People of the Bible · Genealogy of Jesus

Israel, son of Isaac

The name Israel means “who prevails with God.” Israel is mentioned in 1,009 verses of the Bible, first in Genesis 25:26. Also called Israel.

Family of Israel

Father

Mother

Spouse

Siblings

Children

Who was Israel?

The name conferred on Jacob after the great prayer-struggle at Peniel (Gen. 32:28), because “as a prince he had power with God and prevailed.” (See JACOB.) This is the common name given to Jacob’s descendants. The whole people of the twelve tribes are called “Israelites,” the “children of Israel” (Josh. 3:17; 7:25; Judg. 8:27; Jer. 3:21), and the “house of Israel” (Ex. 16:31; 40:38).

This name Israel is sometimes used emphatically for the true Israel (Ps. 73:1: Isa. 45:17; 49:3; John 1:47; Rom. 9:6; 11:26).

After the death of Saul the ten tribes arrogated to themselves this name, as if they were the whole nation (2 Sam. 2:9, 10, 17, 28; 3:10, 17; 19:40-43), and the kings of the ten tribes were called “kings of Israel,” while the kings of the two tribes were called “kings of Judah.”

After the Exile the name Israel was assumed as designating the entire nation.

Biography adapted from Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897), public domain, linked via Theographic Bible Metadata.

Key verses about Israel

  • Genesis 25:26

    And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau’s heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them.

  • Genesis 35:4

    And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand, and all their earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem.

  • Exodus 3:14

    And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

  • Leviticus 11:2

    Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, These are the beasts which ye shall eat among all the beasts that are on the earth.

  • Isaiah 43:1

    But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

  • Malachi 3:6

    For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

Timeline of Israel's life

DateEvent
1835 BCBirth of Jacob and Esau
1835 BCLifetime of Jacob
1757 BCBirth of Reuben
1756 BCBirth of Simeon
1755 BCBirth of Levi
1754 BCBirth of Judah
1754 BCBirth of Dan
1753 BCBirth of Naphtali
1752 BCBirth of Gad
1751 BCBirth of Asher
1751 BCBirth of Issachar
1750 BCBirth of Zebulon
1749 BCBirth of Dinah
1744 BCBirth of Joseph
1738 BCRachel dies giving birth to Benjamin
1727 BCJoseph sold to Egypt
1717 BCJoseph imprisoned
1707 BC7 years of famine
1705 BCJoseph's brothers return to Egypt
1688 BCDeath of Jacob
All 1,009 verses mentioning Israel (first 400)