'Israel' definitions:
Definition of 'Israel'
(from WordNet)
noun
Jewish republic in southwestern Asia at eastern end of Mediterranean; formerly part of Palestine [syn: Israel, State of Israel, Yisrael, Zion, Sion]
noun
An ancient kingdom of the Hebrew tribes at the southeastern end of the Mediterranean Sea; founded by Saul around 1025 BC and destroyed by the Assyrians in 721 BC
Definition of 'Israel'
From: GCIDE
- Jacob \Ja"cob\, n. [Cf. F. Jacob. See 2d Jack.] A Hebrew patriarch (son of Isaac, and ancestor of the Jews), who in a vision saw a ladder reaching up to heaven (--Gen. xxviii. 12); -- also called Israel. [1913 Webster]
- And Jacob said . . . with my staff I passed over this Jordan, and now I am become two bands. --Gen. xxxii.
- 9, 10. [1913 Webster]
- Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel. --Gen. xxxii. 28. [1913 Webster]
- Jacob's ladder. (a) (Bot.) A perennial herb of the genus Polemonium ({Polemonium c[oe]ruleum), having corymbs of drooping flowers, usually blue. Gray}. (b) (Naut.) A rope ladder, with wooden steps, for going aloft. --R. H. Dana, Jr. (c) (Naut.) A succession of short cracks in a defective spar.
- Jacob's membrane. See Retina.
- Jacob's staff. (a) A name given to many forms of staff or weapon, especially in the Middle Ages; a pilgrim's staff. [Obs.] --Spenser. (b) (Surveying) See under Staff. [1913 Webster]
Definition of 'israel'
From: Easton
- Israel the name conferred on Jacob after the great prayer-struggle at Peniel (Gen. 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" (Josh. 3:17; 7:25; Judg. 8:27; Jer. 3:21), and the "house of Israel" (Ex. 16:31; 40:38).
- This name Israel is sometimes used emphatically for the true Israel (Ps. 73:1: Isa. 45:17; 49:3; John 1:47; Rom. 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 Sam. 2:9, 10, 17, 28; 3:10, 17; 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.
Definition of 'israel'
From: Hitchcock
- Israel, who prevails with God