When reading Scripture, have you ever been confused by these three terms: Hebrews, Israelites, and Jews? Sometimes, it may seem like these are three different, but related, people groups. But in reality, they are the same people, just referenced at different times in history. Let’s spend just a few minutes unpacking these three terms so you can be equipped to use them biblically and you won’t be confused anymore when you come across them in the Bible.
Let’s start at the beginning. The first term of the three that you encounter is “Hebrew.” This is in the context of the battles around Sodom and Gomorrah:
Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, for he dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamre the Amorite.
Genesis 14:13
That is the first time the word Hebrew appears in the Bible. The term “Hebrew” likely comes from a word that means “to cross over” or “to pass through,” and that fits Abraham’s life perfectly. He left his homeland, crossed over into a new land, and began walking with the one true God. At first, this term was not mainly about nationality. It described a man who had left the old life behind and was now living by faith. But over time, the meaning developed, and the word “Hebrew” came to refer to Abraham’s descendants—those who later came from Isaac and Jacob. It became both a description of origin and eventually an ethnic identity.
Then the story moves forward, and a new name takes center stage: Israelites. This name comes from Jacob, Abraham’s grandson. In Genesis 32, after wrestling with God, the angel says to Jacob:
Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.
Genesis 32:28
From that point forward, Jacob’s (or Israel’s) descendants are called the children of Israel or the Israelites. This term emphasizes something different than geographical origin. While “Hebrew” points back to Abraham, “Israelite” points back to Jacob. Abraham was this people group’s origin story, but Israel becomes their identity as a nation. These are the people organized into twelve tribes, brought out of Egypt, led through the wilderness, and gathered at Mount Sinai to receive the Law. When you read the Old Testament, especially from Exodus through the historical books, this is the name you will see most often: the children of Israel.
But their story does not stop there. As you continue through the Old Testament, a major shift takes place. After the reign of Solomon, the kingdom divides. The northern kingdom keeps the name Israel, while the southern kingdom becomes known as Judah. Over time, the northern kingdom is perpetually led by evil leaders and is conquered by Assyria and scattered among the nations. Not long after, the southern kingdom of Judah is taken into Babylonian captivity, which is the narrative that most of the rest of Old Testament history follows. It is in this context (Babylonian destruction, exile, and survival) that another term rises to prominence for the people of God from Judah: Jews.
Originally, the term “Jew” referred specifically to those from the tribe or region of Judah. But after the exile, the northern tribes have largely disappeared or have been scattered, and the people who return and preserve the covenant identity are primarily connected to Judah. Because of that, the term “Jew” becomes the main way of identifying the people as a whole. By the time you reach the New Testament, this is the word that is most commonly used.
So when you read the Bible and see the terms Hebrew, Israelite, and Jew, you are not looking at three different peoples. You are looking at one people at different stages of their history. “Hebrew” emphasizes their origin and the calling of Abraham. “Israelite” emphasizes their identity as a nation formed through Jacob. And “Jew” reflects their later history, especially after the exile, as the people who preserved their identity and returned to the land.
All of this ultimately points forward to Jesus. He is the fulfillment of the promises made to Abraham. He is the true and faithful Israelite who did what the nation failed to do. And He is the promised King who comes from the tribe of Judah. Sure, it’s helpful in your Bible study to learn vocabulary. But when you are able to see these words as the way God was shaping the world and preparing all people (not just those from Abraham) for the Savior, it takes on a new light. The history of Scripture is unified and it all leads to Christ.