An outcast is a person who has been forced to leave their home or community or who is rejected by others. This English word is used to translate two related Hebrew terms meaning "to drive away," "to force someone to leave," or "to send away." The Berean Standard Bible also uses words such as "exiles" and "dispersed" to express these meanings.
In four passages, these terms refer to people from Israel who have been scattered or forced to leave their homeland. The Lord promises to gather them again (Psalm 147:2; Isaiah 11:12; 27:13; 56:8).
In Jeremiah 30:17, Zion (Jerusalem) is called an outcast because others have rejected her. The Lord promises to restore her.
In two other passages, the terms refer to people fleeing from Moab (Isaiah 16:3–4) and from Elam (Jeremiah 49:36).