179
See also: God’s covenant with Israel 168–75 ■ Faith and the state 189
■ The origins of modern political Zionism 196–97 Israelites and Jews
Abraham’s son Isaac fathered
two sons, Esau and Jacob;
the Bible relates that God
changed Jacob’s name
to Israel. The families of
Jacob’s 12 sons grew into the
12 tribes of Israel (Israelites),
occupying an area roughly
equivalent to the modern
territory of Israel. In the late
10th century BCE, the Israelites
were divided into two
kingdoms—the southern
tribes formed the Kingdom
of Judah, while the northern
tribes formed the Kingdom
of Israel. These two kingdoms
were subsequently conquered
and broken up—Israel by the
Assyrians in 722 BCE, and
Judah by the Babylonians in(^586) BCE. However, the people
of Judah endured as a distinct
group with a distinct religion.
From this point, they were
called “Jews” and their religion
“Judaism”, although they still
thought of themselves as
Israelites. Modern citizens
of Israel are called Israelis.
would characterize the Messianic
Era, but most agreed that it would
be a period of brotherhood and
glory on earth, when delicacies and
miracles would be commonplace,
swords would be beaten into
plowshares, and the wolf would
live with the lamb.
Some traditions speculated that
the Messiah would be an earthly
ruler (with a close connection to
God), others that he would be a
heavenly figure appointed in a time
before creation itself. Similarly, a
number of traditions envisioned
the Messianic Era to be part of the
normal course of history, while for
others it was a miraculous time when
God’s spirit would reign on earth.
A Messiah from David’s line
One of the first kings of the united
monarchy of Israel and Judah
was a man named David, who
reigned from around 1005 to
965 BCE. According to the Bible,
David was instrumental in uniting
the people of Israel and defending
them against the Philistines.
The Bible relates that God loved
David, referring to him as his son,
and established an agreement,
or covenant, with him, promising
that his descendants would rule
over Israel forever.
However, the Babylonians
conquered Judah in 586 BCE,
exiling most of its inhabitants
and destroying the temple, and ❯❯
JUDAISM
The Messianic Era
They will beat their
swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning
hooks. Nation will not take
up sword against nation,
nor will they train for
war anymore.
Isaiah 2:4
Perfect harmony
and abundance
in nature.
No sin or
evil; all Israel
will obey the
commandments.
All Jews return
from exile
to Israel.
Universal
acceptance of
the Jewish God.
Peace among
all nations.
Reinstatement
of the Temple.