The Israelites were descendants of Abraham, whose Semitic ancestors lived in the Fertile Crescent and who lived most of his life in the Middle Eastern country of Israel (Canaan) 3800 years ago.
Abraham is called a Hebrew (Genesis ch.14) because "Hebrews" (Ivrim) means descendants of Eber (Ever). Ever was a Western Semite and an ancestor of Abraham (Genesis ch.10-11), and the early Hebrews were Abraham's uncles and cousins for several generations back. They lived in the Fertile Crescent, in northern Mesopotamia, west of the Euphrates river. Abraham was born in the city of Ur (in Mesopotamia; now Iraq).In 1934-39, excavations were conducted at ancient Mari on the Euphrates River. They found that ancient towns were named after the ancestors (Genesis ch.11) of Abraham:
The "city of Nahor" was found near the city of Haran which exists to this day. Equally clear signs of early Hebrew residence appear in the names of other towns nearby: Serug (Assyrian Sarugi), Terah (Til Turakhi, "Mound of Terah"), and Peleg (Paliga, on the Euphrates near the mouth of the Habur). All these names are found in Genesis ch.11.
In Ur, Abraham first repudiated idolatry. He then sojourned in Harran (Syria) for several years, and then lived most of his life in Canaan (Israel). It was in Canaan that Abraham lived most of his life, made a covenant with God (Genesis ch.15), and raised a family to be the center of carrying on his traditions (Genesis 18:19).
Abraham's chosen son was Isaac (Genesis ch.21). Isaac's son Jacob was blessed by God, who renamed him, calling him Israel (Genesis ch.35), which is why Jews are also called Israelites.
Abraham's family carried on his teachings voluntarily. Judaism as a binding, permanent entity, was set forth between God and the Israelite nation descended from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob at Mount Sinai in the time of Moses (Exodus ch.19, ch.24, and 34:27).All of the above places are in the ancient Fertile Crescent.
Jacob had 12 sons, who fathered the 12 Israelite tribes. The Israelites worshiped One God.
One thousand years after Jacob, ten of the tribes were exiled by the Assyrians, to points unknown. The only complete tribes left were Judah and Benjamin; plus part of Levi. The few thousands who remained from the other tribes joined the Tribe of Judah; and modern Jews are mostly descendants of Judah (hence the word "Jew").
This tradition has been substantiated by DNA analysis of Jewish communities all over the world, showing them to be inter-related and of Middle Eastern origin. The Cohanim, a family of the tribe of Levi, also share common genetics.
We possess the names and dates of our ancestors and leaders in an unbroken chain for 3800 years.
In 2000, Nicholas Wade concluded that his DNA study "provided genetic witness that Jewish communities have, to a remarkable extent, retained their biological identity separate from their host populations, evidence of relatively little intermarriage or conversion into Judaism over the centuries. The results accord with Jewish history and tradition."
Abraham was a historical person, as recorded in the Book of Genesis; and his gravesite is known to this day, in the Machpelah at Hebron, Israel. He is revered by Jews, Christians, and Muslims, comprising over three billion people. The Jewish people have attested to his existence for 3800 years, and his name is mentioned by several ancient non-Jewish historians as far back as 2,300 years ago.
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One answer
Hebrew Scripture provides the promise to Abram (Genesis, ch. 15) with the narrative of 'the covenant between the parts.' After setting them down as commanded, Abram falls asleep in an array of cut-up animals. In his sleep God promises that Abram's descendants will be enslaved; released; and shall later possess Canaan from the river of Egypt to the Euphrates; the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites" (Gen. 15: 18-21). Biblical Archaeology shows that the Canaanites were a territorial possession of Egypt from the 16th to 12th centuries BCE. The peoples that first inhabited the land probably were the above mentioned ethnic groups (tribes).
Another answer
Most historians now believe the Israelites were actually rural Canaanites who left the region of the rich coastal cities to settle peacefully in the hitherto sparsely populated hinterland. They point out that there was no invasion and conquest of the Canaanite cities, as portrayed in The Bible.
The Israelites were an offshoot of the coastal Canaanites, so they first lived in Canaan, gradually settling in what would become the kingdoms of Israel and Judah.
Most historians now believe the Israelites were actually rural Canaanites who left the region of the rich coastal cities to settle peacefully in the hitherto sparsely populated hinterland. They point out that there was no invasion and conquest of the Canaanite cities, as portrayed in the Bible.
The Israelites were an offshoot of the coastal Canaanites, so they first lived in Canaan, gradually settling in what would become the kingdoms of Israel and Judah.
Canaan, Israel, and Palestine have all been used
Canaan.
Exo 6:4 I also made my covenant with them, promising to give them the land of Canaan, the land in which they had lived as foreigners.
Canaan, and then Yisroel after the people who inhabited it.
Goshen (Genesis 47:5-6).
CANAAN
AnswerAccording to the Bible, the Israelites were given manna and quail.
Pharaoh.
Palestine
Pharaoh
A Pharaoh (Fair- Row)
Jericho
These are the Ten Lost Tribes.
The bible calls him as plain Pharaoh, no name is given.
Israelites. Jacob was also called Israel (Genesis ch.35).See also:Hebrews, Israelites, Jews
First the Canaanites, then the Israelites.
the unfenced grazing land of the west was given the name called the open range.
Today it is common name but it was a Egyptian word given by the daughter of the Pharaoh who found him in the water.