26:14-45; Deuteronomy 28), and the other nations, the Amorites, Hittites,
etc., were the goyim, the heathen, with whom the Jews were forbidden to
be associated in any way (Joshua 23:7; 1 Kings 11:2). The practice of
idolatry was the characteristic of these nations, and hence the word came
to designate idolaters (Psalm 106:47; Jeremiah 46:28; Lamentations 1:3;
Isaiah 36:18), the wicked (Psalm 9:5, 15, 17).
The corresponding Greek word in the New Testament, ethne, has similar
shades of meaning. In Acts 22:21, Galatians 3:14, it denotes the people of
the earth generally; and in Matthew 6:7, an idolater. In modern usage the
word denotes all nations that are strangers to revealed religion.
- HEAVEN (1.) Definitions. The phrase “heaven and earth” is used to
indicate the whole universe (Genesis 1:1; Jeremiah 23:24; Acts 17:24).
According to the Jewish notion there were three heavens,
(a) The firmament, as “fowls of the heaven” (Genesis 2:19; 7:3, 23; Psalm
8:8, etc.), “the eagles of heaven” (Lamentations 4:19), etc.
(b) The starry heavens (Deuteronomy 17:3; Jeremiah 8:2; Matthew
24:29).
(c) “The heaven of heavens,” or “the third heaven” (Deuteronomy 10:14; 1
Kings 8:27; Psalm 115:16; 148:4; 2 Corinthians 12:2).
(2.) Meaning of words in the original,
(a) The usual Hebrew word for “heavens” is shamayim, a plural form
meaning “heights,” “elevations” (Genesis 1:1; 2:1).
(b) The Hebrew word marom is also used (Psalm 68:18; 93:4; 102:19, etc.)
as equivalent to shamayim, “high places,” “heights.”
(c) Hebrews galgal, literally a “wheel,” is rendered “heaven” in Psalm 77:18
(R.V., “whirlwind”).
(d) Hebrews shahak, rendered “sky” (Deuteronomy 33:26; Job 37:18;
Psalm 18:11), plural “clouds” (Job 35:5; 36:28; Psalm 68:34, marg.
“heavens”), means probably the firmament.
(e) Hebrews rakia is closely connected with (d), and is rendered
“firmamentum” in the Vulgate, whence our “firmament” (Genesis 1:6;
Deuteronomy 33:26, etc.), regarded as a solid expanse.