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27 verses · KJV · every verse read aloud

Israel in the Bible

What does the Bible say about Israel?

Israel is the new name God gave Jacob after he wrestled at Peniel (Genesis 32:28). It then became the name of Jacob's twelve sons and the nation that came from them, God's chosen covenant people (Exodus 19:5-6). In the New Testament, Paul writes that "they are not all Israel, which are of Israel" (Romans 9:6).

  1. Jacob is renamed Israel
  2. The twelve tribes of Israel
  3. God's chosen covenant people

Israel in the Bible: Jacob is renamed Israel

The name begins with Jacob, who wrestled with God and prevailed.

4 verses

Genesis 32:24-28

KJV
King James Version

24And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. 25And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. 26And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. 27And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. 28And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

So Jacob was left all alone, and there a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower Jacob, he struck the socket of Jacob’s hip and dislocated it as they wrestled. Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” “What is your name?” the man asked. “Jacob,” he replied. Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men, and you have prevailed.”

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Genesis 32:24-28

Genesis 35:10

KJV
King James Version

And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

And God said to him, “Though your name is Jacob, you will no longer be called Jacob. Instead, your name will be Israel. ” So God named him Israel.

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Hosea 12:3-4

KJV
King James Version

3He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God: 4Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us;

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

In the womb he grasped his brother’s heel, and in his vigor he wrestled with God. Yes, he struggled with the angel and prevailed; he wept and sought His favor; he found Him at Bethel and spoke with Him there —

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2 Kings 17:34

KJV
King James Version

Unto this day they do after the former manners: they fear not the LORD, neither do they after their statutes, or after their ordinances, or after the law and commandment which the LORD commanded the children of Jacob, whom he named Israel;

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

To this day they are still practicing their former customs. None of them worship the LORD or observe the statutes, ordinances, laws, and commandments that the LORD gave the descendants of Jacob, whom He named Israel.

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about 2 Kings 17:34

Israel in the Bible: The twelve tribes of Israel

Jacob's twelve sons became the twelve tribes of one nation.

3 verses

Genesis 49:28

KJV
King James Version

All these are the twelve tribes of Israel: and this is it that their father spake unto them, and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

These are the tribes of Israel, twelve in all, and this was what their father said to them. He blessed them, and he blessed each one with a suitable blessing.

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Genesis 49:28

Genesis 48:5

KJV
King James Version

And now thy two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born unto thee in the land of Egypt before I came unto thee into Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

And now your two sons born to you in Egypt before I came to you here shall be reckoned as mine; Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mine, just as Reuben and Simeon are mine.

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Exodus 1:1

KJV
King James Version

Now these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt; every man and his household came with Jacob.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

These are the names of the sons of Israel who went to Egypt with Jacob, each with his family:

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Israel in the Bible: God's chosen covenant people

God brought Israel out of Egypt and made them His own people.

6 verses

Exodus 19:5-6

KJV
King James Version

5Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: 6And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations — for the whole earth is Mine. And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to speak to the Israelites.”

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Exodus 4:22

KJV
King James Version

And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

Then tell Pharaoh that this is what the LORD says: ‘Israel is My firstborn son,

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Exodus 6:7

KJV
King James Version

And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

I will take you as My own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.

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Deuteronomy 7:6

KJV
King James Version

For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession out of all peoples on the face of the earth.

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Deuteronomy 7:7-8

KJV
King James Version

7The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: 8But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

The LORD did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than the other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But because the LORD loved you and kept the oath He swore to your fathers, He brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Deuteronomy 7:7-8

Israel in the Bible: Israel in the prophets

The prophets call Israel God's servant and promise a new covenant.

5 verses

Isaiah 41:8

KJV
King James Version

But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

“But you, O Israel, My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, descendant of Abraham My friend—

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Isaiah 43:1

KJV
King James Version

But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

But now, this is what the LORD says— He who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine!

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Isaiah 49:3

KJV
King James Version

And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

He said to Me, “You are My Servant, Israel, in whom I will display My glory.”

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Hosea 11:1

KJV
King James Version

When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son.

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Jeremiah 31:31

KJV
King James Version

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.

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Israel in the Bible: Israel in the New Testament

Paul, himself an Israelite, writes about Israel, the promises and the Israel of God.

9 verses

Romans 9:6

KJV
King James Version

Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

It is not as though God’s word has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.

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Romans 9:4-5

KJV
King James Version

4Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; 5Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory and the covenants; theirs the giving of the law, the temple worship, and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them proceeds the human descent of Christ, who is God over all, forever worthy of praise! Amen.

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Romans 10:1

KJV
King James Version

Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is for their salvation.

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Romans 11:1

KJV
King James Version

I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

I ask then, did God reject His people? Certainly not! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin.

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Romans 11:26

KJV
King James Version

And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come from Zion; He will remove godlessness from Jacob.

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Galatians 6:16

KJV
King James Version

And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

Peace and mercy to all who walk by this rule, even to the Israel of God.

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Philippians 3:5

KJV
King James Version

Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin; a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee;

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Matthew 2:15

KJV
King James Version

And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

where he stayed until the death of Herod. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”

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1 Peter 2:9

KJV
King James Version

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

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What the first Christians said about Israel

Exact words from our library of the early church writers. Each one opens at the place it was written.

“Holy Scripture declares that a certain nation was chosen by God on the earth. This nation received several names. Sometimes all of it is called Israel, and sometimes Jacob.”

OrigenDe Principiis (On First Principles)
Read and listen to Origen

The Greek and Hebrew words for Israel

The words behind the English. Each word page has a Listen button for how it is said.

  • Yisrael Hebrew · Strong’s H3478

    he will rule as God; a name of Jacob and of his descendants

    Hear it & see its verses

  • Israel Greek · Strong’s G2474

    Israel, the adopted name of Jacob, including his descendants

    Hear it & see its verses

Questions people ask about Israel in the Bible

What does the name Israel mean?

God gave Jacob the name and explained it: "for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed" (Genesis 32:28). Strong's dictionary gives the sense "he will rule as God." It speaks of one who strove with God and prevailed.

Listen: Genesis 32:24-28

Who was renamed Israel in the Bible?

Jacob, the son of Isaac and grandson of Abraham. After he wrestled all night at Peniel, God said his name would be Israel (Genesis 32:28), and later confirmed it at Bethel (Genesis 35:10).

Listen: Genesis 35:10

Who are the twelve tribes of Israel?

They come from Jacob's twelve sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Joseph and Benjamin (Genesis 49:28). Jacob counted Joseph's sons Ephraim and Manasseh as his own, so each became a tribe (Genesis 48:5).

Listen: Genesis 49:28 · Genesis 48:5

Why is Israel called God's chosen people?

God chose Israel "to be a special people unto himself" (Deuteronomy 7:6), not because they were many, but because the LORD loved them and kept His oath (Deuteronomy 7:7-8). He called them "a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation" (Exodus 19:6). In the New Testament Peter gives these same words to the church: "ye are... a royal priesthood, an holy nation" (1 Peter 2:9).

Listen: Deuteronomy 7:6 · 1 Peter 2:9

What is the Israel of God?

Paul ends Galatians with a blessing "upon the Israel of God" (Galatians 6:16), and says "they are not all Israel, which are of Israel" (Romans 9:6). The early Christians read it as the church: all who belong to Christ, Jew and Gentile. Justin Martyr wrote that "the true spiritual Israel" are "we who have been led to God through this crucified Christ."

Listen: Galatians 6:16 · Romans 9:6