'People' in the Bible

And the Lord said, “Name him Lo-ammi, for you are not My people and I am not your God.”

Yet the number of the sons of IsraelWill be like the sand of the sea,Which cannot be measured or numbered;And in the placeWhere it is said to them,“You are not My people,”It will be said to them,“You are the sons of the living God.”

“I will sow her for Myself in the land.I will also have compassion on her who had not obtained compassion,And I will say to those who were not My people,‘You are My people!’And they will say, ‘You are my God!’”

Yet let no one find fault, and let none offer reproof;For your people are like those who contend with the priest.

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.Because you have rejected knowledge,I also will reject you from being My priest.Since you have forgotten the law of your God,I also will forget your children.

They feed on the sin of My peopleAnd direct their desire toward their iniquity.

And it will be, like people, like priest;So I will punish them for their waysAnd repay them for their deeds.

My people consult their wooden idol, and their diviner’s wand informs them;For a spirit of harlotry has led them astray,And they have played the harlot, departing from their God.

I will not punish your daughters when they play the harlotOr your brides when they commit adultery,For the men themselves go apart with harlotsAnd offer sacrifices with temple prostitutes;So the people without understanding are ruined.

Also, O Judah, there is a harvest appointed for you,When I restore the fortunes of My people.

The inhabitants of Samaria will fearFor the calf of Beth-aven.Indeed, its people will mourn for it,And its idolatrous priests will cry out over it,Over its glory, since it has departed from it.

Therefore a tumult will arise among your people,And all your fortresses will be destroyed,As Shalman destroyed Beth-arbel on the day of battle,When mothers were dashed in pieces with their children.

So My people are bent on turning from Me.Though they call them to the One on high,None at all exalts Him.