Jump to: Smith's • ISBE • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia The term "Jewish" refers to the people, culture, and religion associated with the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, also known as the Israelites or Hebrews. The Jewish identity is deeply rooted in the covenantal relationship established between God and Abraham, as recorded in the Hebrew Scriptures, and is central to the narrative of the Bible.Origins and Covenant with Abraham The Jewish people trace their origins to Abraham, whom God called out of Ur of the Chaldeans to establish a new nation. In Genesis 12:1-3 , God promises Abraham, "I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing." This covenant is further elaborated in Genesis 17, where God establishes circumcision as a sign of the covenant and promises that Abraham will be "the father of many nations" (Genesis 17:4). The Patriarchs and the Twelve Tribes The Jewish lineage continues through Isaac, the son of promise, and Jacob, later named Israel. Jacob's twelve sons become the progenitors of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. These tribes form the foundation of the nation of Israel, each with its own distinct identity and role within the larger community. The Exodus and the Law A pivotal moment in Jewish history is the Exodus from Egypt, where God delivers the Israelites from slavery under the leadership of Moses. This event is commemorated annually in the Jewish festival of Passover. At Mount Sinai, God gives the Law, including the Ten Commandments, to Moses, establishing a theocratic society with specific religious, moral, and civil codes. As stated in Exodus 19:5-6 , God declares, "Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine. And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." The Promised Land and Monarchy The Jewish people eventually settle in the Promised Land, Canaan, under the leadership of Joshua. Over time, they establish a monarchy, with King David and his son Solomon representing the zenith of Israel's united kingdom. God's covenant with David, as recorded in 2 Samuel 7:12-16 , promises that his throne will be established forever, a prophecy Christians believe is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Exile and Return Due to disobedience and idolatry, the Jewish people experience exile, first with the Assyrian conquest of the northern kingdom of Israel and later with the Babylonian captivity of Judah. The return from exile and the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Temple under leaders like Ezra and Nehemiah mark a significant period of restoration and religious reform. Messianic Expectation Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, there is a recurring theme of a coming Messiah, a descendant of David who will restore Israel and establish God's kingdom. Prophecies such as Isaiah 9:6-7 speak of a child born to reign on David's throne, a hope that is central to Jewish eschatology and fulfilled in the New Testament through Jesus Christ, according to Christian belief. Jewish Identity in the New Testament In the New Testament, the Jewish people play a crucial role in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, who is born into a Jewish family and observes Jewish customs and laws. The early Christian church emerges from a Jewish context, with the apostles initially preaching the gospel to Jewish audiences. Romans 1:16 emphasizes this priority: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek." Modern Jewish Identity Today, Jewish identity encompasses a wide range of religious and cultural expressions, from Orthodox to Reform Judaism, and includes secular Jews who identify culturally rather than religiously. The Jewish people continue to hold a unique place in biblical prophecy and eschatology, with many Christians believing in the future restoration and salvation of Israel as part of God's redemptive plan. Smith's Bible Dictionary Jewishof or belonging to Jews; an epithet applied to their rabbinical legends. (Titus 1:14) Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (a.) of or pertaining to the Jews or Hebrews; characteristic of or resembling the Jews or their customs; Israelitish.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 2451. Ioudaikos -- Jewish ... Jewish. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: Ioudaikos Phonetic Spelling: (ee-oo-dah-ee-kos') Short Definition: Jewish, Judaic Definition: Jewish, Judaic. ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2451.htm - 6k 2453. Ioudaios -- Jewish, a Jew, Judea 5330. Pharisaios -- a Pharisee, member of a Jewish religious sect 4569. Saulos -- Saul, the Jewish name of the apostle Paul 4549. Saoul -- Saul, the first Isr. king, also the Jewish name of ... 1444. Hebraikos -- Hebrew, the Jewish language. 2208. Zelotes -- the Zealot, a member of a Jewish political party 2474. Israel -- Israel, the name of the Jewish people and their ... 4523. Saddoukaios -- a Sadducee, a member of a Jewish religious ... 4630. Skeuas -- Sceva, a Jewish chief priest Strong's Hebrew 3066. Yehudith -- Jewish... 3065, 3066. Yehudith. 3067 . Jewish. Transliteration: Yehudith Phonetic Spelling: (yeh-hoo-deeth') Short Definition: Judean. Word Origin fem. ... /hebrew/3066.htm - 6k 7627. Shebat -- eleventh month in the Jewish calendar 5212. Nisan -- first month of the Jewish religious year 435. Elul -- the sixth Jewish month 3064. Yehudi -- Jewish 388. Ethanim -- (month of) "steady flowings," the seventh month in ... 3065. Yehudi -- "Jewish," an officer of Jehoiakim 3691. Kislev -- the ninth month of the Jewish calendar 24. abib -- fresh, young ears, also Canaanite name for the first ... 1919. Hadassah -- "myrtle," Esther's Jewish name Library Sketches of Jewish Social Life On the Jewish Meats The Jewish Girl Note on the Jewish Synagogue. Jewish Homes A Little Jewish Maid. The Real Jewish Ruler. The Jewish Rebellions The Jewish Sects. The Upbringing of Jewish Children Thesaurus Jewish (49 Occurrences)... JEW, JEWESS, JEWISH. ... In Titus 1:14 a warning is given against "Jewish fables" (in Greek the adjective is found also in Galatians 2:14). ... /j/jewish.htm - 22k Begging (18 Occurrences) Beggar (5 Occurrences) Beg (77 Occurrences) Justus (3 Occurrences) Rudiments (5 Occurrences) Desolation (131 Occurrences) Gedaliah (31 Occurrences) Zenas (1 Occurrence) Coins (13 Occurrences) Resources What is the Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the structure of the Jewish calendar? | GotQuestions.org I am Jewish, can I become a Christian? | GotQuestions.org Jewish: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Jewish (49 Occurrences)Luke 7:3 Luke 23:50 Luke 23:51 John 2:6 John 2:13 John 3:1 John 6:4 John 7:2 John 11:51 John 11:55 John 18:12 John 19:21 John 19:40 John 19:42 Acts 10:2 Acts 10:22 Acts 10:45 Acts 12:11 Acts 13:5 Acts 13:6 Acts 14:1 Acts 16:1 Acts 17:1 Acts 17:10 Acts 19:13 Acts 19:14 Acts 21:28 Acts 25:2 Acts 25:8 Acts 25:24 Acts 26:3 Acts 26:17 Acts 26:23 Galatians 2:14 1 Thessalonians 2:15 Titus 1:14 Hebrews 13:10 Exodus 6:3 2 Kings 18:26 2 Kings 18:28 2 Chronicles 32:18 Ezra 6:7 Nehemiah 1:2 Nehemiah 5:1 Nehemiah 5:8 Nehemiah 13:24 Esther 6:13 Isaiah 36:13 Jeremiah 52:30 Subtopics Related Terms |