Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, "outcasts" refers to individuals or groups who are marginalized, rejected, or excluded from the mainstream society or religious community. The concept of outcasts is prevalent throughout the Scriptures, highlighting God's concern for those who are often overlooked or shunned by others.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the term "outcasts" is frequently associated with the Israelites during times of exile and dispersion. The prophets often spoke of the restoration and gathering of these outcasts. For instance, Isaiah prophesies, "The Lord GOD, who gathers the dispersed of Israel, declares: 'I will gather to them still others besides those already gathered'" (
Isaiah 56:8). This promise underscores God's intention to restore and bring back those who have been scattered.
The Mosaic Law also contains provisions for the care of marginalized individuals, including foreigners, widows, and orphans, who could be considered societal outcasts.
Leviticus 19:34 instructs, "You must treat the foreigner living among you as native-born and love him as yourself, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt" . This command reflects God's heart for inclusivity and compassion towards those on the fringes of society.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, Jesus Christ's ministry is marked by His outreach to outcasts, including tax collectors, sinners, lepers, and Samaritans. Jesus' interactions with these individuals demonstrate His mission to seek and save the lost, as seen in His declaration, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost" (
Luke 19:10).
One notable example is Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well (
John 4:1-26). Despite cultural and social barriers, Jesus engages with her, offering her "living water" and revealing His identity as the Messiah. This interaction highlights Jesus' willingness to reach out to those considered outcasts by society.
The early church continued this mission, as seen in the inclusion of Gentiles and the breaking down of ethnic and social barriers. The Apostle Paul writes, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (
Galatians 3:28). This unity in Christ emphasizes the acceptance and integration of all believers, regardless of their previous status as outcasts.
Theological SignificanceThe biblical narrative consistently portrays God as a defender and restorer of outcasts. This theme is rooted in the character of God, who is described as "a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows" (
Psalm 68:5). God's concern for outcasts is a reflection of His justice, mercy, and love.
The inclusion of outcasts in God's redemptive plan serves as a powerful reminder of the gospel's transformative power. It challenges believers to emulate Christ's example by extending grace, compassion, and hospitality to those marginalized by society. The church is called to be a community where outcasts find acceptance, belonging, and restoration through the love of Christ.
Greek
656. aposunagogos -- expelled from the congregation... Word Origin from apo and sunagoge Definition expelled from the congregation NASB
Word Usage
outcasts from the synagogue (1), put out of the synagogue (2).
...Strong's Hebrew
1972. hala -- to be removed far off... 1971, 1972. hala. 1973 . to be removed far off. Transliteration: hala
Phonetic Spelling: (haw-law') Short Definition:
outcasts.
...5080. nadach -- to impel, thrust, banish
... 3), bring down (1), dispersed (1), drawn away (2), drive (3), driven (11), driven
away (5), hunted (1), led...astray (1), outcast (2),outcasts (6), scatter (1...
Library
Antichrist in Isaiah
... They intimate how that the persecuted Jews flee to the land of Moab for refuge "
"Hide theoutcasts; betray not him that wandereth," makes this clear....
The Friend of Publicans and Sinners
... II. His enemies' witness to Jesus as the friend of theoutcasts.... His censors could
not conceive of any one's seeking theoutcasts from pity and for their good....
A Gluttonous Man and a Winebibber
... the flesh reap corruption.'. II. Now, secondly, notice the enemies' witness
that Christ is the Friend ofoutcasts. As I said about...
The Publicans' Friend
... understood it. But He touched the hearts of theoutcasts. A gush of sympathy
melts souls frozen hard by icy winds of scorn. Levi...
The Holy Spirit and the World.
... It was more than spiritual. It made its subjectoutcasts. Hence Paul, in speaking
of the sufferings of the saints, declares they are madeoutcasts....
Love for Hate, the True Quid Pro Quo
... The whole district is seamed with ravines, and these are honeycombed with great
caverns, where dangerousoutcasts still lurk and defy capture....
Melted by Kindness
... He always dwells with special interest on incidents bringing out the character of
Christ as the Friend ofoutcasts. His is eminently the Gospel of forgiveness....
The Call of Matthew
... But he was a pariah in Capernaum, and the only guests he could assemble were, like
himself,outcasts from 'respectable society.' In popular estimation all...
Catholic Missions
... He determined to adopt new methods, to come to them not as a Portuguese but as a
Roman, to avoid all contact with the pariahs oroutcasts, to respect the...
The Two Debtors
... that all of us respectable people that never broke a law of the nation, and scarcely
ever a law of propriety, in our lives, and theoutcasts, if there are any...
Thesaurus
Outcasts (13 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Outcasts (13 Occurrences).
... We are mere weaklings: you
are strong. You are in high repute: we are
outcasts. (WEY).
...Dispersed (28 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 30:4 If any of thineoutcasts be in the uttermost parts of heaven, from
thence will Jehovah thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee...
Outcast (6 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 30:4 If any of youroutcasts are in the uttermost parts of the heavens,
from there will Yahweh your God gather you, and from there he will bring...
Gathers (27 Occurrences)
... stems. (See NIV). Psalms 147:2 Yahweh builds up Jerusalem. He gathers together
theoutcasts of Israel. (WEB NAS RSV NIV). Proverbs...
Uttermost (48 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 30:4 If any of youroutcasts are in the uttermost parts of the heavens,
from there will Yahweh your God gather you, and from there he will bring...
Outcome (26 Occurrences)
Scattered (122 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 1:9 but if you return to me, and keep my commandments and do them, though
youroutcasts were in the uttermost part of the heavens, yet will I gather...
Gathereth (65 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT). Psalms 147:2 The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth
together theoutcasts of Israel. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)....
Home (270 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) A place of refuge and rest; an asylum; as, a home foroutcasts; a home for
the blind; hence, esp., the grave; the final rest; also, the native and...
Home (270 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) A place of refuge and rest; an asylum; as, a home foroutcasts; a home for
the blind; hence, esp., the grave; the final rest; also, the native and...
Resources
What is a pariah? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the social gospel? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about social justice? | GotQuestions.orgOutcasts: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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