Topical Encyclopedia In the context of the Bible, the term "aliens" typically refers to foreigners or strangers—those who are not native to the land in which they reside. The concept of aliens is addressed in various passages, emphasizing themes of hospitality, justice, and the inclusion of non-Israelites within the community of God's people.Old Testament References 1. Hospitality and Treatment of Aliens: The Old Testament law contains numerous instructions regarding the treatment of aliens. In Leviticus 19:33-34 , it is written: "When a foreigner resides with you in your land, you must not oppress him. You must treat the foreigner living among you as native-born and love him as yourself, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God." This command underscores the importance of empathy and kindness towards those who are not native Israelites, reminding the Israelites of their own history as aliens in Egypt. 2. Legal Protections: Aliens were afforded certain legal protections under Mosaic Law. Deuteronomy 24:17-18 states: "Do not deny justice to the foreigner or the fatherless, and do not take a widow’s cloak as security. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you from there. That is why I am commanding you to do this." This passage highlights the expectation of justice and fairness for all, including aliens. 3. Participation in Religious Life: Aliens were also allowed to participate in certain religious practices. In Numbers 15:14-16 , it is noted: "And if a foreigner resides with you or someone else is among you and wants to offer a food offering as a pleasing aroma to the LORD, he is to do as you do. The assembly is to have the same statute for both you and the foreigner residing with you; this is a permanent statute for the generations to come. You and the foreigner shall be the same before the LORD." New Testament References 1. Spiritual Aliens: The New Testament expands the concept of aliens to include spiritual dimensions. In Ephesians 2:19 , Paul writes: "Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household." Here, the term "foreigners" is used metaphorically to describe those who were once outside the covenant community but have now been brought near through Christ. 2. The Church as a Welcoming Community: The early Christian community is depicted as one that transcends ethnic and cultural boundaries, welcoming all who come to faith in Christ. In Galatians 3:28 , Paul declares: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." This unity in Christ breaks down the barriers that once separated Jews from Gentiles, including the alien. 3. Pilgrims and Sojourners: Believers are often described as aliens and strangers in the world, emphasizing their temporary status on earth and their ultimate citizenship in heaven. In 1 Peter 2:11 , Peter exhorts: "Beloved, I urge you as foreigners and exiles to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul." This imagery encourages Christians to live with an eternal perspective, recognizing their true home is with God. Theological Implications The biblical treatment of aliens reflects God's concern for justice, compassion, and inclusion. It serves as a reminder of the Israelites' own history as aliens and the broader spiritual truth of humanity's alienation from God due to sin. Through Christ, believers are reconciled and welcomed into God's family, transcending earthly divisions and becoming part of a new, inclusive community. The call to love and welcome the alien is a reflection of God's own character and His redemptive plan for all nations. Topical Bible Verses Jeremiah 7:6If you oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt: Topicalbible.org Matthew 25:43 Matthew 25:38 Matthew 25:35 2 Samuel 22:46 Joshua 20:9 Numbers 35:15 Numbers 15:14 Numbers 15:15 Greek 3927. parepidemos -- sojourning in a strange place ... Word Origin from para and epidemos (sojourning in) Definition sojourning in a strange place NASB Word Usage exiles (1), reside as aliens (1), strangers (1). ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3927.htm - 7k 3941. paroikos -- dwelling near, foreign 4899. suneklektos -- chosen together with Strong's Hebrew 1481a. gur -- to sojourn... root Definition to sojourn NASB Word Usage abide* (1), alien (1), aliens (1), assemble (1), colonize (1), dwell (3), dwells (1), habitation (1), live (4), live ... /hebrew/1481a.htm - 5k 5237. nokri -- foreign, alien 5236. nekar -- that which is foreign, foreignness 2114a. zur -- to be a stranger 1121. ben -- son 1616. ger -- a sojourner Library Further Examples from the Old Testament in Favour of Fasting. How the Whole and the Sick are to be Admonished. Introduction. Psalm LIV. On Psalm Lxii. 6 Another Fragment . Also Another Felix of Ammacura Said: "I Too... Ephesians ii. 11, 12 Death of Liberius, Bishop of Rome. He is Succeeded by Damasus and ... For those who First, when the Persecution Waxed Warm... Thesaurus Aliens (53 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance Aliens (53 Occurrences). Acts 7:6 God spoke in this way: that his seed would live as aliens in a strange ... /a/aliens.htm - 22k Oppress (57 Occurrences) Package (1 Occurrence) Alien (102 Occurrences) Sojourner (81 Occurrences) Stranger (152 Occurrences) Strangers (95 Occurrences) Valiant (66 Occurrences) Violence (98 Occurrences) Uplifted (26 Occurrences) Resources If aliens were proved to exist, how would that discovery impact the Christian faith? | GotQuestions.orgAre there such things as aliens or UFOs? | GotQuestions.org How should a Christian respond to illegal aliens/illegal immigrants? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Aliens (53 Occurrences)Acts 7:6 Acts 13:17 Ephesians 2:12 Ephesians 2:19 Hebrews 11:13 Hebrews 11:34 1 Peter 1:1 1 Peter 2:11 Exodus 6:4 Exodus 22:21 Exodus 23:9 Leviticus 17:8 Leviticus 17:10 Leviticus 17:13 Leviticus 18:26 Leviticus 19:34 Leviticus 20:2 Leviticus 22:18 Leviticus 25:6 Leviticus 25:23 Leviticus 25:45 Numbers 15:26 Numbers 19:10 Numbers 35:15 Deuteronomy 10:19 Deuteronomy 14:29 Deuteronomy 16:11 Deuteronomy 16:14 Deuteronomy 24:14 Deuteronomy 26:11 Deuteronomy 29:11 Deuteronomy 31:12 Joshua 8:35 2 Samuel 4:3 1 Chronicles 22:2 2 Chronicles 2:17 2 Chronicles 30:25 Psalms 144:7 Psalms 144:11 Isaiah 1:7 Isaiah 2:6 Isaiah 14:1 Isaiah 25:2 Isaiah 56:6 Isaiah 60:10 Isaiah 61:5 Jeremiah 51:51 Lamentations 5:2 Ezekiel 44:7 Ezekiel 47:22 Hosea 7:9 Hosea 8:7 Malachi 3:5 Subtopics Aliens: Forbidden to Eat the Passover Aliens: Hospitality To, Required by Jesus Aliens: Jews Authorized to Purchase, As Slaves Aliens: Jews Authorized to Take Usury From Aliens: Jews not Permitted to Make Kings of Aliens: Kindness to Edomites, Enjoined Aliens: Numerous in Times of David and Solomon Aliens: Partially Exempt from Jewish Law Aliens: Religious Privileges of Aliens: To be Treated With Justice Related Terms |