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 ; Deuteronomy 16:10 Deuteronomy 16:14 ).

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 Acts 22:26 ), or scourged ( 16:37 ). All Roman citizens had the right of appeal to Caesar ( 25:11 ).

These dictionary topics are from
M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition,
published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain, copy freely.