Ancient Israelites: is a Jew just from Judah or from any of the tribes?

Question

Someone told that only the folks in the tribe of Judah were Jews. The folks in the other tribes were Dannites, Benjamenites, etc.

Any of the them could be referred to as Israelites or Hebrews.

True?

Answer 1

Technically, but since all the other tribes besides Judah were exiled and lost, we call everyone Jews.

Answer 2

I can't stand that error. Here is the clarification. Jerusalem is pretty much the last stand in Israeli wars, as is the capital and was the location of the holy temple. While it was actually the last stand by the first temple's destruction, it was more or less like overthrowing the kingdom (of which was really no longer) of Israel, in contrast, by the second temple's destruction. Afterwards you could say Israel was conquered and destroyed even thought there were other cities and Jews dwelled in Israel for centuries. Jerusalem is part of the Judean Kingdom and province (shared with Benjamin province) so the conquered ones were largely Judeans, or at least viewed so. Titus imprinted "Judea conquered" or the like, on Roman coins. Hence the term was dragged into use, even by Jews over time, evolving into "jews" or something similar in other languages.

The entire nation are Jews, by what the world calls them. Much of the Jewish nation is unknown besides Levites, Judeans and Benjaminites, since much of the people were exiled by an Assyrian conquerer and became hidden away into history as what is known as the ten lost tribes but they are Jews too, meaning of the Jewish people.

Hebrews was the earliest term, which then became Israelites around Sinai when becoming a people and official Jews by accepting the Torah and have God as their God and them as his people (so the relationship goes).

Answer 3

The different reasons people are called Jews are these, at first it was due to being born in the tribe of Judah, Second to those who lived in Jerusalm and the surrounding areas. Third and final anyone who is a Hebrew is called a Jew.

Answer 4

All of the Twelves Tribes of Israel were collectively known as Israelites or Hebrews.

It is during the Roman occupation that all Israelites became referred to as Judeans. The abbreviation of that is, Jews.

Answer 5

This is the first I've heard of this. Has the sound of validity but I can't vouch on this one.

Jews can be Jews (as they are popularly known) by their faith. Following Judaism makes them Jewish.
They can be known by their nationality. Israelites have been called Jews for their entire existence albeit in various languages.
They can be of Jewish heritage. Speaking of bloodlines here.

Answer 6

All twelve had various assignments and duties to perform for the entire nation to be a whole. Performing all ceremonies and guarding their people and choosing a king and all community and government responsibilities including defense and care for the people.

Answer 7

I think there are 10 lost tribes, the tribe of Benjamin, Naphtali, Asher etc.
They are dispersed throughout the earth, as inumerable as the sand... You could be one!

Answer 8

Today ALL are called Jewish people.

If the person happens to be a Citizen of Israel then they are an Israeli.

The ancient language of the people is Hebrew.

Answer 9

they were jews