Israel: The name conferred on Jacob after the great prayer-struggle at Peniel
(Genesis 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"
(Joshua 3:17; 7:25; Judges 8:27; Jeremiah 3:21) and the "house of Israel"
(Exodus 16:31; 40:38) This name Israel is sometimes used emphatically
for the true Israel
(Psalms 73:1; Isaiah 45:17; 49:3; John 1:47; Romans 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 Samuel 2:9,10,17,28; 3:10,17)
(2 Samuel 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.
