ἀλλόφυλος
allóphylos
G246 substantive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Belonging to another tribe or nation, foreigner; in some contexts, one who is not part of the specific ethnos or community referred to by the speaker, typically used to contrast non-Israelites or non-Judeans from members of those groups. The semantic range extends to 'outsider', 'one of a different tribe', and more generally 'foreigner'.
Semantic Range
one of another tribe, foreigner, outsider, one who is not an Israelite or Judean, one of a different nation, Gentile
Root / Etymology
From ἄλλος ('other') and φυλή ('tribe', 'people', 'nation').
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ἀλλόφυλος denoted someone belonging to another tribe or ethnic group. In the Septuagint (LXX), it is commonly used to translate Hebrew terms for 'the Philistines' or other non-Israelite nations, effectively meaning 'of another people/nation'. The term highlights difference by ethnicity or political group rather than focusing specifically on religious identity. In Hellenistic and Roman contexts, including the New Testament, it continues to mean 'foreigner' or 'non-member of the in-group', though usage is relatively rare. English translations like 'Gentile' or 'one of another nation' often reflect interpretive choices tied to later or Christian concepts not present in the original text. The word is distinct from ἔθνος (nation, Gentile) and ξένος (stranger, foreigner), with ἀλλόφυλος emphasizing group differentiation by lineage or nationality rather than mere geographic or cultural separation.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἄλλος and φυλή; foreign, i.e. (specially) Gentile:--one of another nation.
Root Family
ἀλλόφυλος (allophylos) — other, different, tribe, people, nation
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G246-01 |
ἀλλοφύλῳ | allophulo | ADJ.S DAT M SG |
to one of another nation | to one of another tribe | to one of another tribe | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G246-01 |
Acts 10:28 | ἀλλοφύλῳ | allophulo | ADJ.S DAT M SG |
to one of another nation | to one of another tribe | to one of another tribe |