גּוֹי (goy)
goy
nation; Goiim; Gentile; (Harosheth)-hagoyim
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 387 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew word goy simply means a nation or a people group. It is a neutral term that appears 387 times in the Old Testament, with frequent use in Jeremiah, Isaiah, and Deuteronomy. While modern readers often associate it exclusively with non-Israelites, its original scope was much broader. In Genesis 12:2, God promises Abraham that he will become a great goy, referring to the Israelite nation itself.
The term distinguishes between different political or ethnic entities rather than carrying an inherent religious judgment. It can refer to foreign powers like Egypt or Babylon, but also to the descendants of Jacob. In poetic passages, it is even used metaphorically for swarms of locusts, emphasizing their collective nature as a vast multitude. The plural form, goyim, typically refers to the surrounding nations in contrast to Israel.
This linguistic neutrality clarifies many biblical passages where "nations" are included in God's redemptive plan rather than merely excluded from it. Prophets like Isaiah envision a future where the goyim stream to Jerusalem, sharing in the worship of the God of Israel. The word underscores that belonging to God is not limited by ethnic boundaries, but encompasses all peoples who respond to His covenant.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word goy simply means a nation or a people group. It is a neutral term that appears 387 times in the Old Testament, with frequent use in Jeremiah, Isaiah, and Deuteronomy. While modern readers often associate it exclusively with non-Israelites, its original scope was much broader. In Genesis 12:2, God promises Abraham that he will become a great goy, referring to the Israelite nation itself.
The term distinguishes between different political or ethnic entities rather than carrying an inherent religious judgment. It can refer to foreign powers like Egypt or Babylon, but also to the descendants of Jacob. In poetic passages, it is even used metaphorically for swarms of locusts, emphasizing their collective nature as a vast multitude.
The plural form, goyim, typically refers to the surrounding nations in contrast to Israel. This linguistic neutrality clarifies many biblical passages where 'nations' are included in God's redemptive plan rather than merely excluded from it. Prophets like Isaiah envision a future where the goyim stream to Jerusalem, sharing in the worship of the God of Israel.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 387 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ nations128×
- nations80×
- among the/ nations39×
- a nation33×
- the/ nation23×
- nation14×
- [the] nations of11×
- [the] nations11×
- into/ a nation8×
- to the/ nations5×
- [is] a nation5×
- <into>/ a nation5×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/גּוֹיִ֔ם27×
- הַ/גּוֹיִ֑ם18×
- גּוֹיִ֔ם17×
- הַ/גּוֹיִם֙15×
- גּוֹיִ֣ם13×
- הַ/גּוֹיִ֖ם12×
- הַ/גּוֹיִֽם\׃11×
- הַ/גּוֹיִ֥ם11×
- גוֹיִם֙9×
- גּוֹיִֽם\׃9×
- גּוֹיִ֖ם9×
- גּ֖וֹי8×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 12:2
I will make of you a great nation. I will bless you and make your name great. You will be a blessing.
This verse establishes that goy can refer to the Israelites themselves as a great nation chosen by God.
-
Genesis 17:6
I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you. Kings will come out of you.
God promises Abraham that he will be the father of many nations, showing the term's broad application to future descendants.
-
Exodus 19:6
and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”
Israel is called a holy nation, highlighting that goy denotes a distinct people group set apart for God's purposes.
-
Genesis 22:18
All the nations of the earth will be blessed by your offspring, because you have obeyed my voice.’”
The blessing to all nations through Abraham's offspring points to the universal scope of God's promise beyond Israel alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word goy mean?
Is goy always a negative term for Gentiles?
How is goy different from am?
Where does goy appear most frequently?
Every Occurrence (387 verses across 32 books)
Genesis 23 verses
Of these were the islands of the nations divided in their lands, everyone after his language, after their families, in…
Genesis 10:20These are the sons of Ham, after their families, according to their languages, in their lands and their nations.
Genesis 10:31These are the sons of Shem, by their families, according to their languages, lands, and nations.
Genesis 10:32These are the families of the sons of Noah, by their generations, according to their nations. The nations divided from…
Genesis 12:2I will make of you a great nation. I will bless you and make your name great. You will be a blessing.
Genesis 14:1In the days of Amraphel, king of Shinar; Arioch, king of Ellasar; Chedorlaomer, king of Elam; and Tidal, king of Goiim,
Genesis 14:9against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings…
Genesis 15:14I will also judge that nation, whom they will serve. Afterward they will come out with great wealth;
Genesis 17:4“As for me, behold, my covenant is with you. You will be the father of a multitude of nations.
Genesis 17:5Your name will no more be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham; for I have made you the father of a multitude of…
Genesis 17:6I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you. Kings will come out of you.
Genesis 17:16I will bless her, and moreover I will give you a son by her. Yes, I will bless her, and she will be a mother of…
Genesis 17:20As for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him…
Genesis 18:18since Abraham will surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed in him?
Genesis 20:4Now Abimelech had not come near her. He said, “Lord, will you kill even a righteous nation?
Genesis 21:13I will also make a nation of the son of the servant, because he is your child.”
Genesis 21:18Get up, lift up the boy, and hold him with your hand. For I will make him a great nation.”
Genesis 22:18All the nations of the earth will be blessed by your offspring, because you have obeyed my voice.’”
Genesis 25:23Yahweh said to her, “Two nations are in your womb. Two peoples will be separated from your body. The one people will be…
Genesis 26:4I will multiply your offspring as the stars of the sky, and will give all these lands to your offspring. In your…
Genesis 35:11God said to him, “I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply. A nation and a company of nations will be from you, and…
Genesis 46:3He said, “I am God, the God of your father. Don’t be afraid to go down into Egypt, for there I will make of you a great…
Genesis 48:19His father refused, and said, “I know, my son, I know. He also will become a people, and he also will be great.…