Topical Encyclopedia
The term "outlandish" is often used to describe something foreign, strange, or bizarre. In the context of the Bible, it is typically associated with practices, customs, or influences that are alien to the covenant community of Israel and contrary to the worship of Yahweh. The concept of outlandishness is significant in understanding the challenges faced by the Israelites in maintaining their distinct identity and faithfulness to God amidst surrounding pagan cultures.
Biblical References:1.
Solomon's Wives and Idolatry: One of the most notable uses of the concept of outlandishness is found in the account of King Solomon. Despite his wisdom, Solomon's heart was led astray by his many foreign wives, who brought with them their outlandish gods and practices. The Berean Standard Bible states, "He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives turned his heart away" (
1 Kings 11:3). These outlandish influences led Solomon to build high places for idols, which was a direct violation of God's commandments.
2.
Ezra's Reforms: During the time of Ezra, the issue of outlandish marriages again came to the forefront. The Israelites had taken foreign wives, which threatened the purity of their worship and obedience to the Law.
Ezra 10:2 records the people's confession: "We have been unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women from the peoples around us." Ezra's reforms included the difficult decision to separate from these outlandish influences to restore the community's covenant faithfulness.
3.
Nehemiah's Confrontation: Similarly, Nehemiah faced the challenge of outlandish practices when he returned to Jerusalem. He discovered that some of the Israelites had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab.
Nehemiah 13:26 reminds the people of Solomon's downfall: "Did not Solomon king of Israel sin on account of such women? Among the many nations there was no king like him, and he was loved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel, yet foreign women led him into sin."
Theological Implications:The concept of outlandishness in the Bible underscores the importance of maintaining spiritual purity and distinctiveness as God's people. The Israelites were called to be a holy nation, set apart for the Lord. The introduction of outlandish customs and idolatry posed a significant threat to their covenant relationship with God. The repeated warnings and reforms highlight the need for vigilance against influences that could lead to spiritual compromise.
Cultural and Historical Context:In the ancient Near East, intermarriage with foreign nations often led to the blending of religious practices. This syncretism was a constant temptation for Israel, surrounded by nations with diverse deities and rituals. The biblical narrative consistently portrays outlandish influences as a snare that could lead to the erosion of true worship and obedience to Yahweh.
Moral and Ethical Lessons:The biblical accounts involving outlandish influences serve as a cautionary tale for believers. They emphasize the importance of discernment and the need to guard against adopting practices or beliefs that are contrary to the teachings of Scripture. The call to holiness and separation from worldly influences remains a relevant and enduring principle for the faithful.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Unconventional; bizarre; unfamiliar; foreign; as, an outlandish costume.
2. (a.) Hence: Not according with usage; strange; rude; barbarous; uncouth; clownish; as, an outlandish dress, behavior, or speech.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
OUTLANDISHout-land'-ish (Nehemiah 13:26, the King James Version "Him did outlandish women cause to sin") "Outlandish" in modern English is colloquial only and with the sense "utterly extraordinary," but the King James Version uses it in the literal meaning "out of the land," "foreign," the English Revised Version "strange women," the American Standard Revised Version "foreign women," Hebrew nokhri, "foreign."
Strong's Hebrew
5237. nokri -- foreign, alien... stranger (1). alien, foreigner,
outlandish, stranger, woman. From neker (second
form); strange, in a variety of degrees and applications
...8453. toshab -- a sojourner
... manner. Or toshab (1 Kings 17:1) {to-shawb'}; from yashab; a dweller (but not
outlandish (nokriy)); especially (as distinguished from a native citizen (active...
Library
Your Origen Allows Himself to Treat of the Transmigration of Souls...
... consistent. Why should I take you to anyoutlandish writers? Go... consistent.
Why should I take you to anyoutlandish writers? Go...
Arguments Drawn Even from Heathenish Laws to Discountenance...
... Whence but from the devil are they to seek a husband apt for maintaining their sedan,
and their mules, and their hair-curlers ofoutlandish stature?...
Faith
... the Spirit.' Galatians 5:22. Faith does not grow in nature, it is an
outlandish plant, a fruit of the Spirit. This grace of faith...
Although Writing in Latin He Proposes to Retain the Greek Names of...
... In order then, that no one may be blinded by so manyoutlandish [6673] names, collected
together, and adjusted at pleasure, [6674] and of doubtful import, I...
On Hearing These Matters, those who were Present Gave Great Glory...
... a crowd of auditors around him, and was haranguing [1863] them, and putting before
the people who were present certainoutlandish assertions altogether foreign...
The Wonderful Skill with which Origen Prepares Gregory and...
... theirs is a discipline of little value and no necessity: but in accordance with
that which is most needful for all, whether Greek oroutlandish, whether wise...
The Paschal Meal. Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet.
... But what we would do if we followed his words literally would be to introduce a
strange,outlandish practice, which would put a guest to great embarrassment...
The Gentle Boy
... The pale, spiritual face, the eyes that seemed to mingle with the moonlight, the
sweet airy voice, and theoutlandish name almost made the Puritan believe that...
The Life of Paulus the First Hermit.
... Where in these parts is a servant of God living?" The monster after gnashing out
some kind ofoutlandish utterance, in words broken rather than spoken through...
A Letter from a West Indian Cottage Ornee
... of sensitive plants, scarlet-flowered dwarf Balisiers, {81a} climbing fern, {81b}
convolvuluses of every hue, and an endless variety ofoutlandish leaves, over...
Thesaurus
Outlandish (1 Occurrence)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Unconventional; bizarre; unfamiliar; foreign;
as, an
outlandish costume.
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
OUTLANDISH.
...Outlaw (6 Occurrences)
Outgoings (21 Occurrences)
Alien (102 Occurrences)
... 5:2)-"strange," in a variety of degrees and meanings: "foreign," "non-relative,"
"adulterous," "different," "wonderful," "alien," "outlandish," "strange." In...
Resources
Was Martin Luther anti-Semitic? | GotQuestions.orgIs there any truth to the Bermuda Triangle conspiracy theories? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Acts of John? | GotQuestions.orgOutlandish: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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