In the context of the Bible, the term "alien" refers to foreigners or sojourners—those who are not native to the land in which they reside. The Scriptures provide various instructions regarding the treatment and rights of aliens, emphasizing justice, compassion, and inclusion within the community of God's people.

Old Testament Instructions

The Old Testament contains numerous references to the treatment of aliens, often highlighting the importance of fairness and kindness. In Exodus 22:21 , God commands the Israelites, "You must not exploit or oppress a foreign resident, for you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt." This directive is rooted in the Israelites' own experience as aliens in Egypt, serving as a reminder of their obligation to treat others with the same compassion they desired.

Leviticus 19:33-34 further elaborates on this principle: "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." Here, the command to love the foreigner as oneself underscores the expectation of equitable treatment and integration into the community.

The rights of aliens also extend to participation in religious observances. In Numbers 15:15-16 , God instructs, "The assembly is to have the same statute for both you and the foreign resident; it is a permanent statute for the generations to come. You and the foreigner shall be the same before the LORD. The same law and the same ordinance will apply both to you and to the foreigner residing with you." This inclusion signifies that aliens were to be considered equal participants in the religious life of Israel.

Judicial and Economic Protections

The Mosaic Law also provides judicial and economic protections for aliens. Deuteronomy 24:14-15 states, "Do not oppress a hired hand who is poor and needy, whether he is a brother or a foreigner residing in one of your towns. You are to pay his wages each day before sunset, because he is poor and depends on them; otherwise he may cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin." This passage emphasizes the importance of fair labor practices and timely compensation, regardless of the worker's nationality.

Additionally, Deuteronomy 10:18-19 highlights God's care for aliens: "He executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and He loves the foreigner, giving him food and clothing. So you also must love the foreigner, since you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt." This divine example sets a standard for the Israelites to follow, ensuring that aliens receive justice and provision.

New Testament Perspective

The New Testament continues the theme of inclusivity and love for the foreigner. While the specific term "alien" is less frequently used, the principles of hospitality and equality are evident. In Matthew 25:35 , Jesus teaches, "For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in." This passage underscores the importance of welcoming and caring for strangers, reflecting the broader Christian ethic of love and service.

The Apostle Paul, in Galatians 3:28 , affirms the equality of all believers: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." This declaration of unity in Christ transcends ethnic and social distinctions, suggesting that the rights and dignity of all individuals, including aliens, are to be respected within the Christian community.

Conclusion

The biblical mandate concerning the rights of aliens is clear: they are to be treated with justice, compassion, and love. The consistent message throughout Scripture is one of inclusion and equality, reflecting God's character and His desire for His people to embody these values in their interactions with others.Numbers 35:15
These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that kills any person unawares may flee thither.
Nave's Topical Index

Joshua 20:9
These were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojournes among them, that whoever kills any person at unawares might flee thither, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until he stood before the congregation.
Nave's Topical Index

Ezekiel 47:22,23
And it shall come to pass, that you shall divide it by lot for an inheritance to you, and to the strangers that sojourn among you, which shall beget children among you: and they shall be to you as born in the country among the children of Israel; they shall have inheritance with you among the tribes of Israel.
Nave's Topical Index

3941. paroikos -- dwelling near, foreign
... locale as a with limited rights (identification). Word Origin from para and oikos
Definition dwelling near, foreign NASB Word Usage alien (1), aliens (3). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3941.htm - 7k

The Sethians Support their Doctrines by an Allegorical ...
... also employed in civil affairs, to designate, for instance at Athens, those who
protected the metoikoi (aliens), and others without the rights of citizenship. ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter xv the sethians support their.htm

Still Another Triplet
... They are not absolute and unconditioned rights, but are subject to the highest ... When
believers were a body of aliens, dispersed through the world, and when, as ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/still another triplet.htm

'The Chief Corner-Stone'
... As Paul says in the context, the Ephesians had been strangers, 'aliens from the ... as
being that of strangers and foreigners, lacking the rights of citizenship ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/the chief corner-stone.htm

Sermon for Christmas Day
... us, in that He hath looked down upon us, who were His enemies, aliens and afar ... too
ill of their neighbours, or to harshness, to trespass on the rights of others ...
/.../iv sermon for christmas day.htm

The Letter of the Church of Rome
... [15] The Greek word implies a colony of aliens without full civic rights. Christians
are strangers and pilgrims on earth, their true fatherland being heaven. ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/the letter of the church.htm

Passing Years
... as he was with shame and anguish, had maintained the violated rights of humanity ...
And both of them were left under the tutelage of rival aliens, who, it was clear ...
/.../chapter x passing years.htm

Treatise v. An Address to Demetrianus.
... this world of ours and depart from it after a time with equal rights, [3418] and
by ... the day of the Lord cometh, burning as an oven; and all the aliens and all ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/treatise v an address to.htm

The Fifth Book
... they lack any title to their holdings and forfeit the very rights of liberty. ... begin
to count those whom they have received as outsiders and aliens, as their ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the fifth book.htm

Life from the Dead
... 12. Being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel,. Outsiders, rank outsiders, far
away from any rights, or any participation in the rights of God's children. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/life from the dead.htm

This Doctrine Confirmed by Proofs from Scripture.
... Israel which are of Israel;" for though all were blessed in respect of hereditary
rights yet all ... Nay, they were aliens, but he makes them his by delivering them ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 22 this doctrine confirmed.htm

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