Kinsmen versus The Gentiles עם-am versus גוים-Goyim

What is really interesting about language is that it is a living entity. The pronunciation and meaning of certain words and phrases change over time. All one has to do is compare the 1611 King James translation of the Bible with one that has been rendered into contemporary modern English to see that this is true.

The Hebrew word goyim which means nations is an interesting example of one of those words that undergoes a key transformation in the Bible. Let’s take a journey into how this word has evolved throughout the ages.

First, in the beginning, before the nation of Israel ever existed, the word goyim was simply a generic term that referred to all the nations of the world. It carried no spiritual implication. However, from the day that G-d set Abraham apart to be the first Hebrew, everything changed. Now the whole world was divided into two groups of people, Israel and everyone else. Furthermore, the Jews today who live in the modern nation of Israel refer to foreigners and other nations as goyim. Ironically, they even refer to Christianity as the religion for the goyim (given the anti-Semitism that has been prevalent in the church over centuries, I don’t think we can really blame them).

Now I know that I have touched on this before, but it bears repeating. Biblically speaking, from G-d's perspective, there is only set apart group of people on this planet designated to be the bringer of G-d's laws and the Messiah, and that group of people is Israel comprised of both Jewish and Gentile believers in Christ. The other group of people is the goyim. This group represents those who oppose G-d’s laws, commandments and the Messiah and are also comprised of physical Gentiles and Jews as well. That’s right! Even those born Jewish and circumcised will also be considered as the goyim by G-d, if they reject His precepts and the Messiah.

Take a look at this Scripture from Joshua 5:4-6. Pay attention to the words I have bolded. I am using the King James Version of the Bible.

“And this is the cause why Joshua did circumcise: All the people that came out of Egypt, that were males, even all the men of war, died in the wilderness by the way, after they came out of Egypt. Now all the people that came out were circumcised: but all the people that were born in the wilderness by the way as they came forth out of Egypt, them they had not circumcised.

For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people that were men of war, which came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: unto whom the LORD sware that he would not shew them the land, which the LORD sware unto their fathers that he would give us, a land that floweth with milk and honey.”

What is interesting is that although in English the same word “people” is used, the original Hebrew words are different. The first “people” is the Hebrew word "am". However, the second “people” in the original Hebrew is the word "goy". Goy is the singular form of goyim. Isn't that interesting considering that in both of these verses, the word people refers to the same group of Israelites who left Egypt? Why is this?

First, what does the Hebrew word “am” mean? "Am" is a unique Biblical term referring to those people that G-d has chosen. Literally translated it means kinsmen, compatriots or country-men. “Am” is a word of affection that carries with it the idea of being chosen by and having a close relationship with G-d, being part of the in-group so to speak. On the other hand, the second “people” has been translated from the word goy which as just explained represents those who are unholy and against G-d. Hence, while the group of Israelites was in obedience to G-d they were lovingly referred to as His own people, His am. However, once they rebelled against G-d, their position in G-d’s eyes changed and now He saw them as goyim, not His. The very same group of people comprised of both Hebrews and Egyptians underwent a devastating status transfer once they fell into disobedience. They had gone from being spiritual Israel to the goyim.

So what does this mean for us believers today? First, recognize that if you have been born again through the shed blood of Yeshua, in G-d’s eyes you are now a part of G-d’s nation, spiritual Israel. I don’t care if you’re American, Japanese, French, Korean, German, Puerto Rican or whatever you were or are. If you have been born again through the Jewish Messiah Yeshua, you have just joined Israel, period. You are no longer goyim. Second, now that you are no longer part of the goyim, you shouldn’t act like one! G-d has made a distinction between you and all the other nations (goyim) of the earth. In His word, He has prescribed a way of living that is Holy and covers everything from dietary laws to how to deal with your fellow man. Read it, study it, absorb it like a dying man in the desert thirsts for water and live it.

L-rd, thank you for redeeming us and sanctifying us from out of all the nations of the world. Please give us the power to live a life that is pleasing to you.

In Yeshua’s name, I pray.

Amen.