Israëls omgang met vreemdelingen: van ban tot barmhartigheid

Samenvatting

Verschenen in gedrukte jaargang 50 (2007), nr. 4, p.361-379.  

In the Old Testament, we find a broad range of postures to foreigners: whereas the Israelites once were called to annihilate the Canaanites, they also were commanded to show mercy toward foreigners in their midst. This article explores the origins of these seemingly contrasting attitudes. The rich and free patriarchs had once resided in Canaan as respected foreigners and when in Egypt the people of Israel underwent oppression. Examination of the position of the foreigner in Israel’s laws tells us that while the Old Testament laws required a friendly attitude toward foreigners along with widows and orphans, this did not conflict with the heavenly verdict to destroy the Canaanites because of their sins. After the Israelites settled in their land and the monarchy was established, many foreigners became incorporated into that nation. The identity of the people of God was based more on religious than on ethnic grounds.