Why the Bible Doesn’t Use “Race” and What Its Language Teaches Us
(Part of the “One Human Family” Series)
Estimated reading time: 6–8 minutes
🔗 This post is part of the series: Why Are There Different Races?
The Words We Commonly Use…
In today’s world, “race” is a familiar term. We use it to describe groups based on physical features like skin color or hair texture. But if you open the Bible, you won’t find the word “race” used in this modern sense. Instead, you’ll see words like nations, tribes, peoples, and languages.
Why? Because Scripture approaches human identity differently — not as biological categories, but as cultural, familial, and linguistic groups within one human family.
The Language of the Bible — and Why It Matters
From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible’s language reflects God’s view of humanity. Instead of dividing people by supposed biological “races,” it describes them in terms of:
- Nations (ethnos) — groups united by shared culture, land, and heritage.
- Tribes — extended family networks or clans within a nation.
- Tongues — distinct languages or dialects spoken by a people.
This emphasis is significant. It means that, in God’s perspective, our identity is not determined by the shade of our skin but by our shared origin in Him and the rich tapestry of cultures He allowed to flourish.
A Shared Beginning
Acts 17:26 says, “From one man He made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth…”
In the Bible’s story, all people trace back to the same starting point: Adam and Eve, then later to Noah’s family after the flood. Humanity’s scattering at Babel (Genesis 11) created distinct languages and cultures — but not separate human origins.
In other words, the variety of tribes and nations is a result of God’s design for diversity, not a division of humanity into different “kinds.”
God’s Vision for the Nations
When we look at passages like Psalm 67, Isaiah 2, or Revelation 7:9, we see that God’s plan was never to erase cultural diversity but to redeem it. In the end, people “from every nation, tribe, people, and language” will stand before His throne — still distinct in culture and expression, yet united in worship.
This tells us something profound: God’s kingdom is not colorblind in the sense of ignoring differences; it is color-honoring, celebrating the unique ways each people group reflects His glory.
Why the Bible’s Vocabulary Matters Today
In modern society, “race” has often been misused to rank people or create artificial hierarchies. The Bible’s consistent use of tribes, tongues, and nations helps us resist these distortions by reminding us:
- Our differences are primarily cultural and linguistic, not biological.
- Every group shares equal worth before God.
- Diversity was intended for beauty and mission, not for suspicion or rivalry.
Additional Bible Verses to Explore
- Deuteronomy 32:8 – God established the boundaries of the peoples according to His wisdom.
- Daniel 7:14 – The Son of Man receives worship from “all peoples, nations, and languages.”
- Matthew 28:19 – Jesus commands the making of disciples from “all nations” (panta ta ethnē).
What This Means for Us Today
If God doesn’t divide humanity into “races,” neither should we. Instead, we can:
- Learn from and celebrate the unique contributions of different cultures.
- Value language as a God-given expression of identity.
- Pursue unity without erasing God’s colorful design for humanity.
Final Thought
In the end, the Bible’s language shapes our vision: we are not separate species or unrelated groups — we are one family made up of many tribes, tongues, and nations. This is not only a theological truth but a future reality, when all God’s people will stand together before His throne.
Different in culture.
United in origin.
This post is part of the “One Human Family” series
Discover how the Bible and science together reveal our shared origin and God’s plan for human unity.
See all posts in the series here → One Human Family Series
