The term "Israelites" is a designation for the descendants of Jacob, who was also named Israel by God. This name is foundational in understanding the identity and history of the Jewish people as depicted in the Bible. The Israelites are central to the narrative of the Old Testament, and their account is one of covenant, promise, and divine purpose.

Origins and Patriarchs

The origins of the Israelites trace back to the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God made a covenant with Abraham, promising him that he would be the father of a great nation (Genesis 12:2-3). This promise was reaffirmed to Isaac and Jacob, establishing a lineage through which God's plans would unfold. Jacob, after wrestling with an angel, was renamed Israel, meaning "he struggles with God" (Genesis 32:28). His twelve sons became the progenitors of the twelve tribes of Israel.

The Exodus and the Law

The Israelites' defining moment came with the Exodus from Egypt, where they had been enslaved for generations. Under the leadership of Moses, God delivered them from bondage, an event that is commemorated annually in the Jewish festival of Passover. At Mount Sinai, God gave the Israelites the Law, including the Ten Commandments, which established the terms of the covenant and set them apart as a holy nation (Exodus 19:5-6).

The Promised Land

The Israelites' journey to the Promised Land, Canaan, was marked by trials and divine interventions. After wandering in the wilderness for forty years due to their disobedience and lack of faith, they finally entered the land under Joshua's leadership. The conquest and settlement of Canaan fulfilled God's promise to Abraham regarding the land (Joshua 21:43-45).

Monarchy and Division

The establishment of the monarchy under Saul, David, and Solomon marked a significant period in Israelite history. David, a man after God's own heart, unified the tribes and established Jerusalem as the capital. Solomon, his son, built the First Temple, centralizing worship in Jerusalem (1 Kings 6:1). However, after Solomon's reign, the kingdom divided into the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah due to internal strife and idolatry.

Exile and Return

The Israelites faced exile as a consequence of their persistent disobedience and idolatry. The northern kingdom fell to Assyria in 722 BC, and the southern kingdom was conquered by Babylon in 586 BC, leading to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. The Babylonian exile was a period of reflection and transformation for the Jewish people. The return from exile, as prophesied by Jeremiah and Isaiah, was facilitated by the Persian king Cyrus, allowing the rebuilding of the Temple and the restoration of Jerusalem (Ezra 1:1-4).

Identity and Legacy

Throughout their history, the Israelites maintained a distinct identity rooted in their covenant relationship with God. This identity was preserved through adherence to the Law, the observance of religious festivals, and the teachings of the prophets. The Israelites' account is one of faith, resilience, and divine purpose, serving as a testament to God's faithfulness and the unfolding of His redemptive plan for humanity.

The term "Israelites" is thus not only a historical designation but also a theological one, reflecting the unique relationship between God and His chosen people. The legacy of the Israelites continues to be a foundational element in the Judeo-Christian tradition, influencing religious thought and practice to this day.Exodus 9:7
And Pharaoh sent, and, behold, there was not one of the cattle of the Israelites dead. And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Joshua 3:17
And the priests that bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Malachi's Prophecy Concerning the Sacrifices of the Christians it ...
... Christians It cannot be taken as referring to the prayers of Jews of the ... sacrifices
of those who dwelt then in Jerusalem, and were called Israelites; but says ...
/.../chapter cxvii malachis prophecy concerning the.htm

Jews.
... satisfied with these vast sums extorted from these injured Israelites, in the ... patriarch,
while he who presided over the eastern Jews, was called the prince ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/jews.htm

Salvation to the Jews
... should be revealed among the Gentiles as well as among the Israelites. ... afore prepared
unto glory, even us, whom He hath called, not of the Jews only, but ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 35 salvation to the.htm

How under Eli's Government of the Israelites Booz Married Ruth ...
The Antiquities of the Jews. ... of Samson, Eli the high priest was governor of the
Israelites. ... to Elimelech, entertained her; and when Naomi was so called by her ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 how under elis.htm

Psalm LXXVI.
... but C??sar." [3446] O ye who are called Jews and are ... Jud??a: as they were not the true
Jews, so neither ... is not, the guileful and lying are not true Israelites. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxvi.htm

Against the Jews on the Question of the Sabbath.
... The seventh day is called the Sabbath and signifies rest ... is the precious number with
the Jews, God having ... God, knowing the denseness of the Israelites and their ...
/.../john/exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter xxiii against the jews on.htm

How Shalmaneser Took Samaria by Force and How He Transplanted the ...
... them some of those priests of the Israelites whom he ... customs to this very time, and
are called in the ... And when they see the Jews in prosperity, they pretend ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 14 how shalmaneser took.htm

How Nebuzaradan Set Gedaliah Over the Jews that were Left in Judea ...
... set up another; and he took those Jews that were ... Now as to Shalmanezer, he removed
the Israelites out of ... Persia and Media, but were then called Samaritans, by ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 how nebuzaradan set.htm

Intercourse of Jesus with the Pagans and the Samaritans.
... organization of Judaism, properly so called, was treated ... often preferred the Samaritans
to the orthodox Jews. ... confining his gospel to the Israelites proper,[3 ...
/.../renan/the life of jesus/chapter xiv intercourse of jesus.htm

The Appointment of a King Over the Israelites, Whose Name was Saul ...
The Antiquities of the Jews. ... CHAPTER 4. The Appointment Of A King Over The Israelites,
Whose Name Was ... preferable to what was visible in him: they called him Saul ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 the appointment of.htm

What does it mean that Jesus is the King of the Jews? | GotQuestions.org

Who are the Ashkenazi Jews? Are the Ashkenazim truly Jews? | GotQuestions.org

Who are the Jews for Jesus, and what do they believe? | GotQuestions.org

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