Topical Encyclopedia In biblical literature, the terms "stranger" and "sojourner" hold significant theological and social implications, reflecting the broader biblical themes of hospitality, inclusion, and the transient nature of human life. These terms are particularly noteworthy in the Apocrypha and the New Testament, where they are used to convey both literal and metaphorical meanings.Apocrypha The Apocryphal books, while not included in the Protestant canon, provide valuable insights into Jewish thought and practice during the intertestamental period. In these texts, the treatment of strangers and sojourners often reflects the Jewish community's experiences of exile and diaspora. For instance, in the Book of Tobit, the protagonist Tobit is depicted as a righteous Israelite living in Nineveh, a city of exile. Tobit emphasizes the importance of almsgiving and hospitality towards strangers, reflecting the Jewish ethical tradition of caring for the marginalized. Tobit 4:16 advises, "Give of your bread to the hungry, and of your clothing to the naked; give all your surplus to charity, and do not let your eye begrudge the gift when you make it." Similarly, in the Wisdom of Solomon, the transient nature of life is highlighted, and the righteous are described as "strangers" in the world, emphasizing their ultimate citizenship in the divine realm. This reflects a broader theological theme where the faithful are seen as pilgrims journeying towards a heavenly homeland. New Testament In the New Testament, the concepts of stranger and sojourner are expanded and deepened, particularly through the teachings of Jesus and the writings of the apostles. The New Testament underscores the call to love and welcome strangers, reflecting the inclusive nature of the Gospel. Jesus Himself identifies with the stranger in Matthew 25:35, where He states, "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 idea that service to the stranger is service to Christ Himself, elevating the act of hospitality to a divine mandate. The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, frequently uses the metaphor of sojourning to describe the Christian life. 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 language of citizenship and household conveys the transformation from alienation to belonging through faith in Christ. The Epistle to the Hebrews also employs the imagery of sojourning, urging believers to view themselves as pilgrims on earth. Hebrews 11:13 speaks of the patriarchs, stating, "All these people died in faith, without having received the things they were promised. However, they saw them and welcomed them from afar, and they acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth." This passage highlights the faith-driven journey towards a heavenly city, reinforcing the transient nature of earthly life. The First Epistle of Peter further elaborates on this theme, encouraging believers to live as "foreigners and exiles" (1 Peter 2:11), abstaining from worldly desires and maintaining honorable conduct among the Gentiles. This exhortation reflects the call to live distinctively as God's people, even amidst a foreign culture. In summary, the Apocrypha and the New Testament present a rich tapestry of meanings associated with strangers and sojourners. These texts call believers to a life of hospitality, faith, and hope, recognizing their ultimate citizenship in the kingdom of God. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Stranger and Sojourner in the Apocrypha and the New TestamentSTRANGER AND SOJOURNER (IN THE APOCRYPHA AND THE NEW TESTAMENT) The technical meaning attaching to the Hebrew terms is not present in the Greek words translated "stranger" and "sojourner," and the distinctions made by English Versions of the Bible are partly only to give uniformity in the translation. For "stranger" the usual Greek word is xenos, meaning primarily "guest" and so appearing in the combination "hatred toward guests" in The Wisdom of Solomon 19:13 (misoxenia). Xenos is the most common word for "stranger" in the New Testament (Matthew 25:35, etc.), but it seems not to be used by itself with this force in the Apocrypha. Almost equally common in the New Testament is allotrios, "belonging to another" (Matthew 17:25, 26 John 10:5 (bis)), and this is the usual word in the Apocrypha (Sirach 8:18; 1 Maccabees 1:38, etc.), but for some inexplicable reason the Revised Version (British and American) occasionally translates by "alien" (contrast, e.g. 1 Maccabees 1:38; 2:7). Compare the corresponding verb apallotrioo (Ephesians 2:12; Ephesians 4:18 Colossians 1:21). With the definite meaning of "foreigner" are allogenes, "of another nation," the Revised Version (British and American) "stranger" (1 Esdras 8:83; 1 Maccabees 3:45 (the King James Version "alien"); Luke 17:18 (the Revised Version margin "alien")), and allophulos, "of another tribe," the Revised Version (British and American) "stranger" (Baruch 6:5; 1 Maccabees 4:12, etc.) or "of another nation" (Acts 10:28). For "to sojourn" the commonest form is paroikeo, "to dwell beside," the Revised Version (British and American) always "to sojourn" (Judith 5:7; Sirach 41:19; Luke 24:18 (the King James Version "to be a stranger"); Hebrews 11:9). The corresponding noun for "sojourner" is paroikos (Sirach 29:26 (the King James Version "stranger"); Acts 7:6, 26 Ephesians 2:19 1 Peter 2:11), with paroikia, "sojourning" (The Wisdom of Solomon 19:10; Sirach 16:8; Acts 13:17 (the King James Version "dwelling as strangers"); 1 Peter 1:17). In addition, epidemeo, "to be among people," is translated "to sojourn" in Acts 2:10; Acts 17:21, and its compound parepidemos, as "sojourner" in 1 Peter 1:1 (in Hebrews 11:13 1 Peter 2:11, "pilgrim"). Library Appendix xii. The Baptism of Proselytes A Traveler's Note-Book Resources What is the meaning of Jacob wrestling with God? | GotQuestions.orgHow does oppressing the poor show contempt for their Maker (Proverbs 14:31)? | GotQuestions.org Should a Christian co-sign on a loan? | GotQuestions.org Stranger: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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