King James Bible Dictionary

(Heb. plural goyum). At first the word goyim denoted generally all the nations of the world (Genesis 18:18; comp. Galatians 3:8). The Jews afterwards became a people distinguished in a marked manner from the other goyim. They were a separate people (Leviticus 20:23; 26:14-45; Deuteronomy 28), and the other nations, the Amorites, Hittites, etc., were the goyim, the heathen, with whom the Jews were forbidden to be associated in any way (Joshua 23:7; 1 Kings 11:2). The practice of idolatry was the characteristic of these nations, and hence the word came to designate idolaters (Psalms 106:47; Jeremiah 46:28; Lamentations 1:3; Isaiah 36:18), the wicked (Psalms 9:5, 15, 17).

The corresponding Greek word in the New Testament, ethne, has similar shades of meaning. In Acts 22:21, Galatians 3:14, it denotes the people of the earth generally; and in Matthew 6:7, an idolater. In modern usage the word denotes all nations that are strangers to revealed religion.

All who are not embraced under the Abrahamic covenant.

Cast out of Canaan
Leviticus 18:24-25; Psalms 44:2

Cast out of Canaan and their land given to Israel
Psalms 78:55; Psalms 105:44; Psalms 135:12; Psalms 136:21-22; Isaiah 54:1-3

Excluded from the temple
Lamentations 1:10

Wicked practices of
Idolatry

Divine revelations given to:

Abimelech
Genesis 20:3-7

Pharaoh
Genesis 41:1-28

Balaam
Genesis 4:22

Nebuchadnezzar
Daniel 4:1-18

Belshazzar
Daniel 5:5; Daniel 5:24-29

Cyrus
2 Chronicles 36:23; Ezra 1:1-4

The magi
Matthew 2:1-11

The centurion
Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:2-9

Cornelius
Acts 10:1-7

Pious people among

Pious people among
Isaiah 65:5; Acts 10:35

Instances of:

Melchizedek
Genesis 14:18-20

Abimelech
Genesis 1:20

Balaam
Genesis 4:22

Jethro
Genesis 2:18

Cyrus
Ezra 1:1-3

Eliphaz
Ezra 18:4

Bildad
Ezra 18:8

Zophar
Ezra 18:11

Elihu
Ezra 18:32

Nebuchadnezzar, after his restoration
Ezra 27:4

The Ninevites
Jonah 3:5-10

The magi
Matthew 2:1-12

The centurion of Capernaum
Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:2-9

Of Caesarea
Luke 44:10
Gentiles

[GENTILES]

HE'ATHEN, noun [Gr. from heath, that is, one who lives in the country or woods, as pagan from pagus, a village.]

1. A pagan; a Gentile; one who worships idols, or is unacquainted with the true God. In the Scriptures, the word seems to comprehend all nations except the Jews or Israelites, as they were all strangers to the true religion, and all addicted to idolatry. The word may now be applied perhaps to all nations, except to Christians and Mohammedans.

Heathen, without the plural termination, is used plurally or collectively, for Gentiles or heathen nations.

Ask of me, and I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance. Psalms 2:8.

Heathen, however, has a plural, expressing two or more individuals.

If men have reason to be heathens in Japan--

The precepts and examples of the ancient heathens.

2. A rude, illiterate, barbarous person.

HE'ATHEN, adjective Gentile, pagan; as a heathen author.

HE'ATHENISH, adjective Belonging to Gentiles or pagans; as heathenish rites.

1. Rude; illiterate; wild; uncivilized.

2. Barbarous; savage; cruel; rapacious.

HE'ATHENISHLY, adverb After the manner of heathens.

HE'ATHENISM, noun Gentilism; paganism; ignorance of the true God; idolatry; the rites or system of religion of a pagan nation.

1. Rudeness; barbarism; ignorance.

HE'ATHENIZE, verb transitive To render heathen or heathenish.