Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

BARBARIAN

A person not of Greek culture or language (Gk. bárbaros). Originally an onomatopoeic term denoting stammering or unintelligible sounds (“bar bar”), it was used in the LXX, Philo, Josephus, and NT to distinguish “uncivilized” hellenized persons, often but not necessarily with a derogatory connotation.

In the NT the non-hellenized inhabitants of Malta, twice called bárbaroi (Acts 28:2, 4; NRSV “natives”) without derogatory connotations, are praised for their “unusual kindness,” and Paul uses the term with its original linguistic connotation (1 Cor. 14:11; NRSV “foreigner”). Paul also uses “barbarians” as an antonym to “Greeks,” with the two groups together constituting the “Gentiles,” who are distinguished from the “Jews” (Rom. 1:14). However, “Greeks” could be used as an inclusive term for all non-Jews (e.g., Rom. 1:16; 2:9), forming a contrast (Jew-Greek) comparable to that used by Greeks (Greek-barbarian). Perhaps three ethnic categories are also intended (Jew/circumcised, Greek/uncircumcised, barbarian [including Scythian]) along with two social categories (slave/Scythian, free) in Col. 3:11.

Eric F. Mason

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

BARBARIAN

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)