Anti-semitism

A modern term, used to refer to a hatred of Jews or Arabs. Traces of anti-semitism may be discerned in biblical times.

The development of anti-semitism

Exodus 1:8–14 Strictly speaking, this hostility towards the Israelites in Egypt after the death of Joseph was not anti-semitism as this word is now understood. See also Exodus 1:15–16, Exodus 1:22, Exodus 3:9, Exodus 5:6–9

Then a new king, who did not know Joseph, came to power in Egypt. “Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become too numerous and too powerful for us. Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase even more; and if a war breaks out, they may join our enemies, fight against us, and leave the country.” So the Egyptians appointed taskmasters over the Israelites to oppress them with forced labor. As a result, they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh. But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and flourished; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites. They worked the Israelites ruthlessly and made their lives bitter with hard labor in brick and mortar, and with all kinds of work in the fields. Every service they imposed was harsh.

Anti-semitism under Persian rule

Esther 3:1–14 See also Ezra 4:1–8, Ezra 4:24

Anti-semitism under Babylonian rule

Daniel 3:8–23 See also Daniel 6:3–14

Anti-semitism under Roman rule

Acts 18:1–2

After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to visit them,