I would prefer answers from people who have read the Bible for themselves, and if anyone wants to paste chapter and verse to support any interpretation I'd welcome it.
2006-11-16 04:55:26 · 9 answers · asked by hog b 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Both. A people and a land. Clearly, and not by "interpretation" - that's what the text says:
Jeremiah 32:21:
21 And hast brought forth thy ** people ** Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs and with wonders and with a strong hand and with a stretched out arm and with great terror
Joshua 11:16:
16 So Joshua took this entire land: the hill country, all the Negev, the whole region of Goshen, the western foothills, the Arabah and the ** mountains of Israel with their foothills **
2006-11-16 05:02:28 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Its both, as Jesus was from the lineage of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. You really need to take the time to read the Bible to understand why history and the world is hinged on Israel.
The Jews are Gods chosen people, good, bad or indifferent. And they have withstood the test of time, to include how many attacks to drive them away?? Since 1947 when the tiny nation of Israel came into being, the far flung members of the 12 tribes of Israel, have all came home. The Bible says they will never be ran off of their land again and so far, I really believe it.
2006-11-16 05:00:10 · answer #2 · answered by bigmikejones 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Israel is another name for Jacob.
Bnei Israel is the name for Israel as a nation, but sometimes the 'bnei' is dropped and Israel refers to the nation as a whole.
Eretz Israel is the land promised to Israel to the full extent as described in the bible.
Medinat Israel is the modern State of Israel.
Again, Israel, by itself, is often used to describe the entire land or the modern state.
The context in which the term is used determines its exact meaning.
2006-11-16 04:59:52 · answer #3 · answered by mzJakes 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Israel is a people from the lineage of Abraham. Abraham had Isaac and Isaac had Jacob whos name was changed to "Israel" which means "struggles with God."
Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome. Gn 32:28
Israel is a place: "Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, to whom you swore by your own self: `I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and I will give your descendants all this land I promised them, and it will be their inheritance forever.' " EX 32:13
Then when the land is subdued before the LORD, you may return and be free from your obligation to the LORD and to Israel. And this land will be your possession before the LORD. NU 32:22
2006-11-16 05:05:03 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's both. There's the nation of Israel as in the actual plot of land, and then there's the Nation of Israel, the actual people.
2006-11-16 04:58:19 · answer #5 · answered by . 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Israel is the land which was promised to the people of Israel, the Jews, by G-d. This promise was made to Abraham, the first Jew.
2006-11-16 06:02:53 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
'Israel' was the name given to God by Jacob. The off-springs of Jacob who were enslaved in Egypt were called 'Children of Israel' or Israelites.
When the Jews claimed a homeland in 1948, they named it 'Israel'
2006-11-16 05:05:02 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both,in The Old Testament God speaks with them,save them and was with they on the way to the country where will be honey and milk...
They go throw the Red sea with the Power of God. Is real History.
2006-11-16 07:00:33 · answer #8 · answered by mirna 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes
2006-11-16 05:55:27 · answer #9 · answered by george p 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋