UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: nation, people

Semantic entry: 11.55

Semantic domains: Groups and Classes of Persons and Members of Such Groups and Classes

Subdomains: Socio-Political

Definition: the largest unit into which the people of the world are divided on the basis of their constituting a socio-political community

Notes: In a number of languages a term meaning basically ‘tribe’ has been extended in meaning to identify ‘nations.’ In other instances different nations are spoken of simply as ‘different peoples.’ In certain cases distinct nations are classified primarily in terms of their diverse languages, for example, ‘those people who speak different languages.’ Such an expression should not, however, be used if it only refers to multilingual persons.

Sense 2: heathen, pagans, Gentiles

Semantic entry: 11.37

Semantic domains: Groups and Classes of Persons and Members of Such Groups and Classes

Subdomains: Socio-Religious

Definition: (an extended meaning of ἔθνος ‘nation,’ 11.55: ἔθνος / 11.55: λαός) those who do not belong to the Jewish or Christian faith

Notes: Though in a number of instances τὰ ἔθνη may be rendered as ‘those who do not believe in God,’ it is often more appropriate to render τὰ ἔθνη in terms of belief in other gods or in false gods. For example, RV EPH 4:17 · LV EPH 4:17 · Read together EPH 4:17 may be rendered as ‘do not any longer live like those who believe in idols’ or ‘… in gods who are not really God.’

Forms: (pl)

Collocations: τὰ ἔθνη