📖 Biblical Definition
Israel is the covenant name given to Jacob after his all-night wrestling with the LORD at Peniel: "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" (Genesis 32:28). The name passed to the nation descended from his twelve sons — the people through whom God brought His law, His prophets, His worship, and ultimately His Messiah. In the New Testament, "Israel" is extended through faith in Christ to include believing Gentiles grafted into the olive tree (Romans 11:17-24) — "the Israel of God" (Galatians 6:16). National Israel still has a future (Romans 11:25-29), and the church does not replace her — she is included with her.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Jacob's covenant name; the covenant nation; the people of God.
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The covenant name given to Jacob after wrestling with God at Peniel; the name of the nation descended from him through twelve sons; the people through whom God brought His Messiah; in the New Testament extended through faith to include Gentile believers grafted into the olive tree (Rom 11), the 'Israel of God' (Gal 6:16).
📖 Key Scripture
Genesis 32:28 — "And 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."
Romans 9:6 — "Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel."
Galatians 6:16 — "And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Reduced either to ethnic-political nation only or to spiritual-only category; Paul holds both in Romans 9-11.
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Romans 9-11 forces nuance. Israel after the flesh; Israel of faith; all Israel saved. The categories cannot be collapsed. Bless ethnic Israel; recognize the believing remnant; pray for the fullness; love the Israel of God across both lines.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew Yisra'el.
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['Hebrew', 'H3478', "Yisra'el", 'Israel, God strives']
['Hebrew', 'H8280', 'sarah', 'to strive, contend']
Usage
"Hold Romans 9-11's nuances."
"The Israel of God includes faith from all peoples."