Israel as a Chosen and Set Apart People in Scripture
The concept of Israel as a chosen and set-apart people is central to biblical understanding, rooted in God's specific election of Jacob and his descendants. The name "Israel" itself was conferred upon Jacob after his struggle at Peniel, signifying "prince that prevails with God" or "soldier of God" [2, 5]. This name became the collective designation for the twelve tribes descended from Jacob [2, 5].
God's choice of Israel is frequently emphasized in Scripture. For instance, Psalm 135:4 states, "For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure" [4]. Deuteronomy 7:6-7 also highlights this divine election, noting that God chose Israel not because they were more numerous, but out of love [1]. This choice set them apart from all other nations [1]. As 1 Chronicles 17:21 proclaims, Israel was "the one nation on earth whom God went out to redeem as a people for Himself" [3].
This chosen status carried specific implications. Israel was separated from other nations by their unique relationship with God [8]. They were called to worship God and to lead other peoples to do the same [6]. Their covenant relationship was marked by circumcision [1]. The prophet Isaiah refers to Israel as God's "servant," chosen to worship Him [6]. The nation was also called God's "people" and "seed," designations that underscored their unique position, even when they were "laden with iniquity" [10].
The New Testament applies similar language of being "chosen" and "set apart" to believers in Christ, whether Jew or Gentile. For example, 1 Peter 2:9 describes Christians as a "chosen generation" and a "royal priesthood," echoing the privileges once given to the Jewish church [7, 12]. This suggests a spiritual Israel, distinct from the literal Israel, though the concept of Israel as God's chosen people remains significant in understanding God's redemptive plan [2, 9]. Adam Clarke notes that the Israelites were "separated unto God for his glory and praise," and their name implied their "very high dignity" as a "royal nation" [11].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Jews, The — Descended from Abraham -- Isa 51:2; Joh 8:39. Divided into twelve tribes -- Ge 35:22; 49:28. Called Hebrews. -- Ge 14:13; 40:15; 2Co 11:22. Israelites. -- Ex 9:7; Jos 3:17. Seed of Abraham. -- Ps 105:6; Isa 41:8. Seed of Jacob. -- Jer 33:26. Seed of Israel. -- 1Ch 16:13. Children of Jacob. -- 1Ch 16:13. Children of Israel. -- Ge 50:25; Isa 27:12. Jeshurun. -- De 32:15. Chosen and loved by God -- De 7:6,7. Circumcised in token of their covenant relation -- Ge 17:10,11; Ac 7:8. Separated from all other nations -- Ex 33:16; Le 20:24; 1Ki 8:53. Described as A”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Israel — The name conferred on Jacob after the great prayer-struggle at Peniel (Gen. 32:28), because "as a prince he had power with God and prevailed." (See [301]JACOB.) This is the common name given to Jacob's descendants. The whole people of the twelve tribes are called "Israelites," the "children of Israel" (Josh. 3:17; 7:25; Judg. 8:27; Jer. 3:21), and the "house of Israel" (Ex. 16:31; 40:38). This name Israel is sometimes used emphatically for the true Israel (Ps. 73:1: Isa. 45:17; 49:3; John 1:47; Rom. 9:6; 11:26). After the death of Saul the ten tribes arrogat”
- I Chronicles “I Chronicles 17:21 (BSB) — And who is like Your people Israel—the one nation on earth whom God went out to redeem as a people for Himself? You made a name for Yourself through great and awesome wonders by driving out nations from before Your people, whom You redeemed from Egypt.”
- King James Version “[KJV] Psalms 135:4 — For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Israel — (the prince that prevails with God). + The name given, (Genesis 32:28) to Jacob after his wrestling with the angel, (Hosea 12:4) at Peniel. Gesenius interprets Israel "soldier of God." + It became the national name of the twelve tribes collectively. They are so called in (Exodus 3:16) and afterward. + It is used in a narrower sense, excluding Judah, in (1 Samuel 11:8; 2 Samuel 20:1; 1 Kings 12:16) Thenceforth it was assumed and accepted as the name of the northern kingdom. + After the Babylonian captivity, the returned exiles resumed the name Israel as the de”
- Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 41:8: Contrast between the idolatrous nations whom God will destroy by Cyrus, and Israel whom God will deliver by the same man for their forefathers' sake. servant--so termed as being chosen by God to worship Him themselves, and to lead other peoples to do the same (Isa 45:4). Jacob . . . chosen-- (Psa 135:4). my friend--literally, "loving me."”
- 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 2:9: Contrast in the privileges and destinies of believers. Compare the similar contrast with the preceding context. chosen--"elect" of God, even as Christ your Lord is. generation--implying the unity of spiritual origin and kindred of believers as a class distinct from the world. royal--kingly. Believers, like Christ, the antitypical Melchisedec, are at once kings and priests. Israel, in a spiritual sense, was designed to be the same among the nations of the earth. The full realization on earth of this, both to the literal and the spiritual Israel, i”
- 2 Samuel (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Samuel 7:23: 7:23 Israel was set apart from every other nation by the uniqueness of its God and by the relationship the people had with him.”
- Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 56:8: The Lord God, which gathereth the outcasts of Israel, saith,.... Not the outcasts of literal Israel, the captives in Babylon, and elsewhere; but of spiritual Israel, and who are cast out, not by the Lord, but by the men of the world; who cast out their names as evil, who call them outcasts, and account them the offscouring of all things, Jer 30:17 or rather this character of them may represent what they appear to be in a state of nature, when they seem to be neglected, and not taken notice of by the Lord, as if they were not his people, or beloved by him; and are like”
- Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 1:4: people--the peculiar designation of God's elect nation (Hos 1:10), that they should be "laden with iniquity" is therefore the more monstrous. Sin is a load (Psa 38:4; Mat 11:28). seed--another appellation of God's elect (Gen 12:7; Jer 2:21), designed to be a "holy seed" (Isa 6:13), but, awful to say, "evildoers!" children--by adoption (Hos 11:1), yet "evildoers"; not only so, but "corrupters" of others (Gen 6:12); the climax. So "nation--people--seed children." provoked--literally, "despised," namely, so as to provoke (Pro 1:30-31). Holy One of ”
- Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 9:4: Who are Israelites - Descendants of Jacob, a man so highly favored of God, and from whom he received his name Israel - a prince of God, Gen 32:28; from which name his descendants were called Israelites, and separated unto God for his glory and praise. Their very name of Israelites implied their very high dignity; they were a royal nation; princes of the most high God. The adoption - The Israelites were all taken into the family of God, and were called his sons and first-born, Exo 4:22; Deu 14:1; Jer 31:9; Hos 11:1; and this adoption took place when God made the coven”
- 1 Peter (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Peter 2:9: Ye are a chosen generation - The titles formerly given to the whole Jewish Church, i.e. to all the Israelites without exception, all who were in the covenant of God by circumcision, whether they were holy persons or not, are here given to Christians in general in the same way; i.e. to all who believed in Christ, whether Jews or Gentiles, and who received baptism in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. The Israelites were a chosen or elected race, to be a special people unto the Lord their God, above all people that were upon the face of the”