Jew, Jewess, Jewish
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Jew, Jewess, Jewish in the Bible?
The term Jew, derived from the Hebrew Yehudi, originally designated a resident of the Kingdom of Judah before evolving to identify members of the Israelite people who adhered to Judaism, including descendants of the patriarch Jacob and their religious community.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the evolution of this term clarifies the distinction between tribal identity and religious adherence in biblical narratives, enabling readers to accurately distinguish between the political entity of Judah and the broader covenantal community of Israel throughout the Old and New Testaments.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
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Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.