Jew: The name derived from the patriarch Judah, at first given to one
belonging to the tribe of Judah or to the separate kingdom of Judah
(2 Kings 16:6; 25:25; Jeremiah 32:12; 38:19; 40:11; 41:3) in contradistinction from
those belonging to the kingdom of the ten tribes, who were called
Israelites. During the Captivity, and after the Restoration, the
name, however, was extended to all the Hebrew nation without
distinction
(Esther 3:6,10; Daniel 3:8,12; Ezra 4:12; 5:1,5) Originally this
people were called Hebrews
(Genesis 39:14; 40:15; Exodus 2:7; 3:18; 5:3; 1 Samuel 4:6,9)
etc., but after the Exile this name fell into disuse. But Paul was
styled a Hebrew
(2 Corinthians 11:22; Philippians 3:5) The history of the Jewish nation
is interwoven with the history of Palestine and with the narratives
of the lives of their rulers and chief men. They are now dispersed
over all lands, and to this day remain a separate people, "without a
king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an
image [R.V. 'pillar,' marg. 'obelisk'], and without an ephod, and
without teraphim"
(Hosea 3:4) Till about the beginning of the present
century they were everywhere greatly oppressed, and often cruelly
persecuted; but their condition greatly improved, and they were
admitted in most European countries to all the rights of free
citizens. In 1860 the "Jewish disabilities" were removed, and they
were admitted to a seat in the British Parliament. Their number in
all is estimated at about six millions, about four millions being in
Europe. The 20th century brought a renewed persecution far worst than
any which had come before
There are three names used in the New Testament to designate
this people,
1. Jews, as regards their nationality, to distinguish them from
Gentiles.
2. Hebrews, with regard to their language and education, to
distinguish them from Hellenists, i.e., Jews who spoke the Greek
language.
3. Israelites, as respects their sacred privileges as the chosen
people of God. "To other races we owe the splendid inheritance
of modern civilization and secular culture; but the religious
education of mankind has been the gift of the Jew alone."
