Who are the Jews in the Bible?

The question of who the Jews are in the Bible is a profound one, deeply rooted in the narrative of the Old Testament, particularly the book of Genesis. To understand the origins and identity of the Jews, we must delve into the story of the patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—and the covenantal relationship established between God and these forefathers of the Jewish people.

The term "Jew" itself is derived from the name Judah, one of the twelve sons of Jacob. However, the identity of the Jewish people begins earlier, with Abraham, who is considered the father of the Jewish nation. In Genesis 12:1-3, God calls Abram (later renamed Abraham) to leave his country and promises to make him a great nation:

"The Lord had said to Abram, 'Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. 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. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.'" (Genesis 12:1-3, NIV)

This passage marks the beginning of the Jewish people, as Abraham's descendants are the ones through whom God's promises would be fulfilled. Abraham's obedience to God's call and his faith in God's promises are foundational to the identity of the Jewish people.

Abraham's son Isaac and his grandson Jacob (later renamed Israel) continue this lineage. Jacob's twelve sons become the progenitors of the twelve tribes of Israel. The narrative of Genesis 29-30 details the births of these sons, who form the foundation of the nation of Israel. Among these sons is Judah, whose descendants would become known as Jews.

The name "Israel" itself comes from Jacob, who was given this name after wrestling with God in Genesis 32:28:

"Then the man said, 'Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.'" (Genesis 32:28, NIV)

Thus, the people who are descended from Jacob are called Israelites. The term "Jew" specifically refers to the descendants of Judah, but over time it has come to be used more broadly to refer to all Israelites, especially after the Babylonian exile when the identity of the tribes became less distinct.

The story of the Jews in the Bible is not just about lineage; it is also about the covenantal relationship with God. This covenant is reiterated and expanded in various passages. For example, in Genesis 17:7-8, God promises Abraham:

"I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. The whole land of Canaan, where you now reside as a foreigner, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God." (Genesis 17:7-8, NIV)

This covenant is central to the identity of the Jewish people. It signifies a special relationship with God, marked by promises of land, nationhood, and blessing. The sign of this covenant is circumcision, as described in Genesis 17:10-14, which becomes a distinguishing mark of the Jewish people.

The narrative of the Jews continues through the stories of the patriarchs, the exodus from Egypt, and the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. In Exodus 19:5-6, God speaks to the Israelites through Moses:

"Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." (Exodus 19:5-6, NIV)

This passage highlights the calling of the Jewish people to be a holy nation, set apart for God's purposes. The giving of the Law, or Torah, provides the guidelines for how the Jews are to live in relationship with God and with one another. The Torah is central to Jewish identity and practice, shaping their communal and religious life.

Throughout the Old Testament, the Jews are depicted as God's chosen people, yet their story is also one of struggle, faithfulness, and failure. The historical books, prophets, and writings of the Old Testament recount the challenges the Jews faced, their periods of faithfulness and apostasy, and the prophetic calls to return to their covenantal relationship with God.

The exile and subsequent return to the land of Israel are significant events in Jewish history. The Babylonian exile in the 6th century BCE was a turning point, as many Jews were taken captive and the temple in Jerusalem was destroyed. The return from exile and the rebuilding of the temple, as described in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, mark a period of renewal and reestablishment of Jewish identity.

In summary, the Jews in the Bible are the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, particularly through Jacob's son Judah. Their identity is shaped by their covenantal relationship with God, their lineage, and their adherence to the Torah. This identity is not just ethnic but also religious and communal, rooted in the promises and calling of God. The story of the Jews is one of faith, struggle, and the enduring promise of God's faithfulness.

The New Testament continues this narrative, with the coming of Jesus Christ, who is himself a Jew from the tribe of Judah. Jesus' life, death, and resurrection fulfill many of the Old Testament prophecies and promises, and his followers, both Jews and Gentiles, are grafted into the spiritual lineage of Abraham, as Paul explains in Romans 11. Thus, the identity of the Jews in the Bible is foundational not only to the Old Testament but also to the unfolding story of God's redemptive plan for all humanity.