Greek · G2474

Ἰσραήλ

Israel (i.e. Jisrael), the adopted name of Jacob, including his descendants (literally or figuratively)

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Ἰσραήλ G2474
Pronunciation Israḗl

What does Ἰσραήλ (Israḗl) mean in the Bible?

Israel names Israel, the people descended from Jacob and the covenant people within God's redemptive history. In the New Testament, the word appears in praise, promise, proclamation, warning, and theological argument.

Reader summary

Full entry for Ἰσραήλ (G2474) · Open the biblical lexicon

Questions this entry answers

What does Ἰσραήλ (Israḗl) mean in the Bible?

Israel names Israel, the people descended from Jacob and the covenant people within God's redemptive history. In the New Testament, the word appears in praise, promise, proclamation, warning, and theological argument.

How does the BSB render G2474?

The BSB source-word alignment has 68 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include of Israel (30), Israel (23), Israelites (6), to Israel (5), {did} Israel (1).

Where does Ἰσραήλ (Israḗl) appear in Scripture?

The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Matthew 2:6. Its strongest book concentrations include Acts (15), Luke (12), Matthew (12), Romans (11).

What This Word Actually Means

Israel names Israel, the people descended from Jacob and the covenant people within God's redemptive history. In the New Testament, the word appears in praise, promise, proclamation, warning, and theological argument. Simeon speaks of glory for God's people Israel. Nathanael confesses Jesus as King of Israel. Peter proclaims that all Israel must know God has made the crucified Jesus both Lord and Christ.

Paul says God brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, and later wrestles with Israel's identity, unbelief, promise, and future mercy. The word must therefore be handled with canonical care: it is neither a mere ethnic label nor a blank symbol detached from covenant history, Christ, and God's faithfulness.

Sources