(Lat. *Gentilis*, from *gens*, a nation) is used in Scripture to denote a pagan, or worshipping of false gods. The Hebrews included all the inhabitants of the earth except the Israelites under the common name of *גֶּרֶם* (*goim*), i.e. 'nations'; in the Greek rendered ῥά τῶν ἀλλοτρίων, and in the Latin by *gentes*. By degrees this appellation came to be used by the Hebrews in a reproachful sense, on account of the idolatry of the surrounding nations. It was afterwards used by the Jewish converts to the gospel as a common designation for such as were neither Jews nor Christians. St Paul is styled emphatically the apostle of the Gentiles, because the sphere of his labours lay chiefly among the foreign pagans.

In the Roman law and history the word gentile is used as equivalent to *barbarian*, which was applied to all who were not Romans.