Jump to: Hitchcock's • Smith's • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia The term "Jew" refers to a member of the people and cultural community whose traditional religion is Judaism and who trace their origins to the ancient Hebrews of the Bible. The word "Jew" is derived from "Judah," one of the twelve tribes of Israel, and later came to denote all Israelites. In the New Testament, the term is used to describe the descendants of the Israelites, particularly those living in Judea.Old Testament Context In the Old Testament, the Israelites are often referred to as the "children of Israel," a term that encompasses all twelve tribes descended from Jacob, who was also called Israel. The tribe of Judah, from which the term "Jew" is derived, was one of the most prominent tribes, producing kings such as David and Solomon. The division of the kingdom after Solomon's reign led to the southern kingdom being known as Judah, which included the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. New Testament Context By the time of the New Testament, the term "Jew" had become more widely used to describe the people of Israel, particularly those who adhered to the religious practices and traditions of Judaism. The New Testament frequently mentions Jews in the context of their interactions with Jesus and the early Christian church. For example, in the Gospel of John, Jesus speaks to a Samaritan woman, saying, "You worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews" (John 4:22). The Apostle Paul, himself a Jew, often addressed the relationship between Jews and Gentiles in his epistles. In Romans, he writes, "What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew? Or what value is there in circumcision? Much in every way. First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God" (Romans 3:1-2). Paul emphasizes that the Jews were the recipients of God's law and promises, yet he also stresses that salvation is available to all through faith in Jesus Christ. Cultural and Religious Identity Throughout history, Jews have maintained a distinct cultural and religious identity, characterized by adherence to the Torah, observance of the Sabbath, and various religious festivals. The Jewish people have faced periods of persecution and dispersion, yet they have preserved their traditions and faith. The Old Testament law, given through Moses, remains central to Jewish religious practice, and the synagogue serves as a place of worship and community gathering. Theological Significance In Christian theology, the Jews hold a unique place as God's chosen people, through whom He revealed His law and promises. The covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob established the foundation for God's relationship with the Jewish people. Christians believe that Jesus, a Jew from the line of David, fulfilled the Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament, offering salvation to both Jews and Gentiles. The Apostle Paul addresses the mystery of Israel's role in God's redemptive plan, stating, "I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you will not be conceited: A hardening in part has come to Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: 'The Deliverer will come from Zion; He will remove godlessness from Jacob'" (Romans 11:25-26). Modern Implications Today, the term "Jew" encompasses a wide range of cultural, ethnic, and religious identities. While many Jews continue to practice traditional Judaism, others identify culturally or ethnically without religious observance. The modern state of Israel, established in 1948, serves as a focal point for Jewish identity and heritage, though Jews are found in communities worldwide. The relationship between Jews and Christians continues to be a topic of theological and interfaith dialogue, with an emphasis on mutual respect and understanding. The shared heritage of the Old Testament and the recognition of Jesus' Jewish identity provide common ground for discussion and cooperation. Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary JewSmith's Bible Dictionary Jew(a man of Judea). This name was properly applied to a member of the kingdom of Judah after the separation of the ten tribes. The term first makes its appearance just before the captivity of the ten tribes. The term first makes it appearance just before the captivity of the ten tribes. (2 Kings 16:6) After the return the word received a larger application. Partly from the predominance of the members of the old kingdom of Judah among those who returned to Palestine, partly from the identification of Judah with the religious ideas and hopes of the people, all the members of the new state were called Jews (Judeans) and the name was extended to the remnants of the race scattered throughout the nations. Under the name of "Judeans" the people of Israel were known to classical writers. (Tac. H. v.2, etc.) The force of the title "Jew" is seen particularly in the Gospel of St. John, who very rarely uses any other term to describe the opponents of our Lord. At an earlier stage of the progress of the faith it was contrasted with Greek as implying an outward covenant with God, (Romans 1:16; 2:9,10; Colossians 3:11) etc., which was the correlative of Hellenist [HELLENIST], and marked a division of language subsisting within the entire body, and at the same time less expressive than Israelite , which brought out with especial clearness the privileges and hopes of the children of Jacob. (2 Corinthians 11:22; John 1:47) Easton's Bible Dictionary The name derived from the patriarch Judah, at first given to one belonging to the tribe of Judah or to the separate kingdom of Judah (2 Kings 16:6; 25:25; Jeremiah 32:12; 38:19; 40:11; 41:3), in contradistinction from those belonging to the kingdom of the ten tribes, who were called Israelites.During the Captivity, and after the Restoration, the name, however, was extended to all the Hebrew nation without distinction (Esther 3:6, 10; Dan. 3:8, 12; Ezra 4:12; 5:1, 5). Originally this people were called Hebrews (Genesis 39:14; 40:15; Exodus 2:7; 3:18; 5:3; 1 Samuel 4:6, 9, etc.), but after the Exile this name fell into disuse. But Paul was styled a Hebrew (2 Corinthians 11:22; Philippians 3:5). The history of the Jewish nation is interwoven with the history of Palestine and with the narratives of the lives of their rulers and chief men. They are now [1897] dispersed over all lands, and to this day remain a separate people, "without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image [R.V. `pillar,' marg. `obelisk'], and without an ephod, and without teraphim" (Hosea 3:4). Till about the beginning of the present century [1800] they were everywhere greatly oppressed, and often cruelly persecuted; but now their condition is greatly improved, and they are admitted in most European countries to all the rights of free citizens. In 1860 the "Jewish disabilities" were removed, and they were admitted to a seat in the British Parliament. Their number in all is estimated at about six millions, about four millions being in Europe. There are three names used in the New Testament to designate this people, (1.) Jews, as regards their nationality, to distinguish them from Gentiles. (2.) Hebrews, with regard to their language and education, to distinguish them from Hellenists, i.e., Jews who spoke the Greek language. (3.) Israelites, as respects their sacred privileges as the chosen people of God. "To other races we owe the splendid inheritance of modern civilization and secular culture; but the religious education of mankind has been the gift of the Jew alone." Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (n.) Originally, one belonging to the tribe or kingdom of Judah; after the return from the Babylonish captivity, any member of the new state; a Hebrew; an Israelite.International Standard Bible Encyclopedia JEW, JEWESS, JEWISHju, joo, ju'-ish, joo'-ish (yehudhi plural yehudhim; Ioudaioi; feminine adjective yehudhith; Ioudaikos): "Jew" denotes originally an inhabitant of Judah (2 Kings 16:6 applies to the two tribes of the Southern Kingdom), but later the meaning was extended to embrace all descendants of Abraham. In the Old Testament the word occurs a few times in the singular. (Esther 2:5; Esther 3:4, etc.; Jeremiah 34:9 Zechariah 8:23); very frequently in the plural in Ezra and Nehemiah, Esther, and in Jeremiah and Daniel. The adjective in the Old Testament applies only to the "Jews' language" or speech (2 Kings 18:26, 28 parallel Nehemiah 13:24 Isaiah 36:11, 13). "Jews" (always plural) is the familiar term for Israelites in the Gospels (especially in John), Acts, Epistles, etc. "Jewess" occurs in 1 Chronicles 4:18 Acts 16:1; Acts 24:24. In Titus 1:14 a warning is given against "Jewish fables" (in Greek the adjective is found also in Galatians 2:14). The "Jews' religion" (Ioudaismos) is referred to in Galatians 1:13, 14. On the "Jews' language,'' see LANGUAGES OF THE OLD TESTAMENT; on the "Jews' religion," see ISRAEL, RELIGION OF. Greek 1675. Hellenistes -- a Hellenist (Greek-speaking Jew) ... a Hellenist (Greek-speaking Jew). Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Hellenistes Phonetic Spelling: (hel-lay-nis-tace') Short Definition: a ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1675.htm - 6k 2453. Ioudaios -- Jewish, a Jew, Judea 1445. Hebraios -- a Hebrew or Jew 1482. ethnikos -- national, foreign, ie spec. a Gentile 2450. Ioudaizo -- to Judaize 2475. Israelites -- an Israelite 921. Barnabas -- Barnabas, an Israelite companion of Paul 241. allogenes -- of another race 207. Akulas -- Aquila, a Christian 625. Apollos -- Apollos, an Alexandrian Jewish Christian Strong's Hebrew 3054. yahad -- to become a Jew... 3053, 3054. yahad. 3055 . to become a Jew. Transliteration: yahad Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-had') Short Definition: Jews. Word Origin ... /hebrew/3054.htm - 6k 3064. Yehudi -- Jewish 3062. Yehudain -- an inhabitant of Judah Library The Surprised Jew. The Surprising Jew. The Antichrist Will be a Jew Jew and Gentile Greek and Jew And one Nicodemus, a Jew, Stood Before the Procurator... In the Person of the Jew, Celsus Continues to Find Fault with ... But Should it be the Jew who Gainsays These Arguments... After This, Forsooth, the Jew of Celsus, to Keep up the Character ... And Since this Jew of Celsus Makes it a Subject of Reproach that ... Thesaurus Jew (34 Occurrences)... races we owe the splendid inheritance of modern civilization and secular culture; but the religious education of mankind has been the gift of the Jew alone.". ... /j/jew.htm - 22k Jew's (3 Occurrences) Greek (19 Occurrences) Gentile (24 Occurrences) Justus (3 Occurrences) Mor'decai (51 Occurrences) Race (36 Occurrences) Jewish (49 Occurrences) Stephen (13 Occurrences) Apollos (11 Occurrences) Resources Who was the first Jew? | GotQuestions.orgWas Jesus a Jew? | GotQuestions.org Why did Paul say the gospel brings salvation to the Jew first and then the Gentile? | GotQuestions.org Jew: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Jew (34 Occurrences)John 3:25 John 4:9 John 18:35 Acts 6:5 Acts 10:28 Acts 13:6 Acts 18:2 Acts 18:24 Acts 19:14 Acts 19:34 Acts 21:39 Acts 22:3 Romans 1:16 Romans 2:9 Romans 2:10 Romans 2:17 Romans 2:28 Romans 2:29 Romans 3:1 Romans 10:12 1 Corinthians 9:20 Galatians 2:14 Galatians 3:28 Colossians 3:11 Esther 2:5 Esther 3:4 Esther 5:13 Esther 6:10 Esther 8:7 Esther 9:29 Esther 9:31 Esther 10:3 Jeremiah 34:9 Zechariah 8:23 Subtopics Related Terms |
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