In the context of the Bible, "proselytes" refers to individuals who have converted to Judaism from other ethnic or religious backgrounds. The term is derived from the Greek word "prosēlytos," meaning "stranger" or "sojourner," and is used to describe those who have embraced the Jewish faith and its practices, despite not being born into the Jewish community.

Old Testament Context

While the specific term "proselyte" is not used in the Old Testament, the concept is present. The Hebrew Scriptures make provisions for "foreigners" or "sojourners" who wish to live among the Israelites and worship Yahweh. For instance, Exodus 12:48-49 states, "If a foreigner resides with you and wants to celebrate the Passover to the LORD, all the males in his household must be circumcised; then he may take part like one born in the land. No uncircumcised man may eat of it. The same law shall apply to both the native and the foreigner who resides among you." This passage indicates that foreigners could fully participate in the religious life of Israel if they adhered to the covenantal sign of circumcision and the laws of the community.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, proselytes are mentioned explicitly, reflecting the continued presence and significance of converts to Judaism during the Second Temple period. Acts 2:10 lists proselytes among those present at Pentecost: "Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism)." This indicates that proselytes were part of the diverse group of people who witnessed the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

Furthermore, Acts 6:5 mentions Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, as one of the seven men chosen to serve in the early church: "This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism." This highlights the integration of proselytes into the early Christian community, demonstrating their acceptance and active participation in the nascent church.

Cultural and Religious Significance

Proselytes in the Jewish tradition were expected to undergo a process of conversion that included circumcision for males, immersion in a ritual bath (mikveh), and the acceptance of the commandments of the Torah. This conversion process signified a complete and sincere commitment to the Jewish faith and its practices.

The presence of proselytes in the Jewish community underscores the universal aspect of the Jewish faith, which, while centered on a specific ethnic group, was open to those from other nations who sought to worship the God of Israel. This openness is reflected in the prophetic vision of a future where all nations would come to worship Yahweh, as seen in passages like Isaiah 56:6-7 : "And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD to minister to Him, to love the name of the LORD, and to be His servants, all who keep the Sabbath without profaning it and who hold fast to My covenant—I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer."

Role in Early Christianity

The early Christian movement, emerging from a Jewish context, naturally included proselytes among its members. The inclusion of proselytes in the early church reflects the broader mission of Christianity to reach all peoples, transcending ethnic and cultural boundaries. This is consistent with the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19 , where Jesus instructs His disciples to "go and make disciples of all nations."

In summary, proselytes played a significant role in both Jewish and early Christian communities, representing the openness of these faiths to those outside their ethnic boundaries who sought to join in worship and community life.Esther 8:17
And in every province, and in every city, wherever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell on them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 56:3
Neither let the son of the stranger, that has joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD has utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Appendix xii. The Baptism of Proselytes
... who is also described as a proselyte (Sanh.96 b, line 19 form the bottom). But is
is said that in the days of David and Solomon proselytes were not admitted by ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix xii the baptism of.htm

The Power of Christianity.
... and exhibited a picture of hopeless corruption and decay, as described in the ... But
who among his disciples, or among their proselytes, was capable of inventing ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 44 the power of.htm

Jeremiah and Deuteronomy. (Chs. vii, viii. 8, xi. )
... Deuteronomy is fairly described as a fresh codification of the ancient laws of ... Save
for possible proselytes from the neighbouring heathen, Israel is alone ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/3 jeremiah and deuteronomy chs.htm

The Epistle to the Philippians
... It is described in Acts 16:12 as, "the chief city of that part of ... there was no synagogue,
so that the small band of Jews and proselytes simply repaired to the ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the epistle to the philippians.htm

The Conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch.
... person, for whose sake the Evangelist was sent on the mission, is thus described. ...
Yet, some of the Jews and proselytes, in distant regions, who were zealous ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xi the conversion of.htm

The Evening of the Third Day in Passion-Week - on the Mount of ...
... reason, that in the final war and rebellion those proselytes would, from ... whether
the fiery torments suffered (which are very realistically described) would at ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vi the evening of.htm

The Pastoral Epistles
... We conclude, therefore, that while the organization of the Church described in the ...
the gospel was first brought to Crete by those Jews or proselytes from Crete ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter xvii the pastoral epistles.htm

The Day of Pentecost.
... The other sign which accompanied this miracle is described in the third verse. ... of
Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture ii the day of.htm

Alexandria and Rome - the Jewish Communities in the Capitals of ...
... was laid among the urns of the emperors; [318] or among real proselytes, like those ...
One of these vessels is described as 180 by 45 feet and of about 1,575 tons ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter v alexandria and rome.htm

The Night of Miracles on the Lake of Gennesaret
... to the different condition of Israel after the time described in Hosea 3 ... R.11, the
expression is connected with their ingathering of proselytes in fulfilment of ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxx the night of.htm

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