SPECIAL TOPIC: THE PEOPLE OF THE LAND
This phrase has a wide range of meaning in the OT (see Roland deVaux, Ancient Israel, vol. 1, p. 70).
It can be used of non-Israelites.
- in Gen. 23:12-13 it is used of the Hittites
- in Gen. 42:6 it is used of Egyptians
- in Num. 14:9 it is used of Canaanites
It was also used of the children of Israel but in various ways during particular stages of their national development.
- it was used of the citizenry vs. the ruling aristocracy (monarchy)
- it was used of non-kosher common folk vs. kosher religious groups (NT)
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