Topical Encyclopedia The term "Israelites" refers to the descendants of Jacob, who was later named Israel by God. This name change is recorded in Genesis 32:28, where God says, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed." The Israelites are central to the narrative of the Old Testament, serving as God's chosen people through whom He would reveal His laws, promises, and ultimately, the Messiah.Patriarchs and Origins The origins of the Israelites trace back to the patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God made a covenant with Abraham, promising him numerous descendants and the land of Canaan (Genesis 12:1-3). This covenant was reaffirmed with Isaac (Genesis 26:3-5) and Jacob (Genesis 28:13-15). Jacob had twelve sons, who became the progenitors of the twelve tribes of Israel. Egyptian Bondage and Exodus The Israelites' sojourn in Egypt began with Joseph, one of Jacob's sons, who rose to prominence in Pharaoh's court. However, a later Pharaoh enslaved the Israelites, fearing their growing numbers (Exodus 1:8-14). God raised up Moses to lead His people out of bondage, performing miraculous signs and wonders, including the ten plagues and the parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 7-14). The Exodus is a pivotal event, symbolizing God's deliverance and faithfulness. Wilderness Wanderings and the Law After leaving Egypt, the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for forty years due to their disobedience and lack of faith (Numbers 14:26-35). During this time, God gave them the Law at Mount Sinai, including the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17). The Law established the Israelites as a holy nation and set them apart for God's purposes. Conquest and Settlement in Canaan Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites entered and conquered the Promised Land, Canaan, as recorded in the Book of Joshua. This conquest fulfilled God's promise to Abraham regarding the land. The Israelites were instructed to drive out the inhabitants and avoid their idolatrous practices (Deuteronomy 7:1-5). Period of the Judges and Monarchy Following the conquest, the Israelites experienced cycles of apostasy and deliverance during the period of the Judges. This era is characterized by the refrain, "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25). Eventually, the Israelites demanded a king, leading to the anointing of Saul, and later David, a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). David established Jerusalem as the capital, and his son Solomon built the Temple, centralizing worship. Division and Exile After Solomon's reign, the kingdom divided into Israel (Northern Kingdom) and Judah (Southern Kingdom). Persistent idolatry and disobedience led to the downfall of both kingdoms. The Northern Kingdom fell to Assyria in 722 BC, and the Southern Kingdom was exiled to Babylon in 586 BC (2 Kings 17:6; 25:8-11). Return and Restoration The Babylonian exile ended with the decree of Cyrus, allowing the Israelites to return and rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple (Ezra 1:1-4). This period of restoration is marked by the leadership of figures like Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah, who sought to reestablish the covenant community. Messianic Hope and Legacy Throughout their history, the Israelites were the recipients of God's promises concerning the coming Messiah. Prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah foretold a future hope and redemption through a descendant of David (Isaiah 9:6-7; Jeremiah 23:5-6). This messianic expectation is fulfilled in the New Testament with the coming of Jesus Christ, who is recognized as the Savior and King. The Israelites' account is foundational to understanding God's redemptive plan and His faithfulness to His covenant promises. Their history is a testament to God's grace, justice, and the unfolding of His divine purposes through His chosen people. ATS Bible Dictionary IsraelitesThe "children of Israel," a name of the twelve tribes unitedly until the separation under Rehoboam, when it became the usual designation of the ten tribes forming the kingdom of Israel. Ephraim, the leading tribe among the ten, seems to have shown an early spirit of rivalry towards Judah; Joshua had belonged to Ephraim, the ark had long rested within its borders at Shiloh, and Jeroboam was also an Ephraimite. After the division, in order to prevent the ten tribes from repairing to Jerusalem to worship, the two golden calves were set up, at Bethel and Dan, and thus idolatry was established in those tribes, and corruption and ungodliness increased more rapidly than in Judah. Israel was chastised by sword, famine, etc.; and at length, having been often reproved and hardening their necks, they were suddenly destroyed, and that without remedy. During the two hundred and fifty-four years of the kingdom of Israel, B. C. 975-721, there were nineteen different kings, of various lines. See KINGS. Shechem, Thirzah, and Samaria were in turn the seats of government. After their captivity by Shalmaneser, the Israelites as a nation never returned. Those who did return were merged in the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, and with them constituted the Jews of our Savior's day. See CANAAN, HEBREWS, and JUDAH. Greek 2475a. Israelites -- an Israelite ... 2475, 2475a. Israelites. 2475b . an Israelite. Transliteration: Israelites Short Definition: Israel. ... 2475, 2475a. Israelites. 2475b . Strong's Numbers. //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2475a.htm - 5k 2475. Israelites -- an Israelite 3197. Melchi -- Melchi, the name of two Israelites 4613. Simon -- Simon, the name of several Israelites 2491. Ioannes -- John, the name of several Israelites 2976. Lazaros -- Lazarus, the name of two Israelites 367. Ananias -- Ananias, the name of three Israelites 4826. Sumeon -- Symeon, Simeon, the name of several Israelites ... 2501. Ioseph -- Joseph, the name of several Israelites 7. Abia -- Abijah, Abia, the name of two Israelites Strong's Hebrew 3262. Yeuel -- "carried away by God," the name of several ...... Yeuel. 3263 . "carried away by God," the name of several Israelites. Transliteration: Yeuel Phonetic Spelling: (yeh-oo-ale') Short Definition: Jeiel. ... /hebrew/3262.htm - 6k 5988. Ammiel -- "my kinsman is God," four Israelites 6406. Palti -- "escape," two Israelites 6372. Pinechas -- three Israelites 5829. Ezer -- "help," three Israelites 6022. Amasay -- the name of several Israelites 6222. Asayah -- four Israelites 5658. Abdon -- four Israelites, also a Levitical city 5896. Ira -- three Israelites 5651. Ebed -- "servant," two Israelites Library How the Canaanites Brought the Israelites under Slavery for Twenty ... How the Israelites after this Misfortune Grew Wicked and Served ... The Israelites in Egypt. Sins of the Israelites. The Israelites yet Again Turned to Idols; And, Being Deprived of ... The Israelites How the Midianites and Other Nations Fought against the Israelites ... How Zachariah Shallum, Menahem Pekahiah and Pekah Took the ... How, after the Death of Joshua their Commander, the Israelites ... How under Eli's Government of the Israelites Booz Married Ruth ... Thesaurus Israelites (468 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance Israelites (468 Occurrences). Matthew 27:9 ... a price, (WEY). Acts 2:22 "Listen, Israelites, to what I say. ... /i/israelites.htm - 35k Sihon (34 Occurrences) Amalekite (12 Occurrences) Midianite (11 Occurrences) Ammonites (97 Occurrences) Ammon (100 Occurrences) Sojourner (81 Occurrences) Balaam (62 Occurrences) Gentiles (150 Occurrences) Amalek (35 Occurrences) Resources Why should we care about how the Israelites camped and traveled? | GotQuestions.orgHow many Israelites left Egypt in the exodus? | GotQuestions.org Why was the worship of Baal and Asherah a constant struggle for the Israelites? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Israelites (468 Occurrences)Matthew 27:9 Acts 2:22 Acts 3:12 Acts 5:35 Acts 7:23 Acts 7:37 Acts 13:16 Acts 21:28 Romans 9:3 Romans 9:4 Romans 9:27 Romans 10:1 1 Corinthians 10:18 2 Corinthians 3:7 2 Corinthians 3:13 2 Corinthians 11:22 Hebrews 11:22 Hebrews 11:28 Revelation 2:14 Genesis 32:32 Genesis 36:31 Exodus 1:12 Exodus 2:23 Exodus 3:9 Exodus 3:10 Exodus 3:11 Exodus 3:13 Exodus 4:29 Exodus 6:5 Exodus 6:9 Exodus 6:11 Exodus 6:12 Exodus 6:13 Exodus 6:26 Exodus 6:27 Exodus 7:2 Exodus 7:4 Exodus 7:5 Exodus 9:4 Exodus 9:6 Exodus 9:7 Exodus 9:26 Exodus 9:35 Exodus 10:20 Exodus 10:23 Exodus 11:10 Exodus 12:27 Exodus 12:31 Exodus 12:42 Exodus 13:2 Exodus 13:18 Exodus 14:3 Exodus 14:4 Exodus 14:5 Exodus 14:8 Exodus 14:9 Exodus 14:10 Exodus 14:15 Exodus 14:16 Exodus 14:25 Exodus 14:28 Exodus 15:19 Exodus 16:6 Exodus 16:12 Exodus 17:7 Exodus 17:8 Exodus 17:11 Exodus 19:1 Exodus 19:6 Exodus 24:11 Exodus 25:22 Exodus 27:20 Exodus 27:21 Exodus 28:1 Exodus 28:30 Exodus 28:38 Exodus 29:28 Exodus 29:43 Exodus 29:45 Exodus 30:12 Exodus 30:16 Exodus 31:17 Exodus 32:20 Exodus 34:30 Exodus 34:32 Exodus 34:34 Exodus 35:29 Exodus 36:3 Exodus 39:32 Exodus 40:36 Leviticus 1:2 Leviticus 7:34 Leviticus 7:36 Leviticus 7:38 Leviticus 10:11 Leviticus 10:14 Leviticus 15:2 Leviticus 15:31 Leviticus 16:16 Leviticus 16:19 Subtopics Sarcasm: Israelites Reproaching Moses Related Terms |