Proselyte biblical meaning, Proselyte in the Bible, meaning of Proselyte.
A proselyte is a new convert, especially someone who has recently moved from one religion to another. In some Christian churches, a proselyte must be baptized. The word proselyte can be used to talk about any type of convert, even those who are not religious.
The Law of Moses established specific rules regarding the admission into the community of Israel of those who were not born Israelites. The New Testament mentions proselytes in synagogues. The name proselyte only appears in the New Testament in Matthew and in the Acts. The name by which they are commonly designated is “devout men,” or “God-fearing” men, or “God-worshippers,” “Heaven-fearing,” or “God-fearing.”
In Rabbinic Judaism there are two types of proselytes: ger tzedek (fair proselytes, righteousness proselytes, religious proselytes, devout proselytes) and ger toshav (resident proselytes, gate proselytes, limited proselytes, half proselytes).
A “righteous proselyte” is a Gentile who has converted to Judaism, is bound by all the doctrines and precepts of the Jewish religion, and is considered a full member of the Jewish people. The proselyte is circumcised as an adult (milah l’shem giur), if he is male, and immersed in a mikvah to formally effect the conversion.
A “gate proselyte” is a resident foreigner who lives in the Land of Israel and follows some of the Jewish customs. He is not required to be circumcised or to observe all of the Torah. They are only obliged to comply with the Seven Laws of Noah (do not worship idols, do not blaspheme the name of God, do not murder, do not commit fornication (immoral sexual acts), do not steal, do not tear the member of a live animal and do not leave to establish the rule of law) to secure a place in the world to come.
The “religious proselytes” spoken of in early Christian writings were probably just proselytes rather than door proselytes. However, it is disputed whether proselytes known as God-fearing (Phoboumenoi) and/or worshipers (Sebomenoi), who were baptized but not circumcised, fall into the category of righteous or of the gate. The New Testament uses the word four times, referring exclusively to converts to Judaism, and never to conversion to Christianity.
Last updated: September 04, 2022