# Israel, Israelites, nation of Israel

## Facts

Israel was the name God gave to Jacob. Israel means, "He struggles with God."

* Jacob's descendants became known as the people of Israel, the nation of Israel, or the Israelites.
* God formed his covenant with the people of Israel. They were his chosen people.
* Israel was the name of their nation.
* The Nation of Israel was made up of twelve tribes.
* Some time after King Solomon died, the nation was divided into two kingdoms: the southern kingdom, called Judah and the northern kingdom, called Israel.