Brief Overview of ἀλλογενής (G241)

The Greek word ἀλλογενής (allogenēs) translates to “foreign” or “strange” and is used to describe someone who is of a different race or nation. It combines ἄλλος (allos), meaning “other” or “different,” with γενής (genēs), meaning “born” or “kind.” In the New Testament, this term is used to denote someone who is not a native or a member of the specific group being referenced, often contrasting with those who are of the same race or nation.

Detailed Overview

1. Strong’s Concordance:

• G241 ἀλλογενής (allogenēs): Strong’s Concordance defines ἀλλογενής as “of another race” or “foreign.” It is derived from ἄλλος (allos), meaning “another,” and γενής (genēs), meaning “kind” or “race.” The term is used to describe individuals who are of a different nationality or ethnic group.

1. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon:

• Thayer’s Lexicon defines ἀλλογενής as “foreign” or “of another race.” It notes that the term is used in the New Testament to refer to individuals who are not of the same race or nation as those being described. This lexicon emphasizes the term’s application in distinguishing between different ethnic or national groups.

1. Liddell-Scott-Jones (LSJ) Greek-English Lexicon:

• The LSJ Lexicon provides a similar definition, describing ἀλλογενής as “foreign” or “alien.” It is used to indicate someone who belongs to a different race or nation, highlighting the distinction between native and non-native individuals.

1. Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB) Lexicon:

• The BDB Lexicon, while focused on Hebrew, corroborates the use of ἀλλογενής in Greek as meaning “foreign” or “of another race.” It supports the idea that the term is used to describe individuals from different ethnic or national backgrounds.

In summary, ἀλλογενής (allogenēs) means “foreign” or “of another race,” referring to individuals who are not of the same nationality or ethnic group as those being discussed. This understanding is consistent across Strong’s Concordance, Thayer’s Lexicon, the LSJ Lexicon, and the BDB Lexicon, all of which describe its use in denoting differences in race or nationality.