Israelite

An Israelite is a person historically identified with the ancient inhabitants of the land of Israel or with the descendants of the patriarch Jacob, who is named Israel in the Hebrew Bible. In biblical usage, Israelites are associated with the twelve tribes and the communities that formed the ancient kingdoms of Israel and Judah.

Etymology and origins: The name Israel derives from the patriarch Jacob, whose name is changed to Israel in Genesis. The term Israelite is used in the Hebrew Bible to designate the people who belong to the covenant community and, after the settlement in Canaan, to the broader population of the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. Following conquest and exile, references shift but the designation persists in historical and scholarly contexts.

Culture and religion: Israelites shared religious traditions centered on monotheism, covenantal law, and worship in the Temple in Jerusalem. The language was primarily biblical Hebrew, with Aramaic used later; material culture is studied through archaeology and inscriptions.

Modern usage: In scholarship, "Israelite" describes ancient populations; in contemporary life, "Israeli" refers to citizens of the State of Israel, and "Jew" refers to adherents of Judaism or those tracing descent from the biblical Israelites. The term "Israelite" is largely historical and academic rather than a self-identifier in modern times.