Hebrew Words for "People"

 
The words used for people, peoples, nations in the1 Hebrew are these. עם "people" in the singular in general signifies Israel, עמים in the plural "peoples." This is very often indeed wrongly translated "people" in the Authorized Version, I suppose because "peoples" is not correct English; but the sense is quite different. I believe the עמים are the peoples in connection with Israel, brought into relationship with Israel. נוים on the contrary, are the nations in contrast with God's people. It is used of Israel, where it is disowned, in Psa. 43,חסיד- לא נוי an impious nation. There is another word, and quite general, לאכוים, "tribes," "races," and so "nations." This is the word translated people in Psalm 2, and often elsewhere. The word אמות is found in Gen. 25:1616These are the sons of Ishmael, and these are their names, by their towns, and by their castles; twelve princes according to their nations. (Genesis 25:16) (of Arab tribes), and in Num. 25:1515And the name of the Midianitish woman that was slain was Cozbi, the daughter of Zur; he was head over a people, and of a chief house in Midian. (Numbers 25:15), in the same sense. We have עמים in Psa. 18:4747It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me. (Psalm 18:47). In Psa. 3:66I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about. (Psalm 3:6), it is עם Israel. In Psa. 7:88The Lord shall judge the people: judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me. (Psalm 7:8) it is עמות; that is, while a general word, not the nations looked at in contrast with Israel, "Gentiles," as we are accustomed to say. In Psa. 9 God is viewed as clearing the land of His enemies. He is known by the judgment He executes. The wicked (which may be of His people in the land) are turned into Sheol, are slain and go down into the pit, and the Gentiles also who give no heed to God but go their own way, despising Him. In Psa. 67:22That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. (Psalm 67:2), it is "all the nations" everywhere, contrasted with Israel who speaks. Verse 7 is the effect. In verse 3 they are looked at as brought into relationship, עמים. In verse 4 it is לאמים, all the various tribes of the earth. Then He judges them, not in destruction as נוים, but as peoples (עמים) under Him: then לאמים The various tribes or races He shall lead or govern. In verse 5 it is עמים all the various peoples, but viewed in relationship with Jehovah. We have in Luke 2. "before the face of all peoples." Were the λαοί expressed in Hebrew, it would be עמים a general word (not I think here לאמים) but viewed as brought into relationship with God. Then the nations, ἔθνη, (נוים) were viewed as wholly invisible, unseen and ignored. The light of Christ was to reveal them, bring them out into visible existence, so that they became עמים so to speak. Then "people Israel" is plain enough.
[1871.]
 
1. ' What is the distinctive force of the words used for people, peoples, nations in the Old Testament? And to which would the different Greek words in Luke 2:31, 331Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; (Luke 2:31)
3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. (Luke 2:3)2 Correspond? '