ἀλλόφυλος

foreign

Definition

The adjective ἀλλόφυλος means 'foreign' or 'of another tribe or race,' specifically denoting someone who is ethnically and culturally distinct from the Jewish people. In the New Testament, it carries the strong connotation of being a non-Jew or Gentile, particularly one who is not a proselyte to Judaism. Its sole biblical occurrence is in Acts 10:28, where Peter declares it unlawful for a Jew to associate with or visit anyone of another nation (ἀλλόφυλος). This usage highlights the deep social and religious separation maintained between Jews and Gentiles in the first century.

Biblical Usage

Ἀλλόφυλος is used only once in the New Testament, in Acts 10:28. In this critical narrative, Peter uses the word to explain the revolutionary nature of his vision and God's command to him. He states that Jewish law traditionally forbade close association with an 'allophylos.' This single usage perfectly encapsulates the word's function: to define the stark 'us versus them' boundary between Jews and all other ethnic groups, a boundary the book of Acts shows God is breaking down through the gospel.

Etymology

The word is a compound from the Greek prefix ἀ- (a-, meaning 'other' or 'different') and φυλή (phylē, meaning 'tribe' or 'race'). Thus, it literally means 'of another tribe' or 'of a different race.' It is the standard Greek translation for the Hebrew term 'Philistine' in the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament), which historically referred to a specific foreign nation opposed to Israel. This background enriches its New Testament meaning, associating it with archetypal foreign adversaries.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it marks the very barrier the early church had to overcome. In Acts 10:28, Peter's use of ἀλλόφυλος represents the old covenant separation between Jew and Gentile. His declaration that God has shown him not to call any person 'common or unclean' directly confronts and redefines this category. Understanding this term illuminates the monumental shift in Acts 10-11, where the Holy Spirit falls on Gentiles, demonstrating that the gospel explicitly breaks down ethnic divisions and creates one new people in Christ (Ephesians 2:14-16).

In its original cultural setting, ἀλλόφυλος was not a neutral term for 'foreigner' but carried strong religious and ethnic exclusion. For a first-century Jew, an 'allophylos' was outside the covenant people of God, ritually unclean, and often associated with idolatry. This understanding was rooted in Old Testament laws designed to preserve Israel's unique worship (e.g., Deuteronomy 7:1-6). The word's prior use for the Philistines—persistent enemies of Israel—added a layer of historical tension and opposition to its meaning.

ἔθνος (ethnos, G1484) — A broader term for 'nation' or 'people,' often used for Gentiles collectively, but without the inherent connotation of opposition or separation found in ἀλλόφυλος. βάρβαρος (barbaros, G915) — Emphasizes linguistic and cultural foreignness ('non-Greek speaker'), often with a nuance of rudeness or lack of civilization, rather than specific religious exclusion.

Word Details

Scripture References