Sojourner
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Sojourner in the Bible?
A sojourner is a foreigner or resident alien living temporarily within a community, distinct from permanent citizens by their legal status and specific social obligations.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the role of the sojourner illuminates the biblical emphasis on justice and compassion, revealing how divine law mandated the fair treatment of vulnerable non-citizens who lacked the protection of local kinship networks.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Sojourner. 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 Sojourner in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Sojourner 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.
How to Cite This Entry
"Sojourner." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/sojourner/