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Glossary Definition of word.
Israelite
An Israelite is a descendent of Israel (a.k.a., Jacob) (Ge. 32:28). “And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied ...; and the land was filled with them” while in Egypt (Ex. 1:1-7). The Israelites were chosen from among the descendants of Abraham and Isaac. They are the only nation with whom God made a covenant. “And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments; And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the LORD thy God, as he hath spoken” (Dt. 26:18-19). Israel was also the only nation to received divinely composed laws. “And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?” (Dt. 4:8). Yet, “the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; and this people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods ... and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them” (Dt. 31:16). According to Stephen, the prophecy was fulfilled. “Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers” (Ac. 7:51-52).
The Israelites are the primary focus of the Old Testament. Jesus Christ and the original apostles were Israelites. The Israelites were divided into twelve tribes. The Israelites were also called Hebrews and Jews.
Also see non-Israelite. |
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