Easton's Bible Dictionary: M. G. Easton, M.A., D.D.
(Heb. plural
goyum). At first the word
goyim denoted generally all the nations of the world (
Gen. 18:18; comp.
Gal. 3:8). The Jews afterwards became a people distinguished in a marked manner from the other
goyim. They were a separate people (
Lev. 20:23, 26:14-45; Dt. 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 (
Josh. 23:7; 1 Ki. 11:2). The practice of idolatry was the characteristic of these nations, and hence the word came to designate idolaters (
Ps. 106:47; Jer. 46:28; Lam. 1:3; Isa. 36:18), the wicked (
Ps. 9:5, 15, 17).
The corresponding Greek word in the New Testament, ethne, has similar shades of meaning. In Acts 22:21, Gal. 3:14, it denotes the people of the earth generally; and in Mt. 6:7, an idolater. In modern usage the word denotes all nations that are strangers to revealed religion.