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Some are brief articles in encyclopedias or dictionaries. These pieces of scholarship provide a general overview of gēr (sojourner) in ancient Israel. Furthermore, the problems with this inconsistency carry over into later translations of gēr and even into contemporary analyses of the gēr. This variability in understanding is clear from examining the resources in this article.

Bible dictionary full#

Are there restrictions on the participation of the gēr in cultic ceremonies? Can the gēr become a full member (proselyte) of the community after circumcision? Can an Israelite become a gēr in his or her own community? Why is a Levite classified as a gēr? What makes answering these questions difficult is that the Hebrew Bible is not always consistent in its understanding of the sojourner ( gēr) and her or his role in the community. That the gēr (sojourner) is to be treated well in the community raises further questions. The reason for treating the gēr well is because Israel was a gēr in Egypt (Leviticus 19:34 Deuteronomy 24:5). These individuals are to be treated well, especially the “widow, orphan, and sojourner” (Deuteronomy 10:17–18 27:19), as well as the Levite (Deuteronomy 14:29 24:19). And frequently individuals are said to sojourn within ancient Israel (Leviticus 22:17–18 Isaiah 16:4). On other occasions the whole of Israel is seen as sojourning in Egypt (Isaiah 52:4) or Babylon (Ezra 1:2–4). At times individual biblical figures sojourn: Abraham sojourned in Egypt (Genesis 12:10) and Gerar (Genesis 20:1) Joseph and his brothers sojourned in Egypt (Genesis 47:4) and a Levite sojourned in Judah and Ephraim (Judges 17:7–9 19:1). The importance of the term gēr (the equivalent of “sojourner” in this article) is its usage to refer to different entities. Finally, there is the issue of how gēr should be translated into Greek, as προσήλυτος (proselyte) or as πάροικος (one who dwells). These include nokhrī (נכרי) usually translated as “stranger,” sometimes as “foreigner” zār (זר) usually translated as “foreigner,” sometimes as “enemy” and ʾ azraḥ (אזרח) usually translated as “native.” These latter three terms will not be dealt with directly in this article but are often alluded to in various discussions. Besides “sojourner” there are several other translations by scholars that have tried to capture the meaning of the Hebrew term, including “resident alien,” “immigrant,” “foreign resident,” “client,” “foreigner,” and “stranger.” Further complication is that the Hebrew term ( gēr) is only one of several words with similar or related meanings.

This Hebrew term and its translation convey the basic idea that a person (or group) is residing, either temporarily or permanently, in a community and place that is not primarily their own and is dependent on the “good-will” of that community for their continued existence. “Sojourner” is the frequent translation of the Hebrew term gēr (Hebrew gēr plural gērīm ).