There are many terms Jews use to describe themselves and each other. Collectively, Jews are am yisrael (the people of Israel), bnai yisrael (the children of Israel), or yiddin (Jews). Individually, one Jew might refer to another as a “member of the tribe” (or MOT, for short) or landsman (meaning a person from the same place). Jews also have several terms for non-Jews, which have a variety of connotations.
Goy
In Hebrew, goy (plural: goyim) literally means “nation.” In the Bible, goy can refer to any nation, including Israel. Over time, however, it came to refer to all nations except Israel — that is, non-Jews.
Goy is neutral in biblical Hebrew but has taken on varied connotations in modern usage. Depending on context, goy can be neutral, affectionate, humorous or pejorative. For example, one person might casually mention “my goyish friend who eats lime jello” without any malice, while others might find this objectionable.
With your help, My Jewish Learning can provide endless opportunities for learning, connection and discovery.
Read about Jewish comedian Lenny Bruce’s “Jewish and Goyish” routine.
Gentile
The word gentile is the most widely used English term for a non-Jew. It originates from the Latin gentilis, meaning “of a clan or tribe,” and entered English through biblical translations of the Hebrew term goy.
Similar to goy, gentile was originally meant to be neutral in tone. It is often used in academic and interfaith settings for that reason. It simply means someone who is not Jewish — without any judgment or emotional weight. Jews are not the only people who use this term in this way. Mormons, for instance, refer to non-Mormon as gentiles.
Despite the originally neutral resonance, gentile sometimes carries negative connotations, implying that one who carries the label is a heathen or an idolater.
Non-Jew
A more contemporary term for people who are not Jewish is simply “non-Jew.” This is preferred by some because it is factual and direct.
Non-Jews engaging with Jewish texts or communities might encounter any of these terms and wonder what they mean or how they’re being used. When in doubt, it’s always appropriate to ask for clarification.
