What is a Nation?

by Ian L. Flanders


In two different works, Tertullian translates the same Old Testament passage in different ways. In the Adversus Marcionem, he translates ἔθνων as nationem, while in the passage he adapts from that work for the Adversus Judaeos he translates it as gentium. This paper both looks at the important differences in the subtleties of meaning of these words and discusses the potential reasons for both the varying language use and the consequences for interpreting Tertullian that arise therefrom.