Israel's True Identity in Scripture and the Bible
The identity of Israel in Scripture is multifaceted, referring primarily to the descendants of Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel after he wrestled with an angel at Peniel (Genesis 32:28) [1, 3]. The name "Israel" means "who prevails with God" or "prince that prevails with God" [2, 3]. This new name for Jacob became the collective national name for his twelve tribes, who were subsequently called "Israelites," "children of Israel," and "house of Israel" [1, 5].
Initially, Israel designated the entire people descended from Jacob [1, 10]. God redeemed this nation for Himself, making a name for Himself through wonders when He brought them out of Egypt (1 Chronicles 17:21) [4]. Their very presence in exile served as evidence that God is truly God, having predicted their exile and subsequent redemption [9]. The Lord was always intended to be the true King of Israel (Numbers 23:21; 1 Samuel 8:7) [8].
Over time, the term "Israel" also developed narrower and broader meanings. In a narrower sense, after the division of the kingdom, "Israel" sometimes referred specifically to the northern kingdom, excluding Judah (1 Samuel 11:8; 2 Samuel 20:1; 1 Kings 12:16) [3]. After the Babylonian captivity, the returned exiles resumed the name Israel [3].
The New Testament and later Jewish thought expanded the concept of Israel to include a "righteous remnant" within the biological descendants of Jacob (Isaiah 11:10-16) [6]. Paul speaks of an "Israel within Israel," comprising both Jews and Gentiles who genuinely believe [6]. This spiritual understanding of Israel means that not all who are descended from Israel are truly Israel (Romans 9:6) [1]. John Gill notes that the "children of Israel" in prophecies like Hosea 3:5 can refer to both the ten tribes and the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin, whose return and conversion will occur simultaneously, and are all spoken of under the name of Israel by Paul in Romans 11:26 [7]. In this spiritual sense, "all the seed of Israel" who are justified are the spiritual Israel of God, whether Jew or Gentile, who look to Christ for righteousness [11]. Jesus' description of Nathanael as "an Israelite in whom there is no deceit" (John 1:47) contrasts him with Jacob, who was known for his scheming, suggesting Nathanael embodied God's ideal for Israel [1, 12]. The Church, mystically united with Christ, is also called by the same name as Messiah, "The Lord Our Righteousness" (Jeremiah 33:16) [13].
Sources
- 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”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Israel — who prevails with God”
- 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”
- 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.”
- 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”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 9:6: 9:6 are truly members of God’s people (literally are Israel): “Israel” can refer to the people of Israel in a biological sense, i.e., everyone descended from Jacob. But in the latter part of the Old Testament and in Judaism, the idea of a “righteous remnant” within Israel developed (see Isa 11:10-16). On at least one occasion in the New Testament, Israel refers to everyone, Jew and Gentile, who belongs to God in a spiritual sense (Gal 6:16). Paul is stating that there is now an “Israel within Israel,” a community consisting of both Jews and Gentiles who truly belie”
- Hosea (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hosea 3:5: Afterward shall the children of Israel return,.... The ten tribes of Israel, and also the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin, which are included in the name of Israel, as Aben Ezra interprets it; and these are joined together in parallel places; see Jer 30:3 for though they did not go into captivity together, yet their return and conversion will be at the same time; and they are all spoken of under the name of Israel by the Apostle Paul, when he foretells their conversion and salvation, Rom 11:26. The "return" of them, here prophesied of, does not barely mean their return”
- Zephaniah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Zephaniah 3:15: 3:15 The true King of Israel was always to be the Lord (Num 23:21; 1 Sam 8:7; Isa 44:6). • will live among you: See also Isa 54:4-8; 57:14-19; 62:10-12; Ezek 48:35; Joel 3:17, 21.”
- Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 43:10: 43:10 you are my witnesses: By their very presence in exile, Israel was evidence that God is truly God. He predicted the Exile long beforehand, and now it had come to pass. God alone is the true God because he speaks and acts and controls all of history. Idols and false gods could do none of these things. Israel would later become even greater evidence because God had also predicted their redemption (43:11-12).”
- 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”
- Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 45:25: In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified,.... All the spiritual Israel of God, whether Jews or Gentiles; all the spiritual seed and offspring of Christ, to whom he stands in the relation of the, everlasting Father and federal Head; these being given to him, and being in him, are justified in him from all things; and these, all and everyone, shall be brought to see their need of his righteousness, and look to him for it, and receive it from him by faith; and be manifestatively justified in their own consciences, as they will be openly at the bar of God, b”
- John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 1:47: 1:47 Jesus referred to Nathanael as a man of complete integrity, contrasting him with Jacob, the scheming, deceitful patriarch whom God renamed Israel (see Gen 25:27-34; 27:1-36; 32:22-32). It is as though Nathanael embodied God’s ideal for Israel.”
- Jeremiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jeremiah 33:16: Jerusalem--In Jer 23:6, instead of this, it is "Israel." "The name" in the Hebrew has here to be supplied from that passage; and for "he" (Messiah, the antitypical "Israel"), the antecedent there (Isa 49:3), we have "she" here, that is, Jerusalem. She is called by the same name as Messiah, "The Lord Our Righteousness," by virtue of the mystical oneness between her (as the literal representative of the spiritual Church) and her Lord and Husband. Thus, whatever belongs to the Head belongs also to the members (Eph 5:30, Eph 5:32). Hence, the Church is ”