The term "Children of Israel" refers to the descendants of Jacob, who was later named Israel by God. This designation is used throughout the Bible to describe the collective people of the twelve tribes that originated from Jacob's sons. The Children of Israel hold a central place in biblical history as the chosen people through whom God revealed His laws and covenants.

Patriarchal Origins

The origins of the Children of Israel trace back to the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God made a covenant with Abraham, promising him numerous descendants and a land for his offspring (Genesis 12:1-3). This promise was reaffirmed to Isaac and Jacob, establishing a lineage that would become the nation of Israel.

The Twelve Tribes

Jacob had twelve sons, each of whom became the progenitor of one of the tribes of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin. Joseph's two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, were later adopted by Jacob and each became a tribe, effectively giving Joseph a double portion (Genesis 48:5-6).

Egyptian Bondage and Exodus

The Children of Israel migrated to Egypt during a famine, where they initially found favor due to Joseph's position in Pharaoh's court. Over time, they became enslaved by a new Pharaoh who did not know Joseph (Exodus 1:8-14). God raised up Moses to lead them out of bondage, performing miraculous signs and wonders, culminating in the Exodus. This event is foundational to Israel's identity, as it demonstrated God's power and faithfulness.

Covenant at Sinai

After the Exodus, the Children of Israel journeyed to Mount Sinai, where God established a covenant with them, giving the Law through Moses. This included the Ten Commandments and various laws governing religious, moral, and social life (Exodus 19-24). The covenant at Sinai set Israel apart as a holy nation and a kingdom of priests (Exodus 19:5-6).

Wilderness Wanderings and Conquest of Canaan

Due to their disobedience and lack of faith, the Children of Israel wandered in the wilderness for forty years before entering the Promised Land. Under Joshua's leadership, they conquered Canaan, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham (Joshua 1:2-6). The land was divided among the tribes, establishing Israel as a nation.

Monarchy and Division

The period of the judges was followed by the establishment of a monarchy. Saul was the first king, succeeded by David, who united the tribes and established Jerusalem as the capital. Solomon, David's son, built the Temple, centralizing worship in Jerusalem. After Solomon's reign, the kingdom divided into the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah (1 Kings 12:16-20).

Exile and Return

Due to persistent idolatry and disobedience, both kingdoms were eventually exiled—Israel by the Assyrians and Judah by the Babylonians. The Babylonian exile marked a significant period of reflection and transformation for the Children of Israel. A remnant returned to Jerusalem under Persian rule, rebuilding the Temple and reestablishing the covenant community (Ezra 1:1-4).

Messianic Hope

Throughout their history, the Children of Israel were sustained by the hope of a coming Messiah, a descendant of David who would establish an everlasting kingdom (Isaiah 9:6-7). This hope is fulfilled in the New Testament with the coming of Jesus Christ, who is recognized as the promised Messiah and Savior.

Spiritual Legacy

The Children of Israel's journey from slavery to nationhood, their covenant relationship with God, and their role in redemptive history are central themes in the Bible. They serve as a testament to God's faithfulness and the unfolding of His divine plan for humanity.Children of Israel

CHILDREN OF ISRAEL

iz'-ra-el (bene yisra'el): A very common term in both the Old Testament and the New Testament, and it refers to the Israelites as the descendants of a common ancestor, Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel (see Genesis 32:24-32). It was customary to designate the members of the various tribes as the children of the one from whom the tribe originated (see Numbers 1:20-43 Ezra 2:3-61), and it was natural that the people who boasted of Israel as their ancestor should be designated as his children. The first reference to the descendants of Jacob is found in the account of the changing of Jacob's name to Israel, and the purpose is to connect them with the experience in Jacob's life which led to the change in his name: "Therefore the children of Israel eat not the sinew of the hip, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the hollow of Jacob's thigh in the sinew of the hip." At the time when this was written "the children of Israel" was a phrase that was commonly applied to the Israelites. In 2 Kings 17:34 they are called "the children of Jacob," and this occurs in connection with the account of the changing of Jacob's name to Israel and is intended to connect them closely with their father Jacob, who was favored of God.

After a time, it is quite likely that the phrase "children of Israel" lost its peculiar significance and was simply one of the popular terms designating the inhabitants of Palestine, but at first it was intended to connect these people with their ancestor Jacob whose name was changed to Israel. The Jews of the New Testament times connected themselves with Abraham rather than with Jacob (see John 8:39 Romans 9:7 Galatians 3:7, tekna, or, huioi Abraam).

A. W. Fortune

And Again, Speaking Also of the Children of Israel as Baptized in ...
... A Sectional Confession of Faith. Section XXII. And again, speaking also
of the children of Israel as baptized in the cloud and? ...
/.../section xxii and again speaking.htm

Since those Marvellous Works which from the Days of Moses were ...
... Since those marvellous works which from the days of Moses were shown to the children
of Israel are attributed to Christ, it follows that He must have existed ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter ix since those marvellous.htm

The Story of Israel Crossing Jordan under Joshua is Typical of ...
... called Joshua, [4938] "In that day I will begin to exalt thee before the children
of Israel." And we hear our Lord Jesus saying to the children of Israel, [4939 ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/26 the story of israel.htm

On Deut. xxxiii. Ii
... the expositor of the Targum, has said that Moses, when he had finished this prophecy,
also pronounced a blessing upon all the children of Israel, by their ...
/.../the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/section x on deut xxxiii.htm

A Letter from Origen to Gregory.
... 2. Perhaps something of this kind is shadowed forth in what is written in Exodus
from the mouth of God, that the children of Israel were commanded to ask from ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origens letters/a letter from origen to 2.htm

How Christians are the Spiritual Israel.
... And I heard the number of them that were sealed, a hundred and forty-four thousand
who were sealed, out of every tribe of the children of Israel; of the tribe ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/1 how christians are the.htm

Letter of Origen to Gregory.
... of this sort perhaps that is enigmatically indicated in the directions God is
represented in the Book of Exodus [4448] as giving to the children of Israel. ...
/.../unknown/the passion of the scillitan martyrs/letter of origen to gregory.htm

Doubtful Fragments on the Pentateuch.
... it by the hand of our most blessed ruler, the chief of the prophets, and first of
the apostles, or those who were sent to the children of Israel, viz., Moses ...
/.../doubtful fragments on the pentateuch.htm

Was Moses "A Literary Fiction"?
... Here am I.... Come now, therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou
mayest bring forth my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt!' Exodus 3:4 ...
/.../iii was moses a literary.htm

A Preface
... Moses, Numbers 33:1, 2, writ of the journeys of the children of Israel, from Egypt
to the land of Canaan; and commanded also that they did remember their forty ...
/.../bunyan/grace abounding to the chief of sinners/a preface.htm

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