What the Word “Heathen” Means in Scripture
In the Bible, “heathen” (KJV) usually translates the Hebrew goyim and Greek ethnos, meaning: Nations, Gentiles, People who do not know or worship the true God. It is not a racial term — it is a spiritual category: people outside covenant relationship with God.
They Do Not Know God. Psalm 79:6 — “Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee.” Jeremiah 10:25 — “Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not.” The heathen are defined by spiritual ignorance, not ethnicity.
They Worship Idols: Psalm 96:5 — “For all the gods of the nations are idols.” Jeremiah 10:2 — “Learn not the way of the heathen.”
They Rage Against God: Psalm 2:1 — “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?” The heathen oppose God’s rule and resist His authority.
They Are Under God’s Judgment: Psalm 9:17 — “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” Isaiah 60:12 — “The nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish.” Rejection of God brings national and personal consequences.
God’s Commands Concerning the Heathen: A. Do Not Learn Their Ways Jeremiah 10:2 — “Learn not the way of the heathen.” B. Do Not Follow Their Customs Leviticus 18:3 — Israel was forbidden to imitate heathen practices. C. Do Not Fear Their Gods 2 Kings 17:35 — God warned Israel not to fear the gods of the heathen.
I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS QUICK STUDY.
DON’T PICK UP THE WAYS OF THE HEATHEN.
IS OUR COUNTRY BEING LED BY HEATHENS?
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PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM