Embedded Files
The Bible has three different words for what are commonly translated now into English as one word: “foreigner.” Those three words are “ger,” “nekhar” and “zar.”
The word “ger” in ancient Hebrew is like what Americans would consider a legal immigrant or green card holder. In Biblical law, you can see all of the protections go to the ‘ger,’ the legal immigrant. They get the social benefits, and to join in the community worship and they have to observe the dietary laws.
Two other words used in Hebrew that are translated as ‘foreigner,’—‘nekhar’ and ‘zar,’” both mean illegal aliens. They’re not a part of the community. The Biblical law clearly makes a distinction.
What does the Bible say about foreigners (legal immigrants) in the land of Israel?
Foreigners were assumed to be a small minority of the Jewish population of Old Testament Israel. (In no way were they to come in such numbers to become the majority as is happening in America.)
As a small minority, foreigners were NOT to be mistreated by the larger Jewish population. Foreigners were expected to obey national laws and God's commandments. (Including immigration laws which are often violated in America)
Foreigners were mandated to obey the laws of Israel, Gods nation.
(Exodus 20:10, Leviticus 17:8-15, Leviticus 18:26, Leviticus 20:2, Leviticus 24:22, Numbers 9:14, Numbers 15:15-16, Numbers 15:30, + others)
Gods people were not to mistreat foreigners. (Exodus 22:21)
Foreigners were not allowed to own land. (Leviticus 25:23)
Foreigners (Illegal Invaders) were described as a punishment to the people of Israel when the Israelites were rebellious to God. (Isaiah 1:1-7, Lamentations 5:2)
Saint Thomas Aquinas Opposed Open Borders
Every nation has the right to distinguish, by country of origin, who can migrate to it and apply appropriate immigration policies, according to the great medieval scholar and saint Thomas Aquinas.
The Jewish people of Old Testament times did not admit visitors from all nations equally, since those peoples closer to them were more quickly integrated into the population than those who were not as close. Some antagonistic peoples were not admitted at all into Israel due to their hostility toward the Jewish people.
Three types of immigrants in the Israel of the Old Testament:
Foreigners who passed through their land as travelers,” much like modern day visitors with a travel visa.
Those who “came to dwell in their land as newcomers,” seemingly corresponding to resident aliens, perhaps with a green card, living in the land but not with the full benefits of citizenship.
Foreigners who wished “to be admitted entirely to their fellowship and mode of worship.” Those who wished to integrate fully into the life and worship of Israel "were not at once admitted to citizenship except after two or three generations.”
“If foreigners were allowed to meddle with the affairs of a nation as soon as they settled down in its midst,” Aquinas logically reasoned, “many dangers might occur, since the foreigners not yet having the common good firmly at heart might attempt something hurtful to the people.”
There Is No ‘Christian Case’ For Open Borders
There’s nothing “unchristian” or “anti-immigrant” about securing the border and closing off the gaping asylum loopholes that undermine the social fabric of our nation.
The House Judiciary Committee has reported that “Mexican drug cartel members are abusing the U.S. asylum system to bypass regular immigration checks and get into the country, where some are setting up smuggling operations and others engage in the same violent feuds that caused them to flee Mexico in the first place.” Laws meant to serve the oppressed should not create even more oppression in the false name of compassion.
The Bible unapologetically upholds the concept of sovereign nations. This is seen in various books in the Old Testament, including Numbers, Joshua, and Judges. Of note is Numbers 20, when the Israelites attempt to pass through Edom. First, the Israelites request passage, they do not demand it, nor do they cross illegally (Num. 20:17). Edom denied their request (Num. 20:18-20), and Israel complied with their denial and “turned away” (Num. 20:21). The Israelites did not presume they had a moral claim on the land simply because they showed up at their borders.
In fact, the Bible makes it crystal clear that governments should prioritize defending their citizens from harm (Romans 13:1-7). Securing the border and enforcing our asylum laws to protect American sovereignty and security isn’t “anti-immigrant” — it’s pro-citizen. Even better, it’s the true Christian approach, and the compassionate one, too.
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