Luk 2:32 | RWP | e4.org | Revelation to the Gentiles ( αποκαλυψιν εθνων ). Objective genitive. The Messiah is to be light ( φως ) for the Gentiles in darkness ( ) and glory ( δοξα ) for Israel (cf. ; ). The word εθνος originally meant just a crowd or company, then a race or nation, then the nations other than Israel (the people, ο λαος ) or the people of God. The word Gentile is Latin from gens , a tribe or nation. But the world-wide mission of the Messiah comes out clearly in these early chapters in Luke.

‏ Luke 2:32

Revelation to the Gentiles ( αποκαλυψιν εθνων ). Objective genitive. The Messiah is to be light ( φως ) for the Gentiles in darkness (1:70) and glory ( δοξα ) for Israel (cf. Ro 9:1-5; Isa 49:6). The word εθνος originally meant just a crowd or company, then a race or nation, then the nations other than Israel (the people, ο λαος ) or the people of God. The word Gentile is Latin from gens, a tribe or nation. But the world-wide mission of the Messiah comes out clearly in these early chapters in Luke.