The Meaning of "Gentile" and "Israel"
Book of Mormon Notes - Sunday, March 3, 2024, 3 Nephi 21 continued...
In my Book of Mormon notes thus far I have tossed around terms like “Gentile” and “House of Israel” and “Israel” as if we each understand these terms very clearly. But I think that it is helpful to pause and consider what these terms really mean, and especially what the Lord means by them. The LDS Bible Dictionary entry on “Gentile” is a good place to start:
The word Gentiles means “the nations” and eventually came to be used to mean all those not of the house of Israel. It is first used in Genesis with reference to the descendants of Japheth (Gen. 10:2–5). As used throughout the scriptures it has a dual meaning, sometimes to designate peoples of non-Israelite lineage and other times to designate nations that are without the gospel, even though there may be some Israelite blood therein. This latter usage is especially characteristic of the word as used in the Book of Mormon.
The duties of Israelites toward Gentiles were defined in the law (Ex. 23:32; 34:12–16; Deut. 7:1–3; 20:10–18; 23:3–8; Ezra 9:2–15; 10:1–18; Neh. 13:1–3, 23–31). These regulations served to emphasize the distinction between Israel and Gentile. However, there were numerous provisions showing that Israel was to deal justly and honestly with non-Israelites and to be compassionate toward them (Ex. 22:21; 23:9; Lev. 19:10, 33–34; 24:22).
The pious Jews of New Testament times held themselves aloof from contact with the Gentiles. When a Gentile was converted to Judaism, he was called a proselyte. Even in the Church there was a cultural and doctrinal struggle among many Jewish Christians before they would permit one of gentile lineage to enjoy full fellowship. The first Gentiles to come into the New Testament Church were those who had already become proselytes to Judaism.
Cornelius (Acts 10–11) was the first Gentile of whom we have record who came into the Christian Church without first being a proselyte to Judaism. He was introduced to the gospel of Jesus Christ through a series of divine manifestations both to him and to Peter.
Paul was called the “apostle of the Gentiles” (Rom. 11:13), and it was primarily through his ministry that the gospel was established among those of gentile lineage throughout Europe and Asia Minor, although the way was opened by Peter’s baptism of Cornelius. See also Cornelius; Proselytes.
What are the nations today? Although I’m skeptical of the United Nations and wary of everything they do, the United Nations recognize almost 200 nations, or countries, in the world. For a long time, many of these nations were without the Gospel, and therefore they are Gentile nations. Obviously there is much Israelite blood, or many members of the House of Israel, scattered among the Gentile nations. The LDS Topical Guide entry on “Gentiles” is also very helpful for understand who the Gentiles are, as is the etymological dictionary entry on “Gentile.”
The Gospel has been and now is being preached in the Gentile nations. There are more than four-hundred missions in the Church, thirty-six of which are new this year (2024). But what about countries like Saudi Arabia, North Korea, Iran, Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, Libya, Maldives, Somalia, and Syria? To my knowledge, there aren’t many LDS missionaries in any of these countries. I’m sure that the Lord has it all figured out and in order.
So much for the Gentiles. What on earth is the House of Israel? What is Israel? Who was Israel? Israel was formerly called Jacob, and he had twelve sons. The LDS Bible Dictionary entry on “Israel” is helpful:
One who prevails with God or Let God prevail. This name was given to Jacob at Penuel (Gen. 32:28) and at Bethel (Gen. 35:10). It also applies to his descendants and to their kingdom (2 Sam. 1:24; 23:3). After the division of the kingdom, the northern tribes, as the larger part, retained the name Israel, while the southern kingdom was called Judah. The land of Canaan is also called Israel today. And in another sense Israel means the true believer in Christ, as explained by Paul (Rom. 10:1; 11:7; Gal. 6:16; Eph. 2:12). The name Israel is therefore variously used to denote (1) the man Jacob, (2) the literal descendants of Jacob, and (3) the true believers in Christ, regardless of their lineage or geographical location.
President Russell M. Nelson, the Lord’s prophet, recently expounded upon the meaning of the term “Israel.” The footnotes in President Nelson’s talk are worth closer examination:
“I have spoken of Israel in at least 378 of the more than 800 messages I have delivered during my 36 years as an Apostle.”
“In Hebrew, Abram is a noble name meaning “exalted father.” But when God changed that name to Abraham, the name took on even greater significance, meaning “father of a multitude.” Indeed, Abraham was to be the “father of many nations.” (See Genesis 17:5; Nehemiah 9:7.)”
“The Lord God Jehovah made a covenant with Abraham that the Savior of the world would be born through Abraham’s seed, certain lands would be inherited, and all nations would be blessed through Abraham’s lineage (see Bible Dictionary, “Abraham, covenant of”).”
“See Bible Dictionary, “Israel.”
“The word Israel appears more than a thousand times in the scriptures. It can apply to Jacob’s (Israel’s) family of 12 sons, plus daughters (see Genesis 35:23–26; 46:7). Today it can apply geographically as a place on planet Earth. But its doctrinal use applies to people who are willing to let God prevail in their lives.”
“See Genesis 32:30; also spelled as Penuel in Genesis 32:31.”
“See Genesis 32:28.”
“See Genesis 35:11–12.”
“For further study, see Topical Guide, “Israel, Scattering of.”
“Isaiah 54:7.”
“See Isaiah 11:11–12; 2 Nephi 21:11–12; Mosiah 15:11.”
“See Encyclopedia of Mormonism (1992), “Covenant Israel, Latter-Day,” 1:330–31.”
“As we participate in the gathering of Israel, the Lord has a wonderful way of describing those being gathered. He refers to us collectively as His “peculiar treasure” (Exodus 19:5; Psalm 135:4), as His “jewels” (Malachi 3:17; Doctrine and Covenants 101:3), and as a “holy nation” (Exodus 19:6; see also Deuteronomy 14:2; 26:18).”
“This phrase refers to the very covenant that God made with Abraham, saying, “In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed” (3 Nephi 20:27). “Born in the covenant” means that before a person was born, that person’s mother and father were sealed in the temple.”
“Such a promise was taught by God to Abraham: “As many as receive this Gospel shall be called after thy name, and shall be accounted thy seed, and shall rise up and bless thee, as their father” (Abraham 2:10; see also Romans 8:14–17; Galatians 3:26–29).”
“Each faithful member may request a patriarchal blessing. Through the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, the patriarch declares that person’s lineage in the house of Israel. That declaration is not necessarily a pronouncement of his or her race, nationality, or genetic makeup. Rather, the declared lineage identifies the tribe of Israel through which that individual will receive his or her blessings.”
“See Mosiah 15:7. Being of Israel is not for the faint of heart. To receive all the blessings that God has in store for Abraham’s seed, we can each expect to be given our own unique “Abrahamic test.” God will test us, as the Prophet Joseph Smith taught, by wrenching our very heartstrings. (See recollection of John Taylor in Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 231.)”
“See Mosiah 3:19.”
“See 2 Timothy 3:1–13.”
“1 Nephi 17:40; emphasis added.”
“Doctrine and Covenants 98:37; see also Psalm 31:23; Isaiah 49:25; Doctrine and Covenants 105:14.”
“Mormon 9:11”
Listen to how President Nelson defines “Israel”:
For the more than 36 years I’ve been an Apostle, the doctrine of the gathering of Israel has captured my attention.1 Everything about it has intrigued me, including the ministries and names2 of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; their lives and their wives; the covenant God made with them and extended through their lineage;3 the dispersion of the twelve tribes; and the numerous prophecies about the gathering in our day.
I have studied the gathering, prayed about it, feasted upon every related scripture, and asked the Lord to increase my understanding.
So imagine my delight when I was led recently to a new insight. With the help of two Hebrew scholars, I learned that one of the Hebraic meanings of the word Israel is “let God prevail.”4 Thus the very name of Israel refers to a person who is willing to let God prevail in his or her life. That concept stirs my soul!
The word willing is crucial to this interpretation of Israel.5 We all have our agency. We can choose to be of Israel, or not. We can choose to let God prevail in our lives, or not. We can choose to let God be the most powerful influence in our lives, or not.
Thus President Nelson helps us to understand what is meant by “gathering Israel”:
With the Hebraic definition of Israel in mind, we find that the gathering of Israel takes on added meaning. The Lord is gathering those who are willing to let God prevail in their lives. The Lord is gathering those who will choose to let God be the most important influence in their lives.
And he helps us to understand how we help to gather Israel (see also here):
When we speak of gathering Israel on both sides of the veil, we are referring, of course, to missionary, temple, and family history work. We are also referring to building faith and testimony in the hearts of those with whom we live, work, and serve. Anytime we do anything that helps anyone—on either side of the veil—to make and keep their covenants with God, we are helping to gather Israel.
I believe that it is also important to keep in mind why we are gathering Israel:
It has been prophesied since at least the days of Isaiah1 that in the latter days, the Lord’s ancient covenant people, the house of Israel, should be “gathered in from their long dispersion, from the isles of the sea, and from the four parts of the earth”2 and restored to “the lands of their inheritance.”3 President Russell M. Nelson has spoken often and powerfully about this gathering, calling it “the most important thing taking place on earth today.”4
What is the purpose of this gathering?
By revelation to the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Lord identified one purpose as the protection of the covenant people. He said, “The gathering together upon the land of Zion, and upon her stakes, [will] be for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth.”5 “Wrath” in this context may be understood as the natural consequences of widespread disobedience to the laws and commandments of God.
Most importantly, the gathering is for the purpose of bringing the blessings of salvation and exaltation to all who will receive them. It is how the covenant promises given to Abraham are realized. The Lord told Abraham that through his seed and priesthood “all the families of the earth [should] be blessed, even with the blessings of the Gospel, which are the blessings of salvation, even of life eternal.”6 President Nelson expressed it this way: “When we embrace the gospel and are baptized, we take upon ourselves the sacred name of Jesus Christ. Baptism is the gate that leads to becoming joint heirs to all the promises given anciently by the Lord to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their posterity.”7
Defense, refuge from the storm, protection… is this something we need? Salvation and exaltation, Eternal life… is this something we want? Yes and yes.
I believe that it is crucial to understand that everything that we do in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints aims at this primary purpose, or the Lord’s purpose:
For behold, this is my awork and my bglory—to bring to pass the cimmortality and deternal elife of man. (Moses 1:39)
To be continued…