of Hebrew origin (יִשְׂרָאֵל); Israel (i.e. Jisrael), the adopted name of Jacob, including his descendants (literally or figuratively):--Israel.
Transliteration:Israḗl
Pronunciation:is-rah-ale'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term G2474 (Ἰσραήλ, *Israḗl*) directly derives from its Hebrew counterpart, `{{H3478}}` (יִשְׂרָאֵל, *Yisra'el*), a name bestowed upon Jacob by God after his wrestling match at Peniel, as recorded in [[Genesis 32:28]]. The etymology of `{{H3478}}` is debated but commonly understood to mean "God strives" or "he strives with God," signifying a profound encounter where Jacob wrestled with a divine being and prevailed, receiving a new identity.
Semantically, G2474 encompasses two primary referents:
1. **The Patriarch Jacob:** It refers to Jacob himself, whose life and transformation serve as the foundational narrative for the people who would bear his new name.
2. **The Descendants of Jacob:** More broadly and frequently, it refers to the collective body of Jacob's descendants, the nation of Israel, God's chosen people with whom He established a covenant. This can refer to the physical, ethnic nation, or, in the New Testament, it can take on a more nuanced spiritual dimension, referring to the true people of God, whether Jewish or Gentile, who are united in Christ.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the New Testament, G2474 appears frequently, reflecting its central importance in salvation history.
In the Gospels, "Israel" often refers to the physical nation and its people, the recipients of God's promises and the primary focus of Jesus' earthly ministry. Jesus explicitly states His mission to "the lost sheep of the house of Israel" in [[Matthew 10:6]] and [[Matthew 15:24]]. John the Baptist's role is described as turning "many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God" [[Luke 1:16]], and Zechariah praises God for visiting and redeeming "His people Israel" [[Luke 1:68]]. These instances underscore the continuity of God's covenant with the historical nation.
In the book of Acts, "Israel" continues to denote the Jewish people, particularly in the sermons of Peter and Stephen. Peter addresses "men of Israel" in his Pentecost sermon [[Acts 2:22]] and again in [[Acts 3:12]], calling them to repentance and faith in Jesus, the Messiah of Israel. This highlights the early church's understanding of itself as the fulfillment and continuation of God's work among Israel.
Paul's epistles, particularly Romans 9-11, offer the most profound theological exposition on G2474. Paul grapples with the paradox of Israel's rejection of their Messiah while affirming God's enduring faithfulness to them. In [[Romans 9:6]], Paul famously states, "For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel," introducing the crucial distinction between ethnic Israel and a true, spiritual Israel, comprised of those who believe. He speaks of a "remnant" chosen by grace [[Romans 11:5]] and envisions a future where "all Israel will be saved" after the "fullness of the Gentiles has come in" [[Romans 11:25-26]]. This complex usage indicates that while God's promises to ethnic Israel remain, true membership in "Israel" is ultimately determined by faith in Christ. In [[Galatians 6:16]], Paul refers to "the Israel of God," which is variously interpreted as the church (composed of believing Jews and Gentiles), believing Jews within the church, or the Jewish people who will ultimately turn to Christ.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of G2474 is enriched by understanding its connections to several key biblical concepts and terms:
* **`{{H3478}}` (Yisra'el):** The direct Hebrew origin, signifying the name given to Jacob.
* **`{{H3290}}` (Ya'aqov):** Jacob, the patriarch whose name was changed to Israel, establishing the lineage.
* **Covenant:** The relationship between God and Israel is fundamentally defined by divine covenants (Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic), which promise land, descendants, and a unique relationship with God.
* **Remnant (`{{H7605}}`, `{{G3005}}`):** The concept of a faithful minority within Israel through whom God preserves His purposes, especially prominent in prophetic literature and Paul's writings.
* **Chosen People/Elect:** Israel's identity as the people uniquely chosen by God for His redemptive purposes.
* **Church (`{{G1577}}` ekklesia):** The New Testament explores the intricate relationship between Israel and the Church, with various theological positions on whether the Church replaces Israel, fulfills Israel's promises, or exists alongside a distinct future for ethnic Israel.
* **Gentiles (`{{G1484}}` ethnos):** Often contrasted with Israel, particularly in the context of the expansion of salvation to all nations through Christ.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of G2474 is profound and multifaceted:
* **God's Unwavering Faithfulness:** The continued existence of Israel, despite their historical disobedience and rejection of the Messiah, stands as a testament to God's enduring faithfulness to His covenant promises [[Romans 11:1-2]].
* **Centrality in Salvation History:** Israel is the vehicle through which God's redemptive plan unfolds, culminating in the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus the Messiah, who is Himself "of the race of David according to the flesh" [[Romans 1:3]].
* **Identity and Calling:** The name "Israel" itself, "God strives" or "he strives with God," encapsulates the dynamic and often challenging relationship between God and His chosen people. It signifies a people called to wrestle with God's will, to bear His name, and to be a light to the nations.
* **Spiritual vs. Ethnic Identity:** The New Testament, particularly through Paul, introduces a critical distinction between those who are ethnically descended from Israel and those who are truly "Israel" in a spiritual sense through faith in Christ. This challenges a purely genealogical understanding of God's people and opens the door for the inclusion of Gentiles into God's family.
* **Future Hope:** The biblical narrative, particularly in prophetic books and Romans 11, points to a future restoration and salvation for ethnic Israel, demonstrating God's ultimate triumph and the full realization of His promises.
### Summary
The Greek term G2474 (Ἰσραήλ, *Israḗl*), derived from the Hebrew name given to Jacob, signifies both the patriarch himself and, more commonly, his descendants. In the New Testament, its usage evolves, referring to the physical nation of God's covenant people, but also, critically, to a spiritual reality. Paul's intricate arguments in Romans 9-11 highlight that true "Israel" encompasses those who possess faith in Christ, whether Jew or Gentile, while affirming God's enduring promises to ethnic Israel. The word thus encapsulates God's unwavering faithfulness, the unfolding of salvation history, the complex identity of God's chosen people, and the ultimate hope for the full redemption of both Jew and Gentile in Christ. It reminds us that God's plan is both historically rooted in Israel and universally extended through the Messiah.
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