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Nekar/Foreigner/Ger/Sojourner
A non-Israelite who comes into temporary contact with the Hebrews as merchant, traveler, or military invader; thus distinguished from the SOJOURNER or resident alien. The term also indicates the gods of foreign nations (e.g., Josh. 24:20; Jer. 5:19; 8:19).
Foreigners could not be kings over Israel (Deut. 17:15) and were restricted in financial transactions (15:3; 23:20). They were prohibited from entering the temple (Ezek. 44:7) and could not participate in cultic observances (e.g., Exod. 12:43; Lev. 22:25). Although the Exile brought some concessions to foreigners (cf. Isa. 56:3, 6), they might still be viewed with suspicion as a potential threat to the Israelite community and religion (cf. Ezra 10:2ff.; Neh. 9:2).
A technical term (from gûr “sojourn”) designating persons living in a place other than their own home or home country. The gēr (RSV, KJV often “stranger”; RSV also “alien”) was not a native member of the community in which he resided (in most cases as a permanent resident) but who had certain rights as a resident, hence the alternate translation “resident alien.” The sojourner’s “community” could be a household of which that person became a dependent (usually a servant) during difficult times (e.g., Gen. 32:4 [MT 5]; Exod. 20:10; 1 Kgs. 17:20; cf. Job 19:15; RSV “guests”; KJV “they that dwell”), or a town, region, or nation in which the sojourner had taken up residence (e.g., Gen. 19:9; Exod. 2:22; Judg. 19:16; Ruth 1:1; 2 Sam. 4:3; 2 Kgs. 8:1–2; 2 Chr. 15:9).
The Old Testament laws sought to protect the sojourner and to define his status in Israelite society. Israel’s own experience as a class of mistreated foreigners in Egypt was to be recalled and mercy thus shown the sojourner (Exod. 23:9; Lev. 19:34;, Deut. 23:7 [MT 8]). Certain rights were held by sojourners as well as Israelites, including the right to the Sabbath rest (Exod. 23:12), to a fair trial (Deut. 1:16), to participation in sacrificial meals (16:11), and to the gleaning of fields and vineyards alongside other disadvantaged people (Lev. 19:9–10). Sojourners were obligated to observe the feasts, sacrifices, and prohibitions associated with Israelite religion (Exod. 12:49; Lev. 16:29; 17:8–9; 18:26; Num. 15:29) once they had identified with the Israelite community by being circumcised (Exod. 12:43–44, 48; cf. v. 45). For an Israelite to become a servant of a prosperous sojourner was considered an unfortunate circumstance (cf. Deut. 28:43) for which special legislative provisions were made (Lev. 25:47–55). Although sojourners were otherwise to be regarded as nearly equivalent to native Israelites, some incidents did occur in which this ideal was not adhered to (1 Chr. 22:2; 2 Chr. 2:17–18 MT 16–17]).