Should the word “Gentile” be capitalized? The 2019 Stack Overflow Developer Survey Results Are InWhich words in a title should be capitalized?When using complete sentences in parenthetical e.g. or i.e. situations, should the first word be capitalized?King James Bible archaic styleHow should the year be capitalized?What is the correct term in English prose for HTML page or html page?Should I capitalize the middle of a sentence broken up by long examples?Capitalization of Technical Terms/Proper NounsWhen naming a keyboard, key, should the key's name be capitalized?Should “people of color” be capitalized?Is “a-okay” acceptable in lowercase?Is the internet still capitalised in 2018?

Feasability of miniature nuclear reactors for humanoid cyborgs

Is there a name of the flying bionic bird?

Are there any other methods to apply to solving simultaneous equations?

How can I fix this gap between bookcases I made?

"Riffle" two strings

Polarization lost upon 2nd reflection?

Pristine Bit Checking

What does "rabbited" mean/imply in this sentence?

Where does the "burst of radiance" from Holy Weapon originate?

Why do UK politicians seemingly ignore opinion polls on Brexit?

Patience, young "Padovan"

Confusion about non-derivable continuous functions

Why is Grand Jury testimony secret?

How to make payment on the internet without leaving a money trail?

Lethal sonic weapons

Is this food a bread or a loaf?

Could JWST stay at L2 "forever"?

Why Did Howard Stark Use All The Vibranium They Had On A Prototype Shield?

Can't find the latex code for the ⍎ (down tack jot) symbol

What function has this graph?

JSON.serialize: is it possible to suppress null values of a map?

Spanish for "widget"

Access elements in std::string where positon of string is greater than its size

What is the best strategy for white in this position?



Should the word “Gentile” be capitalized?



The 2019 Stack Overflow Developer Survey Results Are InWhich words in a title should be capitalized?When using complete sentences in parenthetical e.g. or i.e. situations, should the first word be capitalized?King James Bible archaic styleHow should the year be capitalized?What is the correct term in English prose for HTML page or html page?Should I capitalize the middle of a sentence broken up by long examples?Capitalization of Technical Terms/Proper NounsWhen naming a keyboard, key, should the key's name be capitalized?Should “people of color” be capitalized?Is “a-okay” acceptable in lowercase?Is the internet still capitalised in 2018?



.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__bot-mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0;








12















I've read some texts and versions of the Bible using the capitalized form of Gentile and others using just a lowercase version. I couldn't find any standards on its usage.










share|improve this question






























    12















    I've read some texts and versions of the Bible using the capitalized form of Gentile and others using just a lowercase version. I couldn't find any standards on its usage.










    share|improve this question


























      12












      12








      12


      1






      I've read some texts and versions of the Bible using the capitalized form of Gentile and others using just a lowercase version. I couldn't find any standards on its usage.










      share|improve this question
















      I've read some texts and versions of the Bible using the capitalized form of Gentile and others using just a lowercase version. I couldn't find any standards on its usage.







      capitalization






      share|improve this question















      share|improve this question













      share|improve this question




      share|improve this question








      edited Jan 4 '12 at 21:59









      Marthaª

      27.5k1088145




      27.5k1088145










      asked Jan 4 '12 at 13:01









      JonnJonn

      1,04941517




      1,04941517




















          10 Answers
          10






          active

          oldest

          votes


















          7














          When used as an adjective meaning ‘of or pertaining to any or all of the nations other than the Jewish’, the OED states that ‘it is now usually written with capital initial’. Similarly, it says of the noun meaning ‘one of any nation other than the Jewish’, it is ‘usually with capital G’.






          share|improve this answer






























            4














            Gentiles are not a specific group. They are everyone who is not Jewish. They do not represent any particular ethnicity, belief system, national group, or ideology — other than being not Jewish.



            Words with a similar scope are "pagan," "heathen," and "foreign." Even though "pagan" and "heathen" could be taken as representing a very coarsely defined type of religion, they do not represent distinct groups or belief systems. I think most people would agree that these words should not be capitalized.



            The online dictionaries that I checked show "gentile" as a lowercase word, in contrast to other proper nouns such as "Jew" that they display capitalized:




            • Merriam-Webster (but says, "often capitalized")

            • Dictionary.com

            • Oxford Living Dictionaries

            • Cambridge Dictionary

            Based on this evidence, it's safe to treat "gentile" as a standard lowercase word.






            share|improve this answer
































              2














              Quoted from wikipedia :




              The term Gentile (from Latin gentilis, by the French "gentil", female: "gentille", meaning of or belonging to a clan or tribe) refers to non-Israelite peoples or nations in English translations of the Bible.



              Latin and subsequently English translators selectively used the term gentiles when the context for the base term "peoples" or "nations", Hebrew, גוי (goy) and נכרי (nokhri) in the Hebrew Bible and the Greek word ἔθνη (éthnē) in the New Testament, indicated non-Israelite peoples or nations. The term gentiles is derived from Latin, used for contextual translation, and not an original Hebrew or Greek word from the Bible.



              Following Christianization of the Roman Empire, the general implication of the word gentile became "non-Jew".




              In short when we are referring to the "non-Jew" people, like a quality, it is lower-cased. When we are speaking about group of people - non-Israelite peoples, it is capitalized.






              share|improve this answer
































                1














                When it means "a person who is not Jewish," it is written Gentile. When, for example, it means "not belonging to one's own religious community," it is written gentile.






                share|improve this answer






























                  1














                  This is more of a sociological and historical answer. "Gentile," when spoken or written by a Jew, is no more a proper noun than if he were to use "foreigner" since all it refers to is non-Jews and we do not capitalize "non-Jews" or "foreigners." So, if some style manual advises capitalizing "gentile," a Jew, in order to assimilate, would probably capitalize it, even while realizing how silly the convention is. Likewise, "Pharisee" is defined in many dictionaries as "hypocrite" although that is hardly what it meant in biblical times and the early centuries CE when there were Pharisees. The way it is sometimes used in the New Testament is in criticizing Pharisees--i.e. it is an opinion. But we do not define the Democratic or Republican party by the other party's criticisms of it. The Pharisees were a sect or party within Judaism.






                  share|improve this answer






























                    0














                    Chicago Manual of Style, 7.33 says "The names of specific racial, linguistic, tribal, religious, and other groupings of people are capitalized"; thus, as a grouping of people, Gentile is capitalized.






                    share|improve this answer


















                    • 1





                      Hello, Michael. Sadly, CMOS is inconsistent, advising that 'whites' and 'blacks' be written in lower case. Probably these are not regarded as being as 'specific' as say French, Asian, Buddhist ... And 'G/gentile' is, I'd argue, more akin to 'white' as regards specificity than to 'American'.

                      – Edwin Ashworth
                      Dec 27 '16 at 0:12


















                    0














                    The Gentiles are described in the Book of Genesis, Chapter Ten (10:5) with capitalization...K.J.V.
                    The Gentiles are also mentioned in Zechariah, Chapter One (1:15,21)...K.J.V., although verse 15 is written as "Heathen" in the K.J.V.version of the Bible, in other versions of the Bible "Heathen" is referred to as "Gentiles" and "Pagans" are considered to be non-Israelite. Also the New Testament talks about "A people without GOD"...
                    Ephesians Chapter Two (2:11-12)...K.J.V.
                    No matter whose tribe we came from, thank GOD for JESUS...
                    "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God"- Romans Chapter Three (3:23)...K.J.V.






                    share|improve this answer























                    • Hi Ruth, welcome to the site! I don't feel that this answers the original question on whether someone should capitalize 'gentile' or not.

                      – mkennedy
                      Dec 19 '18 at 19:23


















                    0














                    The standard academic style guide for biblical studies has this:
                    gentile(s) (noun and adj.)




                    The SBL Handbook of Style, 2nd ed. (Atlanta, GA: SBL Press, 2014), 42.



                    Merriam-Webster lists both noun and adjective in lower case, but in both cases adds "often capitalized."






                    share|improve this answer








                    New contributor




                    Dale Brueggemann is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                    Check out our Code of Conduct.



























                      -1














                      I don't buy this. Gentile, like Semite, is a proper noun. I note that Semite is always capitalized, yet Gentile should not always be according to some. I think this should be a consistent use and be capitalized when used as a proper noun, and not, when used as an adjective. I find also that every Bible translation that I looked up (KJV, NKJV, NIV, NAB,
                      ESV, NLT) all follow the same principle in which the word, Gentile, as a proper noun is capitalized.



                      If you are going to capitalize proper nouns, and capitalize other proper nouns associated with the use of the proper noun of "Gentile," like "Semite," and "Jew," then you need to be consistent with all such usage. I think that the Bible translators recognized this.






                      share|improve this answer


















                      • 3





                        Welcome to English Language & Usage. Your answer seems to be a response to another answer. This site is not actually a discussion site: it's a Q&A site, which means answers should stand on their own. Consider editing to make your answer stand alone, or moving your answer to a comment, depending on your intentions. Also be aware that comments on a Q&A site should offer constructive suggestions for improving a Q (or A). If what you really wish to do is discuss, come on over to chat.

                        – MetaEd
                        Feb 12 '13 at 16:51











                      • The question hinges on whether 'G/gentile' is a proper noun or not. Note that the metaphorical usage of jonah is now usually written in lower case. And also that we write Australian etc but foreigner. I'm not saying that non-capitalisation of Gentile is correct (I'd usually capitalise), but Bible translations are written in the relevant modern language and should use standard forms (or add explanatory notes where translators feel it necessary not to do so). Inerrancy does not extend to translations.

                        – Edwin Ashworth
                        Dec 27 '16 at 0:20



















                      -4














                      This is a religious debate, not proper grammar, which it should be. Gentile is NEVER capitalized unless it is the first word in a sentence. And no, I'm not Jewish.






                      share|improve this answer


















                      • 3





                        We've got answers that contradict your that provide sources. Would you care to provide anything to back up your opinion?

                        – Matt E. Эллен
                        Sep 12 '13 at 8:40











                      Your Answer








                      StackExchange.ready(function()
                      var channelOptions =
                      tags: "".split(" "),
                      id: "97"
                      ;
                      initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);

                      StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function()
                      // Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
                      if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled)
                      StackExchange.using("snippets", function()
                      createEditor();
                      );

                      else
                      createEditor();

                      );

                      function createEditor()
                      StackExchange.prepareEditor(
                      heartbeatType: 'answer',
                      autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
                      convertImagesToLinks: false,
                      noModals: true,
                      showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
                      reputationToPostImages: null,
                      bindNavPrevention: true,
                      postfix: "",
                      imageUploader:
                      brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
                      contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
                      allowUrls: true
                      ,
                      noCode: true, onDemand: true,
                      discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
                      ,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
                      );



                      );













                      draft saved

                      draft discarded


















                      StackExchange.ready(
                      function ()
                      StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fenglish.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f53627%2fshould-the-word-gentile-be-capitalized%23new-answer', 'question_page');

                      );

                      Post as a guest















                      Required, but never shown

























                      10 Answers
                      10






                      active

                      oldest

                      votes








                      10 Answers
                      10






                      active

                      oldest

                      votes









                      active

                      oldest

                      votes






                      active

                      oldest

                      votes









                      7














                      When used as an adjective meaning ‘of or pertaining to any or all of the nations other than the Jewish’, the OED states that ‘it is now usually written with capital initial’. Similarly, it says of the noun meaning ‘one of any nation other than the Jewish’, it is ‘usually with capital G’.






                      share|improve this answer



























                        7














                        When used as an adjective meaning ‘of or pertaining to any or all of the nations other than the Jewish’, the OED states that ‘it is now usually written with capital initial’. Similarly, it says of the noun meaning ‘one of any nation other than the Jewish’, it is ‘usually with capital G’.






                        share|improve this answer

























                          7












                          7








                          7







                          When used as an adjective meaning ‘of or pertaining to any or all of the nations other than the Jewish’, the OED states that ‘it is now usually written with capital initial’. Similarly, it says of the noun meaning ‘one of any nation other than the Jewish’, it is ‘usually with capital G’.






                          share|improve this answer













                          When used as an adjective meaning ‘of or pertaining to any or all of the nations other than the Jewish’, the OED states that ‘it is now usually written with capital initial’. Similarly, it says of the noun meaning ‘one of any nation other than the Jewish’, it is ‘usually with capital G’.







                          share|improve this answer












                          share|improve this answer



                          share|improve this answer










                          answered Jan 4 '12 at 17:21









                          Barrie EnglandBarrie England

                          129k10205355




                          129k10205355























                              4














                              Gentiles are not a specific group. They are everyone who is not Jewish. They do not represent any particular ethnicity, belief system, national group, or ideology — other than being not Jewish.



                              Words with a similar scope are "pagan," "heathen," and "foreign." Even though "pagan" and "heathen" could be taken as representing a very coarsely defined type of religion, they do not represent distinct groups or belief systems. I think most people would agree that these words should not be capitalized.



                              The online dictionaries that I checked show "gentile" as a lowercase word, in contrast to other proper nouns such as "Jew" that they display capitalized:




                              • Merriam-Webster (but says, "often capitalized")

                              • Dictionary.com

                              • Oxford Living Dictionaries

                              • Cambridge Dictionary

                              Based on this evidence, it's safe to treat "gentile" as a standard lowercase word.






                              share|improve this answer





























                                4














                                Gentiles are not a specific group. They are everyone who is not Jewish. They do not represent any particular ethnicity, belief system, national group, or ideology — other than being not Jewish.



                                Words with a similar scope are "pagan," "heathen," and "foreign." Even though "pagan" and "heathen" could be taken as representing a very coarsely defined type of religion, they do not represent distinct groups or belief systems. I think most people would agree that these words should not be capitalized.



                                The online dictionaries that I checked show "gentile" as a lowercase word, in contrast to other proper nouns such as "Jew" that they display capitalized:




                                • Merriam-Webster (but says, "often capitalized")

                                • Dictionary.com

                                • Oxford Living Dictionaries

                                • Cambridge Dictionary

                                Based on this evidence, it's safe to treat "gentile" as a standard lowercase word.






                                share|improve this answer



























                                  4












                                  4








                                  4







                                  Gentiles are not a specific group. They are everyone who is not Jewish. They do not represent any particular ethnicity, belief system, national group, or ideology — other than being not Jewish.



                                  Words with a similar scope are "pagan," "heathen," and "foreign." Even though "pagan" and "heathen" could be taken as representing a very coarsely defined type of religion, they do not represent distinct groups or belief systems. I think most people would agree that these words should not be capitalized.



                                  The online dictionaries that I checked show "gentile" as a lowercase word, in contrast to other proper nouns such as "Jew" that they display capitalized:




                                  • Merriam-Webster (but says, "often capitalized")

                                  • Dictionary.com

                                  • Oxford Living Dictionaries

                                  • Cambridge Dictionary

                                  Based on this evidence, it's safe to treat "gentile" as a standard lowercase word.






                                  share|improve this answer















                                  Gentiles are not a specific group. They are everyone who is not Jewish. They do not represent any particular ethnicity, belief system, national group, or ideology — other than being not Jewish.



                                  Words with a similar scope are "pagan," "heathen," and "foreign." Even though "pagan" and "heathen" could be taken as representing a very coarsely defined type of religion, they do not represent distinct groups or belief systems. I think most people would agree that these words should not be capitalized.



                                  The online dictionaries that I checked show "gentile" as a lowercase word, in contrast to other proper nouns such as "Jew" that they display capitalized:




                                  • Merriam-Webster (but says, "often capitalized")

                                  • Dictionary.com

                                  • Oxford Living Dictionaries

                                  • Cambridge Dictionary

                                  Based on this evidence, it's safe to treat "gentile" as a standard lowercase word.







                                  share|improve this answer














                                  share|improve this answer



                                  share|improve this answer








                                  edited Sep 20 '18 at 15:17

























                                  answered Sep 13 '18 at 18:32









                                  MichaelMichael

                                  514




                                  514





















                                      2














                                      Quoted from wikipedia :




                                      The term Gentile (from Latin gentilis, by the French "gentil", female: "gentille", meaning of or belonging to a clan or tribe) refers to non-Israelite peoples or nations in English translations of the Bible.



                                      Latin and subsequently English translators selectively used the term gentiles when the context for the base term "peoples" or "nations", Hebrew, גוי (goy) and נכרי (nokhri) in the Hebrew Bible and the Greek word ἔθνη (éthnē) in the New Testament, indicated non-Israelite peoples or nations. The term gentiles is derived from Latin, used for contextual translation, and not an original Hebrew or Greek word from the Bible.



                                      Following Christianization of the Roman Empire, the general implication of the word gentile became "non-Jew".




                                      In short when we are referring to the "non-Jew" people, like a quality, it is lower-cased. When we are speaking about group of people - non-Israelite peoples, it is capitalized.






                                      share|improve this answer





























                                        2














                                        Quoted from wikipedia :




                                        The term Gentile (from Latin gentilis, by the French "gentil", female: "gentille", meaning of or belonging to a clan or tribe) refers to non-Israelite peoples or nations in English translations of the Bible.



                                        Latin and subsequently English translators selectively used the term gentiles when the context for the base term "peoples" or "nations", Hebrew, גוי (goy) and נכרי (nokhri) in the Hebrew Bible and the Greek word ἔθνη (éthnē) in the New Testament, indicated non-Israelite peoples or nations. The term gentiles is derived from Latin, used for contextual translation, and not an original Hebrew or Greek word from the Bible.



                                        Following Christianization of the Roman Empire, the general implication of the word gentile became "non-Jew".




                                        In short when we are referring to the "non-Jew" people, like a quality, it is lower-cased. When we are speaking about group of people - non-Israelite peoples, it is capitalized.






                                        share|improve this answer



























                                          2












                                          2








                                          2







                                          Quoted from wikipedia :




                                          The term Gentile (from Latin gentilis, by the French "gentil", female: "gentille", meaning of or belonging to a clan or tribe) refers to non-Israelite peoples or nations in English translations of the Bible.



                                          Latin and subsequently English translators selectively used the term gentiles when the context for the base term "peoples" or "nations", Hebrew, גוי (goy) and נכרי (nokhri) in the Hebrew Bible and the Greek word ἔθνη (éthnē) in the New Testament, indicated non-Israelite peoples or nations. The term gentiles is derived from Latin, used for contextual translation, and not an original Hebrew or Greek word from the Bible.



                                          Following Christianization of the Roman Empire, the general implication of the word gentile became "non-Jew".




                                          In short when we are referring to the "non-Jew" people, like a quality, it is lower-cased. When we are speaking about group of people - non-Israelite peoples, it is capitalized.






                                          share|improve this answer















                                          Quoted from wikipedia :




                                          The term Gentile (from Latin gentilis, by the French "gentil", female: "gentille", meaning of or belonging to a clan or tribe) refers to non-Israelite peoples or nations in English translations of the Bible.



                                          Latin and subsequently English translators selectively used the term gentiles when the context for the base term "peoples" or "nations", Hebrew, גוי (goy) and נכרי (nokhri) in the Hebrew Bible and the Greek word ἔθνη (éthnē) in the New Testament, indicated non-Israelite peoples or nations. The term gentiles is derived from Latin, used for contextual translation, and not an original Hebrew or Greek word from the Bible.



                                          Following Christianization of the Roman Empire, the general implication of the word gentile became "non-Jew".




                                          In short when we are referring to the "non-Jew" people, like a quality, it is lower-cased. When we are speaking about group of people - non-Israelite peoples, it is capitalized.







                                          share|improve this answer














                                          share|improve this answer



                                          share|improve this answer








                                          edited Jan 4 '12 at 20:07

























                                          answered Jan 4 '12 at 13:20









                                          speedyGonzalesspeedyGonzales

                                          2,18461938




                                          2,18461938





















                                              1














                                              When it means "a person who is not Jewish," it is written Gentile. When, for example, it means "not belonging to one's own religious community," it is written gentile.






                                              share|improve this answer



























                                                1














                                                When it means "a person who is not Jewish," it is written Gentile. When, for example, it means "not belonging to one's own religious community," it is written gentile.






                                                share|improve this answer

























                                                  1












                                                  1








                                                  1







                                                  When it means "a person who is not Jewish," it is written Gentile. When, for example, it means "not belonging to one's own religious community," it is written gentile.






                                                  share|improve this answer













                                                  When it means "a person who is not Jewish," it is written Gentile. When, for example, it means "not belonging to one's own religious community," it is written gentile.







                                                  share|improve this answer












                                                  share|improve this answer



                                                  share|improve this answer










                                                  answered Jan 4 '12 at 13:41









                                                  kiamlalunokiamlaluno

                                                  43.9k57183296




                                                  43.9k57183296





















                                                      1














                                                      This is more of a sociological and historical answer. "Gentile," when spoken or written by a Jew, is no more a proper noun than if he were to use "foreigner" since all it refers to is non-Jews and we do not capitalize "non-Jews" or "foreigners." So, if some style manual advises capitalizing "gentile," a Jew, in order to assimilate, would probably capitalize it, even while realizing how silly the convention is. Likewise, "Pharisee" is defined in many dictionaries as "hypocrite" although that is hardly what it meant in biblical times and the early centuries CE when there were Pharisees. The way it is sometimes used in the New Testament is in criticizing Pharisees--i.e. it is an opinion. But we do not define the Democratic or Republican party by the other party's criticisms of it. The Pharisees were a sect or party within Judaism.






                                                      share|improve this answer



























                                                        1














                                                        This is more of a sociological and historical answer. "Gentile," when spoken or written by a Jew, is no more a proper noun than if he were to use "foreigner" since all it refers to is non-Jews and we do not capitalize "non-Jews" or "foreigners." So, if some style manual advises capitalizing "gentile," a Jew, in order to assimilate, would probably capitalize it, even while realizing how silly the convention is. Likewise, "Pharisee" is defined in many dictionaries as "hypocrite" although that is hardly what it meant in biblical times and the early centuries CE when there were Pharisees. The way it is sometimes used in the New Testament is in criticizing Pharisees--i.e. it is an opinion. But we do not define the Democratic or Republican party by the other party's criticisms of it. The Pharisees were a sect or party within Judaism.






                                                        share|improve this answer

























                                                          1












                                                          1








                                                          1







                                                          This is more of a sociological and historical answer. "Gentile," when spoken or written by a Jew, is no more a proper noun than if he were to use "foreigner" since all it refers to is non-Jews and we do not capitalize "non-Jews" or "foreigners." So, if some style manual advises capitalizing "gentile," a Jew, in order to assimilate, would probably capitalize it, even while realizing how silly the convention is. Likewise, "Pharisee" is defined in many dictionaries as "hypocrite" although that is hardly what it meant in biblical times and the early centuries CE when there were Pharisees. The way it is sometimes used in the New Testament is in criticizing Pharisees--i.e. it is an opinion. But we do not define the Democratic or Republican party by the other party's criticisms of it. The Pharisees were a sect or party within Judaism.






                                                          share|improve this answer













                                                          This is more of a sociological and historical answer. "Gentile," when spoken or written by a Jew, is no more a proper noun than if he were to use "foreigner" since all it refers to is non-Jews and we do not capitalize "non-Jews" or "foreigners." So, if some style manual advises capitalizing "gentile," a Jew, in order to assimilate, would probably capitalize it, even while realizing how silly the convention is. Likewise, "Pharisee" is defined in many dictionaries as "hypocrite" although that is hardly what it meant in biblical times and the early centuries CE when there were Pharisees. The way it is sometimes used in the New Testament is in criticizing Pharisees--i.e. it is an opinion. But we do not define the Democratic or Republican party by the other party's criticisms of it. The Pharisees were a sect or party within Judaism.







                                                          share|improve this answer












                                                          share|improve this answer



                                                          share|improve this answer










                                                          answered Mar 11 '18 at 19:06









                                                          Steve BrudneySteve Brudney

                                                          111




                                                          111





















                                                              0














                                                              Chicago Manual of Style, 7.33 says "The names of specific racial, linguistic, tribal, religious, and other groupings of people are capitalized"; thus, as a grouping of people, Gentile is capitalized.






                                                              share|improve this answer


















                                                              • 1





                                                                Hello, Michael. Sadly, CMOS is inconsistent, advising that 'whites' and 'blacks' be written in lower case. Probably these are not regarded as being as 'specific' as say French, Asian, Buddhist ... And 'G/gentile' is, I'd argue, more akin to 'white' as regards specificity than to 'American'.

                                                                – Edwin Ashworth
                                                                Dec 27 '16 at 0:12















                                                              0














                                                              Chicago Manual of Style, 7.33 says "The names of specific racial, linguistic, tribal, religious, and other groupings of people are capitalized"; thus, as a grouping of people, Gentile is capitalized.






                                                              share|improve this answer


















                                                              • 1





                                                                Hello, Michael. Sadly, CMOS is inconsistent, advising that 'whites' and 'blacks' be written in lower case. Probably these are not regarded as being as 'specific' as say French, Asian, Buddhist ... And 'G/gentile' is, I'd argue, more akin to 'white' as regards specificity than to 'American'.

                                                                – Edwin Ashworth
                                                                Dec 27 '16 at 0:12













                                                              0












                                                              0








                                                              0







                                                              Chicago Manual of Style, 7.33 says "The names of specific racial, linguistic, tribal, religious, and other groupings of people are capitalized"; thus, as a grouping of people, Gentile is capitalized.






                                                              share|improve this answer













                                                              Chicago Manual of Style, 7.33 says "The names of specific racial, linguistic, tribal, religious, and other groupings of people are capitalized"; thus, as a grouping of people, Gentile is capitalized.







                                                              share|improve this answer












                                                              share|improve this answer



                                                              share|improve this answer










                                                              answered Dec 26 '16 at 22:18









                                                              Michael MendershausenMichael Mendershausen

                                                              91




                                                              91







                                                              • 1





                                                                Hello, Michael. Sadly, CMOS is inconsistent, advising that 'whites' and 'blacks' be written in lower case. Probably these are not regarded as being as 'specific' as say French, Asian, Buddhist ... And 'G/gentile' is, I'd argue, more akin to 'white' as regards specificity than to 'American'.

                                                                – Edwin Ashworth
                                                                Dec 27 '16 at 0:12












                                                              • 1





                                                                Hello, Michael. Sadly, CMOS is inconsistent, advising that 'whites' and 'blacks' be written in lower case. Probably these are not regarded as being as 'specific' as say French, Asian, Buddhist ... And 'G/gentile' is, I'd argue, more akin to 'white' as regards specificity than to 'American'.

                                                                – Edwin Ashworth
                                                                Dec 27 '16 at 0:12







                                                              1




                                                              1





                                                              Hello, Michael. Sadly, CMOS is inconsistent, advising that 'whites' and 'blacks' be written in lower case. Probably these are not regarded as being as 'specific' as say French, Asian, Buddhist ... And 'G/gentile' is, I'd argue, more akin to 'white' as regards specificity than to 'American'.

                                                              – Edwin Ashworth
                                                              Dec 27 '16 at 0:12





                                                              Hello, Michael. Sadly, CMOS is inconsistent, advising that 'whites' and 'blacks' be written in lower case. Probably these are not regarded as being as 'specific' as say French, Asian, Buddhist ... And 'G/gentile' is, I'd argue, more akin to 'white' as regards specificity than to 'American'.

                                                              – Edwin Ashworth
                                                              Dec 27 '16 at 0:12











                                                              0














                                                              The Gentiles are described in the Book of Genesis, Chapter Ten (10:5) with capitalization...K.J.V.
                                                              The Gentiles are also mentioned in Zechariah, Chapter One (1:15,21)...K.J.V., although verse 15 is written as "Heathen" in the K.J.V.version of the Bible, in other versions of the Bible "Heathen" is referred to as "Gentiles" and "Pagans" are considered to be non-Israelite. Also the New Testament talks about "A people without GOD"...
                                                              Ephesians Chapter Two (2:11-12)...K.J.V.
                                                              No matter whose tribe we came from, thank GOD for JESUS...
                                                              "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God"- Romans Chapter Three (3:23)...K.J.V.






                                                              share|improve this answer























                                                              • Hi Ruth, welcome to the site! I don't feel that this answers the original question on whether someone should capitalize 'gentile' or not.

                                                                – mkennedy
                                                                Dec 19 '18 at 19:23















                                                              0














                                                              The Gentiles are described in the Book of Genesis, Chapter Ten (10:5) with capitalization...K.J.V.
                                                              The Gentiles are also mentioned in Zechariah, Chapter One (1:15,21)...K.J.V., although verse 15 is written as "Heathen" in the K.J.V.version of the Bible, in other versions of the Bible "Heathen" is referred to as "Gentiles" and "Pagans" are considered to be non-Israelite. Also the New Testament talks about "A people without GOD"...
                                                              Ephesians Chapter Two (2:11-12)...K.J.V.
                                                              No matter whose tribe we came from, thank GOD for JESUS...
                                                              "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God"- Romans Chapter Three (3:23)...K.J.V.






                                                              share|improve this answer























                                                              • Hi Ruth, welcome to the site! I don't feel that this answers the original question on whether someone should capitalize 'gentile' or not.

                                                                – mkennedy
                                                                Dec 19 '18 at 19:23













                                                              0












                                                              0








                                                              0







                                                              The Gentiles are described in the Book of Genesis, Chapter Ten (10:5) with capitalization...K.J.V.
                                                              The Gentiles are also mentioned in Zechariah, Chapter One (1:15,21)...K.J.V., although verse 15 is written as "Heathen" in the K.J.V.version of the Bible, in other versions of the Bible "Heathen" is referred to as "Gentiles" and "Pagans" are considered to be non-Israelite. Also the New Testament talks about "A people without GOD"...
                                                              Ephesians Chapter Two (2:11-12)...K.J.V.
                                                              No matter whose tribe we came from, thank GOD for JESUS...
                                                              "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God"- Romans Chapter Three (3:23)...K.J.V.






                                                              share|improve this answer













                                                              The Gentiles are described in the Book of Genesis, Chapter Ten (10:5) with capitalization...K.J.V.
                                                              The Gentiles are also mentioned in Zechariah, Chapter One (1:15,21)...K.J.V., although verse 15 is written as "Heathen" in the K.J.V.version of the Bible, in other versions of the Bible "Heathen" is referred to as "Gentiles" and "Pagans" are considered to be non-Israelite. Also the New Testament talks about "A people without GOD"...
                                                              Ephesians Chapter Two (2:11-12)...K.J.V.
                                                              No matter whose tribe we came from, thank GOD for JESUS...
                                                              "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God"- Romans Chapter Three (3:23)...K.J.V.







                                                              share|improve this answer












                                                              share|improve this answer



                                                              share|improve this answer










                                                              answered Dec 19 '18 at 19:16









                                                              RuthRuth

                                                              1




                                                              1












                                                              • Hi Ruth, welcome to the site! I don't feel that this answers the original question on whether someone should capitalize 'gentile' or not.

                                                                – mkennedy
                                                                Dec 19 '18 at 19:23

















                                                              • Hi Ruth, welcome to the site! I don't feel that this answers the original question on whether someone should capitalize 'gentile' or not.

                                                                – mkennedy
                                                                Dec 19 '18 at 19:23
















                                                              Hi Ruth, welcome to the site! I don't feel that this answers the original question on whether someone should capitalize 'gentile' or not.

                                                              – mkennedy
                                                              Dec 19 '18 at 19:23





                                                              Hi Ruth, welcome to the site! I don't feel that this answers the original question on whether someone should capitalize 'gentile' or not.

                                                              – mkennedy
                                                              Dec 19 '18 at 19:23











                                                              0














                                                              The standard academic style guide for biblical studies has this:
                                                              gentile(s) (noun and adj.)




                                                              The SBL Handbook of Style, 2nd ed. (Atlanta, GA: SBL Press, 2014), 42.



                                                              Merriam-Webster lists both noun and adjective in lower case, but in both cases adds "often capitalized."






                                                              share|improve this answer








                                                              New contributor




                                                              Dale Brueggemann is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                                              Check out our Code of Conduct.
























                                                                0














                                                                The standard academic style guide for biblical studies has this:
                                                                gentile(s) (noun and adj.)




                                                                The SBL Handbook of Style, 2nd ed. (Atlanta, GA: SBL Press, 2014), 42.



                                                                Merriam-Webster lists both noun and adjective in lower case, but in both cases adds "often capitalized."






                                                                share|improve this answer








                                                                New contributor




                                                                Dale Brueggemann is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                                                Check out our Code of Conduct.






















                                                                  0












                                                                  0








                                                                  0







                                                                  The standard academic style guide for biblical studies has this:
                                                                  gentile(s) (noun and adj.)




                                                                  The SBL Handbook of Style, 2nd ed. (Atlanta, GA: SBL Press, 2014), 42.



                                                                  Merriam-Webster lists both noun and adjective in lower case, but in both cases adds "often capitalized."






                                                                  share|improve this answer








                                                                  New contributor




                                                                  Dale Brueggemann is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                                                  Check out our Code of Conduct.










                                                                  The standard academic style guide for biblical studies has this:
                                                                  gentile(s) (noun and adj.)




                                                                  The SBL Handbook of Style, 2nd ed. (Atlanta, GA: SBL Press, 2014), 42.



                                                                  Merriam-Webster lists both noun and adjective in lower case, but in both cases adds "often capitalized."







                                                                  share|improve this answer








                                                                  New contributor




                                                                  Dale Brueggemann is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                                                  Check out our Code of Conduct.









                                                                  share|improve this answer



                                                                  share|improve this answer






                                                                  New contributor




                                                                  Dale Brueggemann is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                                                  Check out our Code of Conduct.









                                                                  answered 7 hours ago









                                                                  Dale BrueggemannDale Brueggemann

                                                                  1




                                                                  1




                                                                  New contributor




                                                                  Dale Brueggemann is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                                                  Check out our Code of Conduct.





                                                                  New contributor





                                                                  Dale Brueggemann is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                                                  Check out our Code of Conduct.






                                                                  Dale Brueggemann is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                                                  Check out our Code of Conduct.





















                                                                      -1














                                                                      I don't buy this. Gentile, like Semite, is a proper noun. I note that Semite is always capitalized, yet Gentile should not always be according to some. I think this should be a consistent use and be capitalized when used as a proper noun, and not, when used as an adjective. I find also that every Bible translation that I looked up (KJV, NKJV, NIV, NAB,
                                                                      ESV, NLT) all follow the same principle in which the word, Gentile, as a proper noun is capitalized.



                                                                      If you are going to capitalize proper nouns, and capitalize other proper nouns associated with the use of the proper noun of "Gentile," like "Semite," and "Jew," then you need to be consistent with all such usage. I think that the Bible translators recognized this.






                                                                      share|improve this answer


















                                                                      • 3





                                                                        Welcome to English Language & Usage. Your answer seems to be a response to another answer. This site is not actually a discussion site: it's a Q&A site, which means answers should stand on their own. Consider editing to make your answer stand alone, or moving your answer to a comment, depending on your intentions. Also be aware that comments on a Q&A site should offer constructive suggestions for improving a Q (or A). If what you really wish to do is discuss, come on over to chat.

                                                                        – MetaEd
                                                                        Feb 12 '13 at 16:51











                                                                      • The question hinges on whether 'G/gentile' is a proper noun or not. Note that the metaphorical usage of jonah is now usually written in lower case. And also that we write Australian etc but foreigner. I'm not saying that non-capitalisation of Gentile is correct (I'd usually capitalise), but Bible translations are written in the relevant modern language and should use standard forms (or add explanatory notes where translators feel it necessary not to do so). Inerrancy does not extend to translations.

                                                                        – Edwin Ashworth
                                                                        Dec 27 '16 at 0:20
















                                                                      -1














                                                                      I don't buy this. Gentile, like Semite, is a proper noun. I note that Semite is always capitalized, yet Gentile should not always be according to some. I think this should be a consistent use and be capitalized when used as a proper noun, and not, when used as an adjective. I find also that every Bible translation that I looked up (KJV, NKJV, NIV, NAB,
                                                                      ESV, NLT) all follow the same principle in which the word, Gentile, as a proper noun is capitalized.



                                                                      If you are going to capitalize proper nouns, and capitalize other proper nouns associated with the use of the proper noun of "Gentile," like "Semite," and "Jew," then you need to be consistent with all such usage. I think that the Bible translators recognized this.






                                                                      share|improve this answer


















                                                                      • 3





                                                                        Welcome to English Language & Usage. Your answer seems to be a response to another answer. This site is not actually a discussion site: it's a Q&A site, which means answers should stand on their own. Consider editing to make your answer stand alone, or moving your answer to a comment, depending on your intentions. Also be aware that comments on a Q&A site should offer constructive suggestions for improving a Q (or A). If what you really wish to do is discuss, come on over to chat.

                                                                        – MetaEd
                                                                        Feb 12 '13 at 16:51











                                                                      • The question hinges on whether 'G/gentile' is a proper noun or not. Note that the metaphorical usage of jonah is now usually written in lower case. And also that we write Australian etc but foreigner. I'm not saying that non-capitalisation of Gentile is correct (I'd usually capitalise), but Bible translations are written in the relevant modern language and should use standard forms (or add explanatory notes where translators feel it necessary not to do so). Inerrancy does not extend to translations.

                                                                        – Edwin Ashworth
                                                                        Dec 27 '16 at 0:20














                                                                      -1












                                                                      -1








                                                                      -1







                                                                      I don't buy this. Gentile, like Semite, is a proper noun. I note that Semite is always capitalized, yet Gentile should not always be according to some. I think this should be a consistent use and be capitalized when used as a proper noun, and not, when used as an adjective. I find also that every Bible translation that I looked up (KJV, NKJV, NIV, NAB,
                                                                      ESV, NLT) all follow the same principle in which the word, Gentile, as a proper noun is capitalized.



                                                                      If you are going to capitalize proper nouns, and capitalize other proper nouns associated with the use of the proper noun of "Gentile," like "Semite," and "Jew," then you need to be consistent with all such usage. I think that the Bible translators recognized this.






                                                                      share|improve this answer













                                                                      I don't buy this. Gentile, like Semite, is a proper noun. I note that Semite is always capitalized, yet Gentile should not always be according to some. I think this should be a consistent use and be capitalized when used as a proper noun, and not, when used as an adjective. I find also that every Bible translation that I looked up (KJV, NKJV, NIV, NAB,
                                                                      ESV, NLT) all follow the same principle in which the word, Gentile, as a proper noun is capitalized.



                                                                      If you are going to capitalize proper nouns, and capitalize other proper nouns associated with the use of the proper noun of "Gentile," like "Semite," and "Jew," then you need to be consistent with all such usage. I think that the Bible translators recognized this.







                                                                      share|improve this answer












                                                                      share|improve this answer



                                                                      share|improve this answer










                                                                      answered Feb 12 '13 at 16:07









                                                                      allanallan

                                                                      71




                                                                      71







                                                                      • 3





                                                                        Welcome to English Language & Usage. Your answer seems to be a response to another answer. This site is not actually a discussion site: it's a Q&A site, which means answers should stand on their own. Consider editing to make your answer stand alone, or moving your answer to a comment, depending on your intentions. Also be aware that comments on a Q&A site should offer constructive suggestions for improving a Q (or A). If what you really wish to do is discuss, come on over to chat.

                                                                        – MetaEd
                                                                        Feb 12 '13 at 16:51











                                                                      • The question hinges on whether 'G/gentile' is a proper noun or not. Note that the metaphorical usage of jonah is now usually written in lower case. And also that we write Australian etc but foreigner. I'm not saying that non-capitalisation of Gentile is correct (I'd usually capitalise), but Bible translations are written in the relevant modern language and should use standard forms (or add explanatory notes where translators feel it necessary not to do so). Inerrancy does not extend to translations.

                                                                        – Edwin Ashworth
                                                                        Dec 27 '16 at 0:20













                                                                      • 3





                                                                        Welcome to English Language & Usage. Your answer seems to be a response to another answer. This site is not actually a discussion site: it's a Q&A site, which means answers should stand on their own. Consider editing to make your answer stand alone, or moving your answer to a comment, depending on your intentions. Also be aware that comments on a Q&A site should offer constructive suggestions for improving a Q (or A). If what you really wish to do is discuss, come on over to chat.

                                                                        – MetaEd
                                                                        Feb 12 '13 at 16:51











                                                                      • The question hinges on whether 'G/gentile' is a proper noun or not. Note that the metaphorical usage of jonah is now usually written in lower case. And also that we write Australian etc but foreigner. I'm not saying that non-capitalisation of Gentile is correct (I'd usually capitalise), but Bible translations are written in the relevant modern language and should use standard forms (or add explanatory notes where translators feel it necessary not to do so). Inerrancy does not extend to translations.

                                                                        – Edwin Ashworth
                                                                        Dec 27 '16 at 0:20








                                                                      3




                                                                      3





                                                                      Welcome to English Language & Usage. Your answer seems to be a response to another answer. This site is not actually a discussion site: it's a Q&A site, which means answers should stand on their own. Consider editing to make your answer stand alone, or moving your answer to a comment, depending on your intentions. Also be aware that comments on a Q&A site should offer constructive suggestions for improving a Q (or A). If what you really wish to do is discuss, come on over to chat.

                                                                      – MetaEd
                                                                      Feb 12 '13 at 16:51





                                                                      Welcome to English Language & Usage. Your answer seems to be a response to another answer. This site is not actually a discussion site: it's a Q&A site, which means answers should stand on their own. Consider editing to make your answer stand alone, or moving your answer to a comment, depending on your intentions. Also be aware that comments on a Q&A site should offer constructive suggestions for improving a Q (or A). If what you really wish to do is discuss, come on over to chat.

                                                                      – MetaEd
                                                                      Feb 12 '13 at 16:51













                                                                      The question hinges on whether 'G/gentile' is a proper noun or not. Note that the metaphorical usage of jonah is now usually written in lower case. And also that we write Australian etc but foreigner. I'm not saying that non-capitalisation of Gentile is correct (I'd usually capitalise), but Bible translations are written in the relevant modern language and should use standard forms (or add explanatory notes where translators feel it necessary not to do so). Inerrancy does not extend to translations.

                                                                      – Edwin Ashworth
                                                                      Dec 27 '16 at 0:20






                                                                      The question hinges on whether 'G/gentile' is a proper noun or not. Note that the metaphorical usage of jonah is now usually written in lower case. And also that we write Australian etc but foreigner. I'm not saying that non-capitalisation of Gentile is correct (I'd usually capitalise), but Bible translations are written in the relevant modern language and should use standard forms (or add explanatory notes where translators feel it necessary not to do so). Inerrancy does not extend to translations.

                                                                      – Edwin Ashworth
                                                                      Dec 27 '16 at 0:20












                                                                      -4














                                                                      This is a religious debate, not proper grammar, which it should be. Gentile is NEVER capitalized unless it is the first word in a sentence. And no, I'm not Jewish.






                                                                      share|improve this answer


















                                                                      • 3





                                                                        We've got answers that contradict your that provide sources. Would you care to provide anything to back up your opinion?

                                                                        – Matt E. Эллен
                                                                        Sep 12 '13 at 8:40















                                                                      -4














                                                                      This is a religious debate, not proper grammar, which it should be. Gentile is NEVER capitalized unless it is the first word in a sentence. And no, I'm not Jewish.






                                                                      share|improve this answer


















                                                                      • 3





                                                                        We've got answers that contradict your that provide sources. Would you care to provide anything to back up your opinion?

                                                                        – Matt E. Эллен
                                                                        Sep 12 '13 at 8:40













                                                                      -4












                                                                      -4








                                                                      -4







                                                                      This is a religious debate, not proper grammar, which it should be. Gentile is NEVER capitalized unless it is the first word in a sentence. And no, I'm not Jewish.






                                                                      share|improve this answer













                                                                      This is a religious debate, not proper grammar, which it should be. Gentile is NEVER capitalized unless it is the first word in a sentence. And no, I'm not Jewish.







                                                                      share|improve this answer












                                                                      share|improve this answer



                                                                      share|improve this answer










                                                                      answered Sep 12 '13 at 8:18









                                                                      DaveDave

                                                                      1




                                                                      1







                                                                      • 3





                                                                        We've got answers that contradict your that provide sources. Would you care to provide anything to back up your opinion?

                                                                        – Matt E. Эллен
                                                                        Sep 12 '13 at 8:40












                                                                      • 3





                                                                        We've got answers that contradict your that provide sources. Would you care to provide anything to back up your opinion?

                                                                        – Matt E. Эллен
                                                                        Sep 12 '13 at 8:40







                                                                      3




                                                                      3





                                                                      We've got answers that contradict your that provide sources. Would you care to provide anything to back up your opinion?

                                                                      – Matt E. Эллен
                                                                      Sep 12 '13 at 8:40





                                                                      We've got answers that contradict your that provide sources. Would you care to provide anything to back up your opinion?

                                                                      – Matt E. Эллен
                                                                      Sep 12 '13 at 8:40

















                                                                      draft saved

                                                                      draft discarded
















































                                                                      Thanks for contributing an answer to English Language & Usage Stack Exchange!


                                                                      • Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!

                                                                      But avoid


                                                                      • Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.

                                                                      • Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.

                                                                      To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.




                                                                      draft saved


                                                                      draft discarded














                                                                      StackExchange.ready(
                                                                      function ()
                                                                      StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fenglish.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f53627%2fshould-the-word-gentile-be-capitalized%23new-answer', 'question_page');

                                                                      );

                                                                      Post as a guest















                                                                      Required, but never shown





















































                                                                      Required, but never shown














                                                                      Required, but never shown












                                                                      Required, but never shown







                                                                      Required, but never shown

































                                                                      Required, but never shown














                                                                      Required, but never shown












                                                                      Required, but never shown







                                                                      Required, but never shown







                                                                      Popular posts from this blog

                                                                      How to create a command for the “strange m” symbol in latex? Announcing the arrival of Valued Associate #679: Cesar Manara Planned maintenance scheduled April 23, 2019 at 23:30 UTC (7:30pm US/Eastern)How do you make your own symbol when Detexify fails?Writing bold small caps with mathpazo packageplus-minus symbol with parenthesis around the minus signGreek character in Beamer document titleHow to create dashed right arrow over symbol?Currency symbol: Turkish LiraDouble prec as a single symbol?Plus Sign Too Big; How to Call adfbullet?Is there a TeX macro for three-legged pi?How do I get my integral-like symbol to align like the integral?How to selectively substitute a letter with another symbol representing the same letterHow do I generate a less than symbol and vertical bar that are the same height?

                                                                      Category:Tremithousa Media in category "Tremithousa"Navigation menuUpload media34° 49′ 02.7″ N, 32° 26′ 37.32″ EOpenStreetMapGoogle EarthProximityramaReasonatorScholiaStatisticsWikiShootMe

                                                                      Dokschytsy (Steed) Kwelen | NawigatsjuunBelarus: Vitebsk Region, citypopulation.de