Bible Dictionaries
Citizenship
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The rights and privileges of a citizen in distinction from a foreigner (Luke 15:15; 19:14; Acts 21:39 ). Under the Mosaic law non-Israelites, with the exception of the Moabites and the Ammonites and others mentioned in Deuteronomy 23:1-3 , were admitted to the general privileges of citizenship among the Jews (Exodus 12:19; Leviticus 24:22; Numbers 15:15; 35:15; Deuteronomy 10:18; 14:29; 16:10,14 ). The right of citizenship under the Roman government was granted by the emperor to individuals, and sometimes to provinces, as a favour or as a recompense for services rendered to the state, or for a sum of money (Acts 22:28 ). This "freedom" secured privileges equal to those enjoyed by natives of Rome. Among the most notable of these was the provision that a man could not be bound or imprisoned without a formal trial (Acts 22:25,26 ), or scourged (16:37). All Roman citizens had the right of appeal to Caesar (25:11).
Copyright Statement
These dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain.
Bibliography Information
Easton, Matthew George. Entry for 'Citizenship'. Easton's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/ebd/c/citizenship.html. 1897.