What is the meaning of Foreign Divinities in the Bible?
The phrase 'foreign divinities' identifies gods and goddesses worshipped by surrounding nations, which were viewed as alien and incompatible with the worship of Yahweh by the Israelites. This specific terminology appears in Acts 17:18, where Epicurean and Stoic philosophers in Athens encounter Paul preaching about Jesus and the resurrection, labeling his message as concerning 'strange gods' (allotriōn daimoniōn).
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding this concept clarifies the cultural friction in the New Testament, showing how early Christian missionaries navigated a polytheistic environment where introducing a new deity was perceived as an intrusion of foreign religious practices rather than a universal truth.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Foreign Divinities in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Foreign Divinities clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.