Bible Location

Israel

Israel is a name with several related meanings in the Bible. God gave the name Israel to Jacob, and his descendants became known collectively as the children or people of Israel. The name subsequently referred to the nation formed from the tribes descended from Jacob.

After the reign of Solomon, the united kingdom divided. The northern kingdom retained the name Israel, while the southern kingdom became known as Judah. In this more restricted political sense, Israel refers to the northern kingdom centered eventually at Samaria.

Because Scripture uses "Israel" for a person, a people, the united nation, the northern kingdom, and at times the covenant people more generally, the intended meaning must be determined from the context of each passage.

Biblical Significance

Genesis 32 records Jacob wrestling through the night before his meeting with Esau. He was given the name Israel, and his descendants subsequently became known as the children of Israel.

During the Exodus, Israel became the principal biblical designation for the people whom God delivered from Egypt and with whom He established the covenant at Sinai. After the conquest and settlement of Canaan, the tribes formed the nation over which Saul, David, and Solomon ruled.

Following Solomon's death, the kingdom divided. Ten northern tribes followed Jeroboam I and were generally called Israel, while Judah and Benjamin remained under the Davidic dynasty. The northern kingdom existed until the Assyrian conquest in the eighth century BC.

The prophets continued to use the name Israel in theological as well as political senses, particularly when speaking about God's covenant, judgment, restoration, and promises concerning His people.

Historical Background

The political kingdom of Israel emerged in the Iron Age highlands and developed into a significant regional state. After the division of the monarchy, the northern kingdom controlled much of the central hill country, Jezreel Valley, Galilee, and at various times territory east of the Jordan.

Its early royal centers included Shechem and Tirzah. King Omri established Samaria as a new capital, and the city remained the political center of the northern kingdom until its fall.

Israel interacted repeatedly with Judah, Phoenicia, Aram-Damascus, Moab, Ammon, and the great Mesopotamian empires. Assyrian inscriptions independently mention several kings and events associated with biblical Israel.

Assyria progressively reduced Israelite territory during the eighth century BC. Samaria eventually fell to Assyria, bringing the independent northern kingdom to an end.

Modern Identification

The geographical meaning of Israel varies according to the biblical period being discussed. The northern kingdom occupied much of the central and northern portions of the biblical land, while the earlier united kingdom described in Scripture also included Judah and territories beyond the Jordan.

The biblical term should therefore not automatically be equated with the boundaries of the modern State of Israel. Ancient political boundaries changed repeatedly, and some biblical Israelite territories lay within areas that today belong to Israel, the Palestinian territories, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.

For AVWJ mapping, the historical period should determine the boundaries displayed whenever possible.

Scripture References

2 Samuel 8:15 2 Kings 14:25

Related Resources

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Sources

Bible: Genesis 32:22-32, Exodus 1-24, Joshua, Judges, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings 1-12, 2 Kings; Assyrian royal inscriptions and annals concerning Israel and Samaria; Mesha Stele; archaeological and historical studies of Iron Age Israel and Samaria