Gentile

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The word Gentile from the Latin gentilis, can either be a translation of the Hebrew Goy/גוי or of the Hebrew word Nochri/נכרי. In the most common modern use it refers to the former being derived from the Latin term gens (meaning "clan" or a "group of families") and it is often employed in the plural. In late Latin gentilis meant "pagan", and the term gentile has equally come to be used as a synonym for "heathen" or "pagan" (Nochri/נכרי).

In English translations of the Bible the word gentiles is most commonly used as a translation of the Hebrew word goyim (plural of Goy/גוי); in the King James Version the first and only such use in the Pentateuch is in the book of Genesis 10:5. Christian translators of the Bible use this word in the meaning of non-Israelite, to collectively designate the peoples and nations distinct from the Israelite people; the word is used that way over 130 times in the King James Version of the Bible. In the New Testament the word is used more specifically to indicate non-Jews.

As in the King James Bible, from the 17th century on this term was most commonly used to refer to non-Jews. However, this usage was in the context of European Christian societies with a Jewish minority. In modern multireligious and multiethnic societies the term is typically not seen as a synonym for "non-Jew", except in restricted contexts. For example, to refer to a Chinese person as a "gentile" would be unusual. In addition, the word is often perceived as derogatory. Therefore in recent decades, this use of the term has fallen out of favor.

It is also sometimes used to describe persons of Christian faith in an opposition to the adherents of Judaism.

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Latter-day Saints Church usage

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ("LDS Church"; see also Mormon), who regard themselves as regathered, formerly lost Israelites, have also used the word "Gentile" to refer to nonmembers. As such, this word is not appropriately applied to Jews, although LDS members often colloquially referred to Jews as "Gentiles" because they were not members of the LDS Church.

See also Mormonism and Judaism.

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