ἐθνικός
ethnikós
G1482 substantive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Pertaining to a people-group, nation, or ethnic group; used in the sense of 'belonging to the nations' (i.e., non-Israelite, non-Judean peoples) in Greek literature, especially as distinct from those identified with the people of Israel (or Judea). In Hellenistic and Roman contexts, particularly in Jewish and Christian writings, refers to those of non-Judean/national origin—commonly rendered as 'Gentile.' In certain situations, can have a connotation of being associated with the practices or customs of non-Judeans or non-Israelites.
Semantic Range
pertaining to a nation or people-group, national, ethnic, Gentile (non-Israelite/non-Judean), outsider to the Israelite/Judean community, of non-Israelite customs
Root / Etymology
Adjective formed from ἔθνος ('nation, people-group') with the adjectival suffix -ικός indicating 'pertaining to' or 'of the nature of.' The term thus means 'of a nation/ethnos.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
Classically, ἐθνικός means 'of a particular people' or 'national/ethnic.' In the Hellenistic period and especially in the Greek Jewish literature (LXX, Philo) and the New Testament, it takes on the sense of 'Gentile,' i.e., anyone who is not a Judean (Ἰουδαῖος) or Israelite. The term draws its contrast from the binary used in Jewish identity discourse: 'the nations' (τὰ ἔθνη, non-Israelites) versus Israel or Judea. In Matthew 18:17 and Matthew 5:47, ἐθνικός functions as a near-synonym for 'outsider' to the community of Jesus' audience. The translation 'heathen' is a later, theological rendering and does not reflect the classical or primary Koine usage, which was more social and ethnic than religious or pejorative. In Christian usage, sometimes implies those outside the Christ-following or Judean sphere but should not be equated wholesale with later meanings of 'pagan.' The adjective is related to the noun ἔθνος, which was frequently used in the LXX to translate Hebrew גּוֹי (goy, 'nation'). English translations often flatten the term to 'Gentile' or 'heathen,' but its function is primarily ethnic/national.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἔθνος; national ("ethnic"), i.e. (specially) a Gentile:--heathen (man).
Root Family
ἔθν- (ethnikós) — people-group, nation, nationhood
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1482-01 |
ἐθνικοὶ | ethnikoi | ADJ.S NOM M PL |
Gentiles | those of the nations | those of the nations | 2 |
G1482-02 |
ἐθνικῶν | ethnikon | ADJ.S GEN M PL |
Gentiles | of the nations | Gentiles | 1 |
G1482-03 |
ἐθνικὸς | ethnikos | ADJ.S NOM M SG |
Gentile | a national (Gentile) man | national (Gentile) man | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1482-01 |
Matthew 5:47 | ἐθνικοὶ | ethnikoi | ADJ.S NOM M PL |
Gentiles | those of the nations | those of the nations |
G1482-01 |
Matthew 6:7 | ἐθνικοί | ethnikoi | ADJ.S NOM M PL |
Gentiles | those of the nations | those of the nations |
G1482-03 |
Matthew 18:17 | ἐθνικὸς | ethnikos | ADJ.S NOM M SG |
Gentile | a national (Gentile) man | national (Gentile) man |
G1482-02 |
3 John 1:7 | ἐθνικῶν | ethnikon | ADJ.S GEN M PL |
Gentiles | of the nations | Gentiles |