God, Strange
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of God, Strange in the Bible?
The term 'strange god' refers to deities worshipped by foreign nations or non-Israelite families, which were strictly prohibited for Israelites to venerate.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing this distinction clarifies the biblical mandate for religious exclusivity and the cultural separation maintained by Israelite communities from surrounding pagan societies.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to God, Strange. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention God, Strange in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does God, Strange clarify?
Related Topics
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.
How to Cite This Entry
"God, Strange." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/god-strange/