Who are the Khazar Jews?

Historical Overview of the Khazar People

The Khazars were a Turkic-speaking people who rose to prominence between the 7th and 10th centuries AD in the region north of the Caucasus Mountains and around the Caspian Sea. They established a powerful empire that controlled key trade routes between Europe and Asia. Their kingdom became known for religious tolerance, encompassing various faiths within their expansive territory. While their political influence declined in the late 10th century, their historical significance remains a topic of ongoing study in medieval and Judaic historical research.

The Conversion to Judaism

One of the most notable aspects of Khazar history involves the reported conversion of the ruling Khazar elite—and possibly many of their subjects—to Judaism. Medieval sources, such as correspondence between the Khazar ruler (often referred to as King or Khagan Joseph) and Hasdai ibn Shaprut (a Jewish courtier in Muslim Spain) in the mid-10th century AD, provide evidence that a form of Judaism was practiced among the Khazars. Scholars like D. M. Dunlop in “The History of the Jewish Khazars” and others referencing the so-called “Khazar Correspondence” have noted that the Khazar king defended his faith and heritage in his letters, suggesting that Judaism played a key role in Khazar political identity.

Because the Khazars were located at a crossroads of trade and cultural exchange, multiple religious traditions permeated their society. From available sources, it appears that Christianity, Islam, and various forms of paganism were also present. However, many contemporary accounts agree that the Khazar leadership claimed adherence to Judaism—which drew the attention of both Muslim and Christian travelers and diplomats.

Khazar Jews in Historical Records

The extent of the Khazar population’s actual conversion is still debated. Some records imply a large-scale acceptance of Judaism among the Khazar aristocracy, while others suggest that it was limited to the elite. Archaeologists have found a range of artifacts in former Khazar territories—such as Hebrew-inscribed gravestones and items associated with Jewish religious practice—supporting the idea that a Jewish community existed in that kingdom.

In modern times, certain theories have posited that European (specifically Ashkenazi) Jewish populations are largely descended from the Khazars. Mainstream genetic and historical studies often indicate that, while some Khazar lineage may be present, the majority of Ashkenazi Jews trace their ancestry to the ancient Near East, consistent with migratory patterns of the Jewish diaspora. Scholarly works, including those by Kevin Alan Brook in “The Jews of Khazaria,” examine linguistic, cultural, and genetic data that collectively point to a relatively modest, though not negligible, Khazar contribution to European Jewry.

Archaeological Discoveries

Archaeological research has turned up notable elements attesting to the Khazars’ vibrant trade-based empire. Many dig sites reveal fortifications, pottery, jewelry, and coins reflecting the influences of Byzantine, Persian, and even older Middle Eastern cultures. Of particular relevance to the topic of Khazar Jews are:

• Hebraic Inscriptions: Excavations in regions near the Caspian and Black Seas have uncovered Hebrew writings, signifying Jewish religious use.

• Synagogue Remains (Tentative): While less certain, some scholars have pointed to structures or fragments that might have been used for Jewish worship.

• Burial Practices: Certain graveyards and epitaphs have been identified with Jewish symbols such as the menorah, which suggests a Jewish presence.

These artifacts help corroborate written accounts of a Jewish community or ruling class within the Khazar realm, even though the overall scope of that community’s size continues to be researched.

Biblical and Theological Considerations

Scripture does not directly mention the Khazars by name. The Khazars emerged during the early medieval period, centuries after the events encompassed in most of the Bible’s historical narratives. Nonetheless, the dispersion of Jewish people across many lands is a significant theme in the Old Testament and is reflected in various passages about the scattering and regathering of Israel.

• Prophetic Dispersions: Passages like Jeremiah 31:10 refer to Israel being scattered “among the nations.” Though this prophecy primarily addresses earlier dispersions, it illustrates the pattern of Jewish communities taking root in diverse locales throughout history.

• New Covenant and Identity: From a Christian standpoint, salvation is not derived from one’s ethnic background but rather through faith in the Messiah (cf. Romans 1:16). As Paul wrote, “there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, because the same Lord is Lord of all” (Romans 10:12).

Thus, while there is evidence of a Jewish presence among the Khazars, one’s standing before God in Christian theology centers on faith, not specific genealogical lineage.

Historical Debates on Khazar Descent

Since the mid-20th century, several authors have advanced the theory that large segments of today’s European Jews descend primarily from the Khazars. Arthur Koestler’s “The Thirteenth Tribe” popularized this hypothesis, which has since been met with considerable critique. Modern genetic and historical surveys, including more recent DNA studies, suggest that the major portion of Ashkenazi ancestry aligns with the ancient Judean and broader Levantine heritage. While small traces of Khazar lineage could be present in some Jewish communities, most data points to Near Eastern origins consistent with the Biblical and Second Temple diaspora timelines.

Historical Significance and Lessons

The Khazar conversion to Judaism underscores the dynamic nature of religious identity in medieval Eurasia. Their empire stood at a major cultural intersection for trade and ideas, which fostered unique expressions of faith. Although their story played out in the fringes of the Christian and Islamic worlds, it reveals the ongoing influence of Jewish dispersion detailed in Scripture.

As a broader spiritual lesson, it also reminds us that people from every nation can encounter God’s truth. Jeremiah 29:13 declares: “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” This teaching resonates across time, pointing to the inclusive message of redemption. The message of the Old and New Covenants holds a place for any who earnestly seek the truth, as exemplified by the Khazars’ interest in embracing belief systems beyond their initial tribal traditions.

Conclusion

The Khazar Jews—emerging from a Turkic kingdom known for trade and religious plurality—were a unique part of medieval history. Their adoption of Judaism, attested by archaeological findings and contemporaneous writings, demonstrates the propensity for people groups to adopt the faith of Israel even far from the land of the Bible. While the question of their descendants remains debated, there is consensus among most scholars that any Khazar contribution to modern Jewish communities is subsidiary to the primary Near Eastern and Mediterranean roots.

From a wider Christian perspective, the story of the Khazar Jews bears witness to the ever-present theme of God’s Word reaching distant lands and people. The significance lies not merely in identifying one’s ancestry, but in recognizing the invitation of salvation through Christ, as taught in the New Testament. It reiterates that God “wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). Through all the shifting sands of history, Scripture remains consistent in its message that in Christ, all are one—regardless of being a Khazar or of any other lineage.