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Israel
In the Old Testament, God made a covenant with Abraham. This covenant was also given to Abraham’s descendants. Abraham had a son named Isaac. Isaac had a son named Jacob. God changed Jacob’s name to Israel. The descendants of Jacob became the nation of Israel. They lived in the land that God promised to give to Abraham. They also inherited the promises God gave to Abraham.
Twelve tribes made the nation of Israel. These 12 tribes were named after 12 sons of Jacob. The descendants of each son was a tribe. Before and during King Solomon’s rule over Israel, these tribes were united into one kingdom called Israel. After Solomon died, the tribes divided into two kingdoms. There was a kingdom in the southern part of the land. This kingdom was often called Judah. Jerusalem was its capital. The tribes of Judah and Benjamin were in the southern kingdom. There was also a kingdom in the northern part of the land. This kingdom was often called Israel. Its capital was the city of Samaria. The other ten tribes were in the northern kingdom.
The northern kingdom of Israel was destroyed by the Assyrians. The Assyrians took the people of Israel to other nations. Later, the Babylonians destroyed the southern kingdom of Judah.
The Babylonians took the southern kingdom of Judah into exile. About 70 years later, the people of Judah returned to their homeland. By the time of the New Testament, the land was called Judea. The people were called Jews.
See: Covenant; Canaan (Promised Land); Tribes of Israel; Inherit (Inheritance, Heir); Israel (Northern Kingdom); Samaria (Samaritan); Judah (Southern Kingdom); Exile
How the word “Israel” is used in the commentary
The writers of the commentary use the words “Israel” and “Judea” and “Judah” in the same way in the New Testament. These words are used to write about the entire Jewish nation. The people are called “Jews.” The Jews were descendants only of Jacob’s son Judah. However, they were still called Israel when the New Testament was written.
If the writers are talking about something that happened in the Old Testament, they will use the word "Israel" to write about all 12 tribes. Or they will use “northern kingdom of Israel” or "southern kingdom of Judah” if they are talking about a specific kingdom.