John Bimson
Israelite, Hebrew or Jew?
"From
the emergence of an Israelite state under Saul, we find the
land called "the land of Israel" (eg 1 Sam 13:19; 2Kings
5:2; 2 Chron 34:7; Ezek 7:2 etc). This should not be
understood to mean "the land called Israel", for in the Old
Testament period "Israel" was first and foremost the name of
a people. It therefore means "the land of [the people]
Israel". However, "Israel" also had a secondary and more
restricted meaning; it was sometimes used as a name for the
northern tribes (as distinct from Judah), and when the
kingdom divided after the death of Solomon (1 Kings 12),
"Israel" became the name of the independent northern state.
The term "promised land" refers, of course, to God's promise
to give the land of Canaan to Abraham's descendants (Gen
13:14-15; 15:18-21; 17:8). The expression "the Holy Land"
has its origin in Zech 2:12, but did not become a common
designation for the land until the Middle Ages. The land is,
of course, no longer holy to the Jews alone, but also to
Christians and Muslims.
It may also be useful to mention the correct use of names
for the people to whom the land was given by God. If we
follow Biblical precedent, it is certainly correct to call
them "Hebrews" from Abraham onwards (see Gen 14:13). The
origin and scope of this name is very much debated among Old
Testament scholars, but the Old Testament itself implies
some connection with Eber, Abraham's ancestor (Gen 10:21-31;
11:14-26). "Israel" was the new name given by God to Jacob,
Abraham's grandson (Gen 32:28; 43:6, etc), and so the
descendants of Jacob are "Israelites" or, collectively,
"Israel". In Exo 3:18 and 5:1-3 "Hebrews" and "Israel"
appear to be used as synonymous terms (though if "Hebrews"
indicates the descendants of Eber, then Hebrews were,
strictly speaking, a much wider group than the tribes of
Israel). As already mentioned, "Israel" also has a secondary
and more specific meaning in the Old Testament, since it can
signify the northern tribes as distinct from Judah,
especially after the division of the kingdom.
Although the terms "Hebrew" and "Israelite" continued in use
into the New Testament period (eg Rom 9:4; 2 Cor 11:22; Phil
3:5), by then the term "Jew" was more commonly used. This
originally referred to a member of the southern tribe of
Judah (which is it's use in Jer 32:12; 34:9), but after the
Babylonian Exile it came to replace "Israelite" as the most
widely-used term for one of God's covenant people. This was
because, by that time, virtually all Israelites were in fact
members of the tribe of Judah, as the northern tribes
("Israel" in the narrow sense) had lost their identity after
the fall of Samaria in 722 BC. The exceptions were chiefly
members of the tribe of Benjamin (Ezra 1:5; Phil 3:5), which
had been linked with Judah since the division of the
kingdom. "Jew" and "Jewish" should not be used in the
generally accepted sense when speaking of the period before
the Exile."
Read The Bible
- 1599 Geneva Bible (GNV)
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- American Standard Version (ASV)
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- Contemporary English Version (CEV)
- Darby Translation (DARBY)
- Disciples’ Literal New Testament (DLNT)
- Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA)
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- English Standard Version Anglicised (ESVUK)
- Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV)
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- GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)
- Good News Translation (GNT)
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- Names of God Bible (NOG)
- New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)
- New American Standard Bible (NASB)
- New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995)
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- World English Bible (WEB)
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Table of Contents
Main Menu
- Ancient Assyrian Social Structure
- Ancient Babylonia
- Ancient Canaan During the Time of Joshua
- Ancient History Timeline
- Ancient Oil Lamps
- Antonia Fortress
- Archaeology of Ancient Assyria
- Assyria and Bible Prophecy
- Augustus Caesar
- Background Bible Study
- Bible
- Biblical Geography
- Fallen Empires - Archaeological Discoveries and the Bible
- First Century Jerusalem
- Glossary of Latin Words
- Herod Agrippa I
- Herod Antipas
- Herod the Great
- Herod's Temple
- High Priest's in New Testament Times
- Jewish Literature in New Testament Times
- Library collection
- Map of David's Kingdom
- Map of the Divided Kingdom - Israel and Judah
- Map of the Ministry of Jesus
- Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
- Messianic Prophecy
- Nero Caesar Emperor
- Online Bible Maps
- Paul's First Missionary Journey
- Paul's Second Missionary Journey
- Paul's Third Missionary Journey
- Pontius Pilate
- Questions About the Ancient World
- Tabernacle of Ancient Israel
- Tax Collectors in New Testament Times
- The Babylonian Captivity
- The Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser
- The Books of the New Testament
- The Court of the Gentiles
- The Court of the Women in the Temple
- The Destruction of Israel
- The Fall of Judah with Map
- The History Of Rome
- The Incredible Bible
- The Jewish Calendar in Ancient Hebrew History
- The Life of Jesus in Chronological Order
- The Life of Jesus in Harmony
- The Names of God
- The New Testament
- The Old Testament
- The Passion of the Christ
- The Pharisees
- The Sacred Year of Israel in New Testament Times
- The Samaritans
- The Scribes
Ancient Questions
- How did the ancient Greeks and Romans practice medicine and treat illnesses?
- What were the major contributions of ancient Babylon to mathematics and astronomy?
- How did the ancient Persians create and administer their vast empire?
- What were the cultural and artistic achievements of ancient India, particularly during the Gupta Empire?
- How did ancient civilizations like the Incas and Aztecs build their remarkable cities and structures?
- What were the major trade routes and trading practices of the ancient world?
- What was the role of slavery in ancient societies like Rome and Greece?
- How did the ancient Mayans develop their sophisticated calendar system?
- What were the key events and significance of the Battle of Thermopylae in ancient Greece?
- What was life like for women in ancient Rome?
Bible Study Questions
- The Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV): Historical Significance, Translation Methodology, and Lasting Impact
- Exploring the English Standard Version (ESV): Its Aspects, Comparisons, Impact on Biblical Studies, and Church Use
- A Detailed Historical Analysis of Language Updates in the KJ21: Comparison with Other Versions
- A Detailed Historical Analysis of the American Standard Version (ASV): Comparison to the King James Version, Influence on Later Translations, and Evaluation of Strengths and Weaknesses
- A Detailed Historical Analysis of Amplifications in the Amplified Bible (AMP) and Its Comparison to Other Bible Translations
- Detailed Historical Analysis of the Amplified Bible Classic Edition (AMPC): Examples of Amplifications and Comparative Analysis with Other Bible Translations
- Theological Implications of the BRG Bible's Color-Coding System: A Comparative Analysis
- The Christian Standard Bible (CSB): An In-Depth Analysis
- The Geneva Bible: Theological Distinctives, Impact on English Literature, and Role in Bible Translation History
- Exploring the Common English Bible (CEB): Translation Methodology, Church Use, and Comparative Analysis
About
Welcome to Free Bible: Unearthing the Past, Illuminating the Present! Step into a world where ancient history and biblical narratives intertwine, inviting you to explore the rich tapestry of human civilization.
Discover the captivating stories of forgotten empires, delve into the customs and cultures of our ancestors, and witness the remarkable findings unearthed by dedicated archaeologists.
Immerse yourself in a treasure trove of knowledge, where the past comes alive and illuminates our understanding of the present.
Join us on this extraordinary journey through time, where curiosity is rewarded and ancient mysteries await your exploration.
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