Scripture Queries and Answers: Force of the Words for People and Nations in the Old Testament

Narrator: Chris Genthree
Luke 2:31‑32
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Q. 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 2:31,31Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; (Luke 2:31) 32 Correspond? A. B.
A. The words used for people, peoples, nations in the Hebrew are these. עַם “people” in the singular in general signifies Israel, םיִּםַע 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 םיִּםַע are the peoples in connection with Israel, brought into relationship with Israel. יגּוֹיִם, on the contrary, are the nations in contrast with God's people. It is used of Israel where it is disowned in Psa. 43. גּוֹי לא־חָסִיֽר an impious nation. There is another word, and quite general, íéÄÌîËàÀì “tribes,” “races,” and so “nations.” This is the word translated people in Psa. 2, and often elsewhere. The word תֺוּמֻא 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. 25:15,15And 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 íéÄÌîÇò in Psa. 18 In Psa. 3:6,6I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about. (Psalm 3:6) it is םַע 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 יגּוֹיִם; 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 to the pit, and the Gentiles also who give no heed to God but go their own way, despising Him. In Psa. 67 verse 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, íéÄÌîÇò In verse 4 it is íéÄÌîËàÀì, all the various tribes of the earth. Then He judges them, not in destruction as íÄéÊåÌâ but as peoples (íéÄÌîÇò) under Him. Then íéÄÌîËàÀì the various tribes or races He shall lead or govern. In verse 5 it is íéÄÌîÇò all the various peoples, but viewed in relationship with Jehovah.
We have three times in Luke 2 before the face of all peoples. Were the ëáïß expressed in Hebrew, it would be íéÄÌîÇò a general word (not I think here íéÄÌîËàÀì) but viewed as brought into relationship with God. Then the nations, ßâíç, (íÄéÊåÌâ) 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 íéÄÌîÇò so to speak. Then “people Israel” is plain enough.