Topical Bible: The Jews: Held No Intercourse With Strangers

◄ The Jews: Held No Intercourse With Strangers ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The Jewish people, as depicted in the Bible, maintained a distinct separation from surrounding nations and cultures, a practice rooted in their covenantal relationship with God. This separation was both a physical and spiritual boundary, intended to preserve their identity as God's chosen people and to prevent the influence of pagan practices and idolatry.

Biblical Foundation

The foundation for this separation is found in the Torah, where God commands the Israelites to remain distinct from other nations. In Leviticus 20:26 , God declares, "You are to be holy to Me because I, the LORD, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be My own." This call to holiness and separation is reiterated throughout the Old Testament.

Prohibition of Intermarriage

One of the primary ways the Jews maintained their separation was through the prohibition of intermarriage with foreign nations. In Deuteronomy 7:3-4 , God instructs the Israelites, "Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, for they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods." This command was intended to prevent the Israelites from being led astray by foreign influences and to ensure their exclusive devotion to Yahweh.

Cultural and Religious Practices

The Jews also held no intercourse with strangers through their distinct cultural and religious practices. The observance of the Sabbath, dietary laws, and festivals set them apart from other nations. These practices were not merely cultural markers but were deeply tied to their identity and covenant with God. In Exodus 31:13 , God emphasizes the significance of the Sabbath: "You must observe My Sabbaths, for it is a sign between Me and you for the generations to come, so that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you."

Avoidance of Pagan Practices

The Jews were also commanded to avoid the pagan practices of surrounding nations. In Deuteronomy 18:9 , God warns, "When you enter the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there." This command underscores the importance of maintaining purity in worship and practice, avoiding any form of idolatry or syncretism.

Historical Context

Throughout their history, the Jews faced numerous challenges in maintaining their separation from other nations. The Babylonian exile and subsequent interactions with empires such as Persia, Greece, and Rome brought significant pressure to assimilate. Despite these challenges, many Jews remained steadfast in their commitment to God's commandments, as seen in the accounts of Daniel, Esther, and the Maccabees.

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, the early Jewish Christians grappled with the question of how to relate to Gentile believers. While the gospel message was extended to all nations, the early church sought to maintain the moral and spiritual distinctiveness of the faith. Acts 15 records the Jerusalem Council's decision, which allowed Gentile converts to join the church without adhering to all Jewish customs, yet emphasized abstaining from practices associated with idolatry.

Conclusion

The Jewish practice of holding no intercourse with strangers was a means of preserving their unique identity and devotion to God. This separation was not merely cultural but was deeply rooted in their covenantal relationship with Yahweh, serving as a testament to their calling as a holy nation.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 4:9
Then said the woman of Samaria to him, How is it that you, being a Jew, ask drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 11:2,3
And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

In Palestine - Jews and Gentiles in the Land' - their Mutual ...
... may be imagined in what contempt other nations were held. ... may be thus summarised:
To prevent Jews from being ... No intercourse of any kind was to be had with such ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vii in palestine -.htm

Jews and Gentiles in "The Land"
... even though, to humour the Jews, none of ... It was miserably divided, even though no
outward separation ... The Pharisees and Sadducees held opposite principles, and ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 2 jews and gentiles.htm

In Galilee at the Time of Our Lord
... Travellers of every description"Jews, Greeks, Romans, dwellers in ... here mentioning
them, we have no hesitation in ... even after His resurrection held there sweet ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 3 in galilee at.htm

A Treatise to Prove that no one Can Harm the Man who Does not ...
... that all through the former time you were held in the ... So, at least, the Jews were
not profited by those great ... the palace no better than a prison, no safer than ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/a treatise to prove that.htm

Jesus at the Well.
... This narrative shows that it was held lawful to buy food in a ... words of this verse
must be understood to mean that the Jews had no hospitable intercourse ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/jesus at the well.htm

Third Sunday after Easter
... such is the case with the world, the Jews, the Turks ... a king, and cast not aside his
crown; no, he retained ... He held his office as a God-intrusted one, in the ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/third sunday after easter.htm

Gregory the Great, Bishop of Rome.
... thanks for the Divine grace, but held it necessary ... of others, there would have been
no intercourse between them ... zealots who forcibly compelled the Jews in Italy ...
/.../neander/light in the dark places/gregory the great bishop of.htm

Commerce
... many restrictions to the intercourse between Jews and Gentiles ... But no philosopher
would ever have imagined or thought ... what low esteem pedlars were held by the ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 12 commerce.htm

Faustus Rejects the Old Testament Because it Leaves no Room for ...
... This applies chiefly to the Jews who believe in Christ ... and so with everything that
has been held sacred before ... love, the Israel in whom there is no guile, who ...
/.../faustus rejects the old testament.htm

Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House ...
... Indeed, it was held lawful to make false returns, to speak ... did the Gospel of Christ
to the Jews of Palestine ... to collect customs and dues would now no more know ...
/.../sketches of jewish social life/chapter 4 travelling in palestineroads.htm