Jews/Jewish
References:
1) Vines Expository Dictionary of Biblical words
2) Companion Bible
3) Strong’s Concordance
Today we have many people and organizations which have varying definitions of terms and opinions on the subject of Jew,
and even equating them as the only semites.
From (1) above, we have the following definition.
The name Jew is primarily tribal, from the name Judah. Judah was ONE of the 12 sons of Jacob. In reference (2), the book
of Genesis, we can easily find that Judah “jew” is the 14th descendant from Shem. That is Shem was his GGGGGGGGGGGGGreat
Grandfather. There were literally millions of Semite offspring by the time Judah was conceived. Among these were the Phoenicians,
Assyrians, Arameans, Babylonians, Persians, and Egyptians.
Many nations descended from Shem. Consider Abraham, Judah’s Great Grandfather, who had seven other sons than Isaac.
Among these are the Arab peoples of today. These are all ’semites’ too, as well as ‘children of Abraham'.
The name is seldom used except as a part of the name Israel. The name Jew as distinct from Israel is first found
in 2 Kings 16:6. This was because of their method of worship, or “religion”. In the present time that is also
the way someone decides whether they are “jewish”. By their “religion”. Thus the term ’jew’
is not really indicative of “race” at all.
The predominant present perception of the term is one which has led to much misconception.
One of the main examples of this which I can cite is the present interchangeability of the terms ‘jew’ and
‘semite’. That is, something that can be perceived as against the jew is termed “anti-Semetic”.
Such misinformed opinions are based on tradition and ignorance of the facts of history. In fact, today, it would be impossible
for someone to know whether they are descended for Judah, or even Shem for that matter.
In reference (1),we find that the word translated jew, jewish, jewess, Judean, is in the greek “ioudaios“.
Predominantly it is taken to mean “one of the LAND or RELIGION of the jews. In most of the new testament books it specifically
also indicates those who were in opposition to Christianity. Thus by this definition the jews were (and still are) anti-Christ,
and gives real meaning to 1 John 2:18.
So let’s find out why Jesus said in Rev 2:9 and 3:9, that some would sneak into the church, claiming to be Jews but
are actually liars and imposters. It has happened, you know with the help of ignorant pastors such as Swaggart, Robertson,
Van-Impe, and Falwell. These should know better, and I believe they do, but they are only after sensationalism and money.
Their little charade of ‘jews are God’s chosen people’ has allowed this to happen. NOWHERE in the Word does
it say that.
Lets look at the Word (ref 2)
2 Sam 24:9 And Joab gave up the sum of the number of the people unto the king: and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand
valiant men that drew the sword; and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men.
1 Chr 21:5 And Joab gave the sum of the number of the people unto David.
and all they of Israel were a thousand thousand and an hundred thousand men that drew sword: and Judah was four hundred
threescore and ten thousand men that drew sword.
Now these were taken captive from the land, and replaced with peoples from other lands by the King of Babylon. These replacement
people were called the Samaritans in the time of Christ.
However, the number that returned to Israel from Babylonian captivity:
Ezra 2:64 The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand
three hundred and threescore, (KJV)
Ezra 2:65 Beside their servants and their maids, of whom there were
seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and there were
among them two hundred singing men and singing women. (KJV)
Now we see that Israel and Judah together had more than 1,500,00 fighting men in about 1000 bc. Less than 50,000 (3%) returned
from Babylon. (500 bc) Can there be any doubt the vast majority of these crossed the Caucas mountains into western Europe?
What of all the ones of the other tribes who also forgot their heritage? Beloved, GOD is not liar. Just ask yourself "Which
are the most blessed nations on earth?"
** Abiding in those lands you will find the so-called "lost 10 tribes"!
** For more information see the post “the Marks of Israel” in the ESSAY section.
