bible translations from Hebrew and Greek into Latin and English, Christian theology, and Rabbinical Jewish thought.

This page quotes famous passages about gentiles in different religious traditions. For more information, see the Wikipedia article Gentile.

Quotes

Judaism

"The descendants of Noah, i.e., all of humanity, were commanded to observe seven mitzvot." (Sanhedrin 56a:24)

• The descendants of Noah, i.e., all of humanity, were commanded to observe seven mitzvot: The mitzva of establishing courts of judgment; and the prohibition against blessing, i.e., cursing, the name of God; and the prohibition of idol worship; and the prohibition against forbidden sexual relations; and the prohibition of bloodshed; and the prohibition of robbery; and the prohibition against eating a limb from a living animal.
  • Talmud, Sanhedrin 56a:24
  • These seven laws are referred to as the Noahide Laws. They are considered to be binding on all of humanity (i.e., all the descendants of Noah).

• It is a mitzva for a gentile to study the halakhot that pertain to the seven Noahide mitzvot, and when he does so he is highly regarded.
  • Talmud, Sanhedrin 59a:5

Christianity

For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus.

• For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews: Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.
  • New Testament, 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16

• There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
  • New Testament, Galatians 3:28–29

Mormonism

• For none of these iniquities come of the Lord; for he doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile.
  • Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 26:33

Quotes about gentiles

• Gentiles persecuted the Jews for thousands of years before the Nazis got efficient at it.
  • Melanie Kaye/Kantrowitz: "Some Notes on Jewish Lesbian Identity". In Nice Jewish Girls: A Lesbian Anthology (1982).

See also

• Talmud on gentiles