The Presence of Foreigners in the Promised Land

The Biblical Concept of Foreigners in the Promised Land

The presence of foreigners in the Promised Land is a recurring theme throughout the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament. The term "foreigner" or "stranger" refers to individuals of non-Israelite extraction residing within the land of Israel ^[1]. These individuals were distinct from the native Israelites and were subject to specific laws and regulations.

The biblical account notes that the Promised Land was inhabited by various nations before the Israelites, including the Perizzites, Hittites, and Amorites ^[2]. The Israelites were instructed to treat these foreigners with kindness and respect, with laws regulating their interactions ^[7]. For example, the Israelites were commanded not to oppress or mistreat foreigners, but rather to love them as themselves (Leviticus 19:33-34).

The presence of foreigners in the Promised Land was not limited to the pre-Israelite inhabitants. Many foreigners came to reside in Israel for various reasons, including seeking employment, as captives taken in war, or as servants ^[3]. Some foreigners even sought to worship the God of Israel and were welcomed into the community ^[6].

The biblical text highlights the importance of treating foreigners with justice and compassion. The Israelites were reminded that they were once foreigners in Egypt and that God had shown them kindness and mercy (Deuteronomy 10:18-19). The Psalmist also notes that God protects and cares for foreigners, providing for their needs ^[4].

In the New Testament, the concept of foreigners is further developed. The author of Hebrews notes that Abraham lived as a foreigner in the Promised Land, dwelling in tents and awaiting the fulfillment of God's promise ^{[5, 8]}. This understanding of the Israelites as foreigners in the land is echoed in the writings of early Christian theologians, who saw the earthly Jerusalem as a shadow of the heavenly city ^[13].

The treatment of foreigners in the Promised Land has been interpreted in various ways throughout history. Jewish tradition, as represented by Maimonides, understands the concept of a "resident alien" to refer to a gentile who has committed to observing certain laws and is permitted to dwell among the Israelites ^[10]. In contrast, Christian interpreters have seen the biblical laws regarding foreigners as a demonstration of God's concern for justice and compassion ^{[9, 11]}.

The biblical account of foreigners in the Promised Land highlights the complex and multifaceted nature of this concept. While the Israelites were instructed to treat foreigners with kindness and respect, the presence of foreigners also posed challenges to the community's identity and faith. The biblical text provides a nuanced understanding of the role of foreigners in the Promised Land, emphasizing both the importance of hospitality and the need for maintaining the community's distinctiveness.

The theme of foreigners in the Promised Land continues to be relevant in contemporary discussions of identity, community, and justice. As the biblical text demonstrates, the presence of foreigners has always been a complex and multifaceted issue, requiring careful consideration and nuanced understanding ^[12].

Sources

Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Stranger — A "stranger," in the technical sense of the term, may be defined to be a person of foreign, i.e. non-Israelitish, extraction resident within the limits of the promised land. He was distinct from the proper "foreigner," inasmuch as the latter still belonged to another country, and would only visit Palestine as a traveller: he was still more distinct from the "nations," or non-Israelite peoples. The term may be compared with our expression "naturalized foreigner." The terms applied to the "stranger" have special reference to the fact of residing in the land. ”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Perizzite, The — and Per'izzites (belonging to a village), one of the nations inhabiting the land of promise before and at the time of its conquest by Israel. (B.C. 1450.) They are continually mentioned in the formula so frequently occurring to express the promised land. (Genesis 15:20; Exodus 3:8,17; 23:23; 33:2; 34:11) The notice in the book of Judges locates them in the southern part of the holy land. The signification of the name is not by any means clear. It possibly meant rustics, dwellers in open, unwalled villages, which are denoted by a similar word.”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Strangers In Israel — All foreigners sojourning in Israel were counted as -- Ex 12:49. Under the care and protection of God -- De 10:18; Ps 146:9. Very numerous in Solomon's reign -- 2Ch 2:17. Chiefly consisted of The remnant of the mixed multitude who came out of Egypt. -- Ex 12:38. The remnant of the nations of the land. -- 1Ki 9:20; 2Ch 8:7. Captives taken in war. -- De 21:10. Foreign servants. -- Le 25:44,45. Persons who sought employment among the Jews. -- 1Ki 7:13; 9:27. Persons who came into Israel for the sake of religious privileges. -- 1Ki 8:41. Laws respec”
Psalms “Psalms 18:45 (NASB) — Foreigners fade away, And come trembling out of their fortresses.”
Hebrews “By faith, he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a land not his own, dwelling in tents, with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise. -- Hebrews 11:9”
II Chronicles “II Chronicles 6:32 (BSB) — And as for the foreigner who is not of Your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of Your great name and Your mighty hand and outstretched arm—when he comes and prays toward this temple,”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Foreigner — A Gentile. Such as resided among the Hebrews were required by the law to be treated with kindness (Ex. 22:21; 23:9; Lev. 19:33, 34; 23:22; Deut. 14:28; 16:10, 11; 24:19). They enjoyed in many things equal rights with the native-born residents (Ex. 12:49; Lev. 24:22; Num. 15:15; 35:15), but were not allowed to do anything which was an abomination according to the Jewish law (Ex. 20:10; Lev. 17:15, 16; 18:26; 20:2; 24:16, etc.).”
Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 11:13: 11:13-16 The author pauses to point out general principles evident in the lives he has highlighted thus far. 11:13 Abraham’s family lived in the land of promise as foreigners and nomads (see Gen 23:4; cp. 1 Chr 29:15; Ps 39:12; 1 Pet 2:11).”
Deuteronomy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Deuteronomy 10:18: 10:18 foreigners (literally sojourners): “A rabble of non-Israelites” (Exod 12:38) came out of Egypt with the Israelites, and others later took up residence in Israel for various reasons. Some of these non-Israelites had no intention of becoming part of the covenant nation, but other foreigners, while not citizens of Israel, were God-fearers or potential proselytes. They lacked full equality with the Israelites and thus were often victims of neglect and discrimination.”
Mishneh Torah (Maimonides) (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Mishneh Torah (Maimonides), Mishneh Torah%2C Forbidden Intercourse 14:7: What is meant by a resident alien? A gentile who makes a commitment not to worship false deities and to observe the other [six] universal laws commanded to Noah's descendants. He does not circumcise himself or immerse. We accept this commitment and he is considered one of the pious gentiles. Why is he called a resident? Because we are permitted to allow him to dwell among us in Eretz Yisrael , as explained in Hilchot Avodah Zarah . 18 See Hilchot Avodat Kochavim 10:6 which states that in an era when the Jews have undisput”
Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 11:8: By faith he sojourned in the land of promise,.... The land of Canaan, so called, because it was promised to Abraham and his seed; and is typical of heaven, which is not by the works of the law, but by the free promise and grace of God: here Abraham sojourned for a while, as in a strange country; which was not his native place, and not his own, but another's; see Act 7:5 and an idolatrous one; here he sojourned by faith, believing that as it was promised, it would be given to him, and his seed: so all God's people are sojourners in this world, strangers and pilgrims”
Deuteronomy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Deuteronomy 28:43: 28:43 foreigners (literally sojourners): In God’s day of judgment, those regarded as the weakest and most vulnerable elements of Israelite society (see 29:11) would dominate.”
Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 9: Gospel of Peter, Diatessaron, Origen's Commentaries — 18.THE ASS AND THE COLT ARE THE OLD AND THE NEW TESTAMENT. SPIRITUAL MEANING OF THE VARIOUS FEATURES OF THE STORY. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN JOHN'S NARRATIVE AND THAT OF THE OTHER EVANGELISTS. (part 3): follow), perhaps it is that city which before He ascended to it contained the so-called(1) "spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places," or the Canaanites and Hittites and Amorites and the other enemies of the people of god, and in a word, the foreigners. For in that region, too, it was possible for the prophecy to be fulfilled wh”

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