# Israel, Israelites, nation of Israel # ## Facts: ## The term "Israel" is the name that God gave to Jacob. It means "he struggles with God." * The descendants of Jacob became known as the "people of Israel" or the "nation of Israel" or the "Israelites." * God formed his covenant with the people of Israel. They were his chosen people. * The nation of Israel was made up of twelve tribes. * Soon after King Solomon died, Israel was divided into two kingdoms: the southern kingdom, called "Judah," and the northern kingdom, called "Israel." * Often the term "Israel" can be translated as "the people of Israel" or "the nation of Israel," depending on the context. (See also: [Jacob](../other/jacob.md), [kingdom of Israel](../other/kingdomofisrael.md), [Judah](../other/kingdomofjudah.md), [nation](../other/nation.md), [twelve tribes of Israel](../other/12tribesofisrael.md)) ## Bible References: ## * [1 Chronicles 10:1-3](en/tn/1ch/help/10/01) * [1 Kings 08:1-2](en/tn/1ki/help/08/01) * [Acts 02:34-36](en/tn/act/help/02/34) * [Acts 07:22-25](en/tn/act/help/07/22) * [Acts 13:23-25](en/tn/act/help/13/23) * [John 01:49-51](en/tn/jhn/help/01/49) * [Luke 24:21](en/tn/luk/help/24/21) * [Mark 12:28-31](en/tn/mrk/help/12/28) * [Matthew 02:4-6](en/tn/mat/help/02/04) * [Matthew 27:9-10](en/tn/mat/help/27/09) * [Philippians 03:4-5](en/tn/php/help/03/04) ## Examples from the Bible stories: ## __*[08:15](en/tn/obs/help/08/15)__ The descendants of the twelve sons became the twelve tribes of __Israel__. __*[09:03](en/tn/obs/help/09/03)__ The Egyptians forced the __Israelites__ to build many buildings and even whole cities. __*[09:05](en/tn/obs/help/09/05)__ A certain __Israelite__ woman gave birth to a baby boy. __*[10:01](en/tn/obs/help/10/01)__ They said, "This is what the God of __Israel__ says, 'Let my people go!'" __*[14:12](en/tn/obs/help/14/12)__ But despite all this, the people of __Israel __ complained and grumbled against God and against Moses. __*[15:09](en/tn/obs/help/15/09)__ God fought for __Israel__ that day. He caused the Amorites to be confused and he sent large hailstones that killed many of the Amorites. __*[15:12](en/tn/obs/help/15/12)__ After this battle, God gave each tribe of __Israel __ its own section of the Promised Land. Then God gave __Israel__ peace along all its borders. __*[16:16](en/tn/obs/help/16/16)__ So God punished __Israel __ again for worshiping idols. __*[43:06](en/tn/obs/help/43/06)__ "Men of __Israel__, Jesus was a man who did many mighty signs and wonders by the power of God, as you have seen and already know."