God(s), Strange

strānj: The word “strange,” as used in this connection in the Old Testament, refers to the fact that the god or gods do not belong to Israel, but are the gods which are worshipped by other families or nations. In several cases a more exact translation would give us the “gods of the stranger” or foreigner. So in Genesis 35:2, 35:4; Joshua 24:2; Judges 10:16; Deuteronomy 31:16; 32:12, etc. In a few passages like Deuteronomy 32:16; Psalms 44:20; 81:9; Isaiah 43:12, the word is an adjective, but the idea is the same: the gods are those which are worshipped by other peoples and hence are forbidden to Israel, which is under obligation to worship Yahweh alone (compare 2 Esdras 1:6).

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Author: International Std. Bible Encyclopedia

Keywords: Gods Strange, Strange gods, Idolatry, Idols

Source: James Orr (editor), The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, 5 volume set.

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