In the biblical context, the term "strangers" often refers to foreigners or sojourners—individuals who are not native to the land in which they reside. The treatment and status of strangers are significant themes throughout the Scriptures, reflecting God's concern for justice, compassion, and hospitality.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for stranger is "ger," which denotes a foreigner residing temporarily or permanently among the Israelites. The Law of Moses contains numerous instructions regarding the treatment of strangers, emphasizing kindness and fairness. Leviticus 19:33-34 states, "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."

The Israelites' own experience as strangers in Egypt is frequently cited as a reason for their compassionate treatment of foreigners. This historical memory serves as a moral imperative, reminding them of their shared humanity and vulnerability.

Legal Protections and Responsibilities

Strangers in Israel were afforded certain legal protections and were expected to adhere to the laws of the land. Exodus 22:21 commands, "You must not exploit or oppress a foreign resident, for you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt." Additionally, Deuteronomy 10:18-19 highlights God's justice and love for the foreigner: "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."

Strangers were also included in religious observances and community life, as seen in Deuteronomy 16:14 , which instructs, "And you shall rejoice in your feast—you, your son and daughter, your male and female servants, the Levite, the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow among you."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the Greek word "xenos" is often used for strangers, and the theme of hospitality towards them is further developed. Jesus' teachings and parables frequently highlight the importance of welcoming and caring for strangers. In Matthew 25:35 , Jesus says, "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."

The early Christian community is encouraged to practice hospitality as a reflection of their faith. Hebrews 13:2 advises, "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it."

Spiritual Implications

The concept of strangers extends beyond mere social or legal considerations, carrying spiritual implications as well. Believers are often described as "strangers and exiles" in the world, reflecting their ultimate citizenship in heaven. 1 Peter 2:11 exhorts, "Beloved, I urge you as foreigners and exiles to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul."

The treatment of strangers serves as a test of faith and character, embodying the principles of love, mercy, and justice that are central to the biblical narrative. Through the consistent call to care for the stranger, the Bible underscores the universality of God's love and the call for His people to reflect that love in their interactions with others.1616. ger -- a sojourner
... gur Definition a sojourner NASB Word Usage alien (40), aliens (11), foreigners
(1), immigrants (1), sojourner (5), sojourners (2), stranger (25), stranger's (1 ...
/hebrew/1616.htm - 6k

The History and Life of the Reverend Doctor John Tauler
... The dry, dead linden-leaves; and, looking up,. He saw a stranger, weak, and poor,
and old. ... Tauler laid. His hand upon the stranger's coarse grey sleeve: ...
/.../the history and life of the reverend doctor john tauler/title page.htm

A Meeting in the Desert
... mystery of his errand was solved now, and he recognised the impulse to break through
conventional barriers and address the evidently dignified stranger, as the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/a meeting in the desert.htm

Jesus the Good Shepherd.
... know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from
him: for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable ...
/.../xxi jesus the good shepherd.htm

A Provision Ground
... ever! Now look at the vegetables. At the Bananas and Plantains first of all.
A stranger's eye would not distinguish them. The practical ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter xvi a provision ground.htm

But Having Asserted that Our Religion is Supported by the Writings ...
... exiles from their own land and clime, they roam over the whole world without either
a human or a heavenly king, not possessing even the stranger's right to set ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/chapter xxi but having asserted.htm

Of Faith.
... By faith the laws of marriage yoke together those who have lived as strangers: and
because of the faith in marriage contracts a stranger is made partner of a ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture v of faith.htm

Made Known in the Breaking of Bread.
... A Stranger, unrecognized, overtakes them and joins in their conversation. ... Then the
Stranger began speaking in a quiet, earnest way that caught them at once. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks about jesus/made known in the breaking.htm

The Resurrection: Gravity Upward. Matthew 28:1-15. Mark 16:1-8. ...
... Peter. Made Known in the Breaking of Bread: the Emmaus travellers"the
Stranger's explanation"the evening meal"the Master! ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks about jesus/6 the resurrection gravity upward.htm

"Thy King Cometh"
... Now, although the cattle on a thousand hills are His, He is dependent on a stranger's
kindness for an animal on which to enter Jerusalem as its King. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 63 thy king cometh.htm

At Jacob's Well
... the great deep, who opened the springs and channels of the earth, rested from His
weariness at Jacob's well, and was dependent upon a stranger's kindness for ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 19 at jacobs well.htm

Stranger's (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Stranger's (3 Occurrences). John 10:5 and a stranger
they will not follow, but will flee from him, because ...
/s/stranger's.htm - 7k

Foreigner (99 Occurrences)
... to or owning allegiance to a foreign country; one not native in the country or
jurisdiction under consideration, or not naturalized there; an alien; a stranger...
/f/foreigner.htm - 41k

Sojourner (81 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who sojourns. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
STRANGER AND SOJOURNER (IN THE APOCRYPHA AND THE NEW TESTAMENT). ...
/s/sojourner.htm - 48k

Temporary (13 Occurrences)
... 25:6 The Sabbath of the land shall be for food for you; for yourself, for your servant,
for your maid, for your hired servant, and for your stranger, who lives ...
/t/temporary.htm - 10k

Resident (6 Occurrences)
... 25:6 The Sabbath of the land shall be for food for you; for yourself, for your servant,
for your maid, for your hired servant, and for your stranger, who lives ...
/r/resident.htm - 8k

Blemishes (3 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 22:25 Neither from a stranger's hand shall ye offer the bread of your
God of any of these; because their corruption is in them, and blemishes be in ...
/b/blemishes.htm - 7k

Clan (96 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 25:47 "'If a stranger or sojourner with you becomes rich, and your brother
beside him has grown poor, and sells himself to the stranger or foreigner ...
/c/clan.htm - 32k

Alien's (1 Occurrence)
... Leviticus 25:47 "'If a stranger or sojourner with you becomes rich, and your brother
beside him has grown poor, and sells himself to the stranger or foreigner ...
/a/alien's.htm - 6k

Sarai (13 Occurrences)
... The earthly majesty of Pharaoh had to bow before the divine majesty, which plagued
him and secured the stranger's exodus, thus foreshadowing those later ...
/s/sarai.htm - 20k

Sells (14 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 25:47 "'If a stranger or sojourner with you becomes rich, and your brother
beside him has grown poor, and sells himself to the stranger or foreigner ...
/s/sells.htm - 10k

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