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The Bible term "proselyte" is an anglicization of , as used in the Septuagint for "stranger", i.e. a "newcomer to Israel"; a "sojourner in the land",; ; and in the Novum Testamentum Graece for a first-century convert to Judaism. It is a translation of or ger toshav. "Proselyte" also has the more general meaning in English of a new convert to any particular religion or doctrine.
The New Testament makes mention of proselytes in .; ; ; ; The name proselyte occurs in the New Testament only in Matthew and Acts.; ; ; The name by which they are commonly designated is that of "devout men", or men "fearing God", or "worshipping God", "fearers of Heaven" or "". (1996). 9780567085252, T&T Clark. ISBN 9780567085252
On the historical meaning of the Greek word, in chapter 2 of the apocryphal Gospel of Nicodemus, roughly dated between 150 and 400, Annas and Caiaphas define "proselyte" for Pilate:
A "righteous proselyte" is a gentile who has converted to Judaism, is bound to all the doctrines and precepts of Judaism, and is thus a Jew. The proselyte immerses in a mikveh to effect the conversion formally; a male proselyte must also be circumcised before the immersion can occur ( mila leshem giur)
A "gate proselyte"bible verse Exodus 20:9-10, Deut 5:13-14, Deut 14:20-29 Deut 16:10-14, Deut 24:13-14, Deut 26:11-12, Deut 31:11-12 is a resident alien who lives in the Land of Israel and follows some Jewish customs. They are not required to be circumcised nor to comply with the whole of the Torah. They are bound only to conform to the Seven Laws of Noah (do not worship idols, do not blaspheme God's name, do not murder, do not commit fornication (immoral sexual acts), do not steal, do not tear the limb from a living animal, and do not fail to establish rule of law) to be assured of a place in the world to come.
In early Christianity
The "religious proselytes" spoken of in early Christianity such as Acts 13:43 were likely righteous proselytes rather than gate proselytes. There is some debate however as to whether God-fearers ( Phoboumenoi),; ,,,,; ; , and/or Worshippers (Sebomenoi),,,,,,; Josephus Ant. 14.7.2 who were baptized but not circumcised, fall into the righteous or gate category. The New Testament uses the word four times, exclusively referring to converts to Judaism, and never referring to conversion to Christianity.Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Gerhard Kittel, Gerhard Friedrich, trans. Geoffrey Bromiley, volume VI p742.
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