(the prince that prevails with God ). - The name given, ( Genesis 32:28 ) to Jacob after his wrestling with the angel, ( Hosea 12:4 ) at Peniel. Gesenius interprets Israel "soldier of God."
- It became the national name of the twelve tribes collectively. They are so called in ( Exodus 3:16 ) and afterward.
- It is used in a narrower sense, excluding Judah, in ( 1 Samuel 11:8 ; 2 Samuel 20:1 ; 1 Kings 12:16 ) Thenceforth it was assumed and accepted as the name of the northern kingdom.
- After the Babylonian captivity, the returned exiles resumed the name Israel as the designation of their nation. The name Israel is also used to denote lay-men, as distinguished from priests, Levites and other ministers. ( Ezra 6:16 ; 9:1 ; 10:25 ; Nehemiah 11:3 ) etc.
|
|
|