Glossary Term
Risk: High- Approved rendering
- גויים
- Transliteration
- goyim
- Rejected alternatives
- עמים
Gentiles
Biblically neutral (even used of Israel itself, ‘goy kadosh,’ Exodus 19:6) but has acquired a mildly to strongly pejorative colloquial shade in everyday Modern Hebrew/Yiddish-inflected usage. Romans’ argument for full Jew-Gentile dignity and unity requires this term to be handled so its everyday connotation doesn’t undercut the text’s inclusive intent.
Referenced passages