Gentile (/ ˈdʒɛntaɪl /) is a word that today usually means someone who is not Jewish. [1][2] Other groups that also claim Israelite heritage, notably Mormons, have historically used the term gentile to describe outsiders. [3][4][5] More rarely, the term is used as a synonym for pagan.[5]
The meaning of GENTILE is a person of a non-Jewish nation or of non-Jewish faith; especially : a Christian as distinguished from a Jew.
In the Bible, when this word is used, it is not describing one nation or ethnic group, rather the term gentile refers to anyone who is not of Jewish descent. Gentile would also broadly describe those who do not believe in God.
Gentile, person who is not Jewish. The word stems from the Hebrew term goy, which means a “nation,” and was applied both to the Hebrews and to any other nation. The plural, goyim, especially with the definite article, ha-goyim, “the nations,” meant nations of the world that were not Hebrew.
What does the term "Gentile" mean? The term “Gentile” generally refers to anyone who is not of Jewish descent. In Hebrew Scriptures, the term often corresponds to the Hebrew word “goy” (plural “goyim”), signifying “nations,” “peoples,” or “foreigners.”
gentile, n. & adj. meanings, etymology, pronunciation and more in the Oxford English Dictionary
gentile, n. & adj. meanings, etymology and more | Oxford English Dictionary
In the Old Testament, it is derived from the Hebrew Goy (Strong's #H1471) which means a nation or people that are not Israelites. In the New Testament, the singular word Gentile comes from Hellen (Strong's #G1672) which references a Greek-speaking person.