Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical terms, the concept of a "countryman" often refers to a fellow member of one's nation or community, particularly within the context of the Israelites. The term is used to emphasize kinship, shared heritage, and mutual responsibility among the people of God. This entry explores the biblical understanding of "countryman" and its implications for community life and moral obligations.
Old Testament ContextThe Hebrew word often translated as "countryman" is "ach," meaning brother or kinsman. This term underscores the familial bond among the Israelites, who were considered a single, covenantal community under God. The Mosaic Law contains numerous instructions regarding the treatment of one's countrymen, emphasizing justice, compassion, and support.
For instance, in
Leviticus 19:18, the Israelites are commanded, "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD." Here, the term "neighbor" is synonymous with "countryman," highlighting the expectation of love and forgiveness within the community.
Similarly,
Deuteronomy 15:7-8 instructs, "If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. Instead, you are to open your hand to him and freely loan him whatever he needs." This passage reflects the communal responsibility to care for one another, particularly the vulnerable.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the concept of a countryman expands beyond ethnic Israel to include the broader community of believers. The early church, composed of both Jews and Gentiles, is depicted as a new family in Christ, bound by faith rather than ethnicity.
The Apostle Paul, in his letters, often addresses the unity and mutual care expected among believers. In
Galatians 6:10, he writes, "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith." This exhortation reinforces the idea that believers are to prioritize the well-being of their spiritual countrymen.
Moral and Ethical ImplicationsThe biblical notion of a countryman carries significant moral and ethical implications. It calls for a commitment to justice, mercy, and love within the community. The prophets frequently rebuked Israel for failing to uphold these values, as seen in
Isaiah 58:6-7, where true fasting is described as "to loose the chains of injustice... to share your bread with the hungry and to bring the homeless poor into your house."
In the teachings of Jesus, the definition of "neighbor" or "countryman" is further expanded to include all humanity, as illustrated in the Parable of the Good Samaritan (
Luke 10:25-37). This parable challenges believers to extend love and compassion beyond traditional boundaries, embodying the inclusive love of God.
ConclusionThe biblical concept of a countryman emphasizes the importance of community, shared responsibility, and ethical conduct among God's people. It calls believers to live in harmony, support one another, and extend love and justice to all, reflecting the character of God in their relationships.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) An inhabitant or native of a region.
2. (n.) One born in the same country with another; a compatriot; -- used with a possessive pronoun.
3. (n.) One who dwells in the country, as distinguished from a townsman or an inhabitant of a city; a rustic; a husbandman or farmer.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
COUNTRYMANkun'-tri-man (sumphuletes): "Of the same tribe" (1 Thessalonians 2:14); also in idiomatic rendering (genos) for those of one's own race or kin (2 Corinthians 11:26Galatians 1:14 the King James Version, "one's own nation"). CompareMark 6:4Romans 9:3; and see COUSIN; KINSMAN, etc.
Greek
4853. sumphuletes -- a fellow tribesman orcountryman... a fellow tribesman or
countryman. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration:
sumphuletes Phonetic Spelling: (soom-foo-let'-ace) Short Definition: a fellow
...4773. suggenes -- congenital, hence akin to, subst. a kinsman...
... suggenes Phonetic Spelling: (soong-ghen-ace') Short Definition: akin, a relative
Definition: akin to, related; subst: fellowcountryman, kinsman....
4139. plesion -- near, neighboring
... Neuter of a derivative of pelas (near); (adverbially) close by; as noun, a neighbor,
ie Fellow (as man,countryman, Christian or friend) -- near, neighbour....
Strong's Hebrew
251. ach -- a brother... brother (218), brother with his brothers (1), brother's (21), brotherhood (1), brothers
(195), brothers' (1), companions (1),
countryman (10),
countryman's (2
...Library
I, Patrick, a Sinner, a Most SimpleCountryman...
... Section 1. I, Patrick, a sinner, a most simplecountryman? 1. I, Patrick,
a sinner, a most simplecountryman, the least of all...
Detached Account of Abenadar.
... One of the guards of our Lord's sepulchre, who would not let himself be
bribed by the Jews, was his fellowcountryman and friend....
Against the Modern Free-Thinkers.
... this neighbourhood, two days ago, one of your gay gentlemen of the town, who being
attended at his entry with a servant of his own, besides acountryman he had...
St. Thomas Also Confessed the Same Faith as Peter after the Lord's...
... knew nothing of that subtle separation of yours, and had no experience of the fine
distinctions of your judgment, as he was a rudecountryman, ignorant of the...
Jerusalem
... "R. Ismael saith, Acountryman, or a villager, who takes a field from a man
of Jerusalem, the second tenth belongs to the Jerusalem man....
Letter xxxv. (AD 396. )
... should be received by us unless with her own will, and choosing, in the free exercise
of judgment, that which is better: and when thecountryman began to...
Vesalius the Anatomist {9}
... old Spanish pedants at the Netherlander's appearance, and still more at what followed,
if we are to believe Hugo Bloet of Delft, hiscountryman and contemporary...
Early Christian Hymns
... Syriac hymns were written by Ephraem Syrus (b.307), who strove to counteract the
influence of the Gnostic poets, especially that of hiscountryman, Bardesanes....
A Blow at Self-Righteousness
... their own. I do not suppose there are any who are self-righteous in as
bold a sense as the poorcountryman I have heard of. His...
It was Near the Middle Hour of the Night. ...
... Antipater had dined with but a single guest"a young priest, who, arriving that
very day from Damascus, had sought the palace of hiscountryman....
Thesaurus
Countryman (19 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
COUNTRYMAN.
... Compare Mark 6:4 Romans 9:3; and see
COUSIN; KINSMAN, etc. Multi-Version Concordance
Countryman (19 Occurrences).
...Countryman's (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version ConcordanceCountryman's (2 Occurrences). Deuteronomy 22:1
You shall not see your brother's ox or his sheep go astray...
Countrymen (60 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Plural ofCountryman. Multi-Version Concordance
Countrymen (60 Occurrences). Luke 19:14 "Now his countrymen...
Neighbor (123 Occurrences)
... and generally in the Old Testament, the term implies more than mere proximity; it
means one related by the bond of nationality, a fellow-countryman, compatriot...
Greetings (48 Occurrences)
... Aristobulus. (WEY). Romans 16:11 Greetings to mycountryman, Herodion; and to
the believing members of the household of Narcissus. (WEY)....
Theirs (96 Occurrences)
... Titus 1:12 One of their own number--a Prophet who is acountryman of theirs--has
said, "Cretans are always liars, dangerous animals, idle gluttons." (WEY)....
Dangerous (4 Occurrences)
... Titus 1:12 One of their own number--a Prophet who is acountryman of theirs--has
said, "Cretans are always liars, dangerous animals, idle gluttons." (WEY)....
Members (54 Occurrences)
... Aristobulus. (WEY). Romans 16:11 Greetings to mycountryman, Herodion; and to
the believing members of the household of Narcissus. (WEY)....
Ploughman (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) One who plows, or who holds and guides a plow; hence, a husbandman. 2.
(n.) A rustic; acountryman; a field laborer. Multi-Version Concordance...
Brother (402 Occurrences)
... (3.) Simply a fellow-countryman (Matthew 5:47; Acts 3:22; Hebrews 7:5). (4.)
A disciple or follower (Matthew 25:40; Hebrews 2:11, 12)....
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