Alien

ALIEN al'-yen:

Found in the King James Version for ger, (Exodus 18:3) = "guest," hence: "foreigner," "sojourner" the Revised Version (British and American); also for nekhar (Isaiah 61:5) = "foreign," "a foreigner" the Revised Version (British and American) (concrete), "heathendom" (abstract), "alien," "strange" (-er), and for nokhri (Deuteronomy 14:21 the Revised Version (British and American) "foreigner"; compare Job 19:15; Psalms 69:8; Lamentations 5:2)--"strange," in a variety of degrees and meanings: "foreign," "non-relative," "adulterous," "different," "wonderful," "alien," "outlandish," "strange." In the New Testament we find apellotriomenos (Ephesians 4:18; Colossians 1:21) = "being alienated," and allotrios (Hebrews 11:34) = "another's," "not one's own," hence: "foreign," "not akin," "hostile." In the Old Testament the expression was taken in its literal sense, referring to those who were not Israelites--the heathen; in the New Testament it is given a figurative meaning, as indicating those who have not become naturalized in the kingdom of God, hence are outside of Christ and the blessing of the gospel.

Frank E. Hirsch

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Bibliography Information

Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Entry for 'ALIEN'".  "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia".  1915.