Alien

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Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Alien

Alien [E]

See Foreigner

Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology. Edited by Walter A. Elwell
Copyright © 1996 by Walter A. Elwell. Published by Baker Books, a division of
Baker Book House Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan USA.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.

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[E] indicates this entry was also found in Easton's Bible Dictionary
Bibliography Information

Elwell, Walter A. "Entry for 'Alien'". "Evangelical Dictionary of Theology". . 1997.

Easton's Bible Dictionary - Alien

Alien [B]

a foreigner, or person born in another country, and therefore not entitled to the rights and privileges of the country where he resides. Among the Hebrews there were two classes of aliens.

  • Those who were strangers generally, and who owned no landed property.

  • Strangers dwelling in another country without being naturalized ( Leviticus 22:10 ; Psalms 39:12 ).

    Both of these classes were to enjoy, under certain conditions, the same rights as other citizens ( Leviticus 19:33 Leviticus 19:34 ; Deuteronomy 10:19 ). They might be naturalized and permitted to enter into the congregation of the Lord by submitting to circumcision and abandoning idolatry ( Deuteronomy 23:3-8 ).

    This term is used ( Ephesians 2:12 ) to denote persons who have no interest in Christ.

    These dictionary topics are from
    M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition,
    published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain, copy freely.
    [B] indicates this entry was also found in Baker's Evangelical Dictionary
    Bibliography Information

    Easton, Matthew George. "Entry for Alien". "Easton's Bible Dictionary". .

    • International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Alien

    ALIEN

    al'-yen:

    Found in the King James Version for ger, (Exodus 18:3) = "guest," hence: "foreigner," "sojourner" the Revised Version (British and American); also for nekhar (Isaiah 61:5) = "foreign," "a foreigner" the Revised Version (British and American) (concrete), "heathendom" (abstract), "alien," "strange" (-er), and for nokhri (Deuteronomy 14:21 the Revised Version (British and American) "foreigner"; compare Job 19:15; Psalms 69:8; Lamentations 5:2)--"strange," in a variety of degrees and meanings: "foreign," "non-relative," "adulterous," "different," "wonderful," "alien," "outlandish," "strange." In the New Testament we find apellotriomenos (Ephesians 4:18; Colossians 1:21) = "being alienated," and allotrios (Hebrews 11:34) = "another's," "not one's own," hence: "foreign," "not akin," "hostile." In the Old Testament the expression was taken in its literal sense, referring to those who were not Israelites--the heathen; in the New Testament it is given a figurative meaning, as indicating those who have not become naturalized in the kingdom of God, hence are outside of Christ and the blessing of the gospel.

    Frank E. Hirsch

    Copyright Statement
    These files are public domain.

    Bibliography Information
    Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Entry for 'ALIEN'". "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". 1915.