What does it truly mean to be Jew or Gentile in God’s grand design? For centuries, the relationship between these two groups has sparked theological debates, misunderstandings, and revelations. This guide dives deep into scripture, history, and spiritual truths to uncover God’s purpose for Jews and Gentiles, revealing how their unique roles come together in His divine plan. Let's go!
Jew & Gentile Background & Definitions
Jew Definition:
Yᵉhûwdîy, yeh-hoo-dee'; patronymically from H3063; a Jehudite (i.e. Judaite or Jew), or descendant of Jehudah (i.e. Judah):—Jew.
By this definition, a Jew is a descendant of the tribe of Judah. It means 'of Judean descent'.
Judah was one of the 12 tribes of Israel. After the Exodus of Egypt, King Solomen (Son of David), who ruled over the 12 tribes of Israel, started to fall away from God. As punishment, God divided the tribes of Israel into two factions - The Kingdom of Israel, consisting of 10 out of the 12 tribes. The other, The Kingdom of Judah, consisting of the remaining two tribes (Judah and Benjamin).
(Note - If you want more insight into King Solomon's fall from grace, we have a longer explanation nestled in our God's Ordained Festivals Teaching, where we also speak into the sin of Jeroboam, who is directly tied to this event).
So in summary, all those from the Kingdom of Judah (Even if you were from the tribe of Benjamin), became known as the Jews, and everyone who came from the Kingdom of Israel, became known as the Israelites. This can all be read in the book of 1 Kings.
Gentile Definition:
The word Gentile is used for two things in the Bible—a Greek-speaking person OR a non-Jew. This is because the English-translated Bibles have decided to simplify the language. We have a teaching on the dangers of English-translated Bibles here.
G1672 - Héllēn, hel'-lane; from G1671; a Hellen (Grecian) or inhabitant of Hellas; by extension a Greek-speaking person, especially a non-Jew:—Gentile, Greek.
The KJV translates Strong's G1672 (Gentile) in the following manner: Greek (20x), Gentile (7x).
There are more occasions where the English Bibles use Gentile, and it translates as 'foreigner', implying they are everything except a Jew. Gentile is mainly used in the New Testament, as it was mostly written in Greek. In the Old Testament, words like 'Pagan' and 'Nation' were used to describe the foreigners who were not part of Israel. Note - Israelites are not considered Gentiles.
What happened to these Kingdoms?
You might ask, what happened to the Kingdom of Israel when Yeshua (Jesus' real name) was on Earth? We know that it was promised that the Messiah would come from the tribe of Judah and be proclaimed king of the Jews. But what about the Kingdom of Israel? What about the other 10 tribes?
The other 10 tribes were scattered after being taken to Assyria:
2Ki 17:5 The king of Assyria invaded the entire land, marched against Samaria and laid siege to it for three years.
2Ki 17:18 So the LORD was very angry with Israel and removed them from his presence. Only the tribe of Judah was left,
2Ki 17:19 and even Judah did not keep the commands of the LORD their God. They followed the practices Israel had introduced.
This was because they had sinned extensively against God:
2Ki 17:9 The Israelites secretly did things against the LORD their God that were not right. From watchtower to fortified city they built themselves high places in all their towns.
The King of Assyria then resettled the entire Kingdom of Israel in Assyria:
2Ki 17:24 The king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Kuthah, Avva, Hamath and Sepharvaim and settled them in the towns of Samaria to replace the Israelites. They took over Samaria and lived in its towns.
As for Judah, it remained in Judea when Yeshua came. Post Yeshua, we see that Paul and Peter also heavily speak about the Kingdom of Judah, saying that they were both descendants from the Kingdom of Judah.
What are we? Jew, Gentile, or Something Else?
Let's start with what we are NOT.
We are NOT Jews who follow any sect of Judaism. Similar to Christianity, Judaism has many sects. One group only follows the Torah (The first 5 books of the Bible) and believes Christ is still coming, another only follows the Oral Law, as well as the Torah (These would be the Pharisees).
We are NOT Gentiles (but this was our starting point). We were Gentiles, because by definition, a Gentile is a 'foreigner' to the Kingdom of God (i.e. an unbeliever). Gentile is a New Testament term, if we look at the Old Testament, non-believers would be translated as 'foreign' or 'Pagan'. As a Christian, you have turned away from being a Gentile.
So what are we? - Israelites
Israel has always been God's chosen people. Before the sins of King Solomon, all 12 tribes were as one, the people of Israel. An important fact is that 'Israel' is not referring to a country. The land given to God's people was always called 'The Land of Israel', which means that it did not matter where His people were, the land was always 'The Land of Israel'.
Whoever believed in Yehovah (God's real name), was always welcome into Israel. This is shown in the Old Testament, where any foreigner who wants to be a part of Israel, is to be treated as if they were a native:
Lev 19:34 The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.
This is again shown in the New Testament, where Paul speaks about how Gentiles are 'grafted in' to Israel by God.
Rom 11:23 And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.
Rom 11:24 After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!
In summary, if you have accepted Yeshua into your heart and follow His ways, you turn from being a Gentile (i.e. a non-believer who followed other Gods or your desires) and become grafted into Israel, as if you were a native-born into God's Kingdom. Israel is God's chosen people and it is like this for all eternity.
Many people then raise the question - I thought the church replaced Israel. We will do a separate teaching on that, released one week after this teaching. It will form part of our Old vs New Covenant Series. But if you want a one-line answer now - No, the church has not replaced Israel.
With that revelation, let's define Israel below to get some more understanding.
Defining who we are - Israelites
The word Israel first comes up in Genesis, and is used when God renames Jacob to Israel:
Gen 32:28 Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.”
Checking the Hebrew Definition:
Yisrâʼêl, yis-raw-ale'; from H8280 and H410; he will rule as God; Jisraël, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity and power:—Israel.
The meaning of 'Israel' then is to be a ruler with power, with God. This was the blessing that was given to Jacob by 'changing' his name.
After Jacob died, this 'name' was passed onto the 12 tribes, and they collectively were known as Israel. This shows that Israel is a people, and not a country or land. Of course, this does not mean the country of Israel is not important, but what is important is - where God's people are, that is where Israel is. Israel as a country now contains mostly Jews. The true people of God, the true Israel, are scattered all around the world.
You are therefore made an Israelite through spirit, and not through flesh. You form part of God's chosen people.
Further Proof you Cannot be a Gentile in the Kingdom of God (Israel)
- The Heavenly Gates in Revelations
There is no 13th gate for extras to enter Heaven:
Rev 21:12 It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel.
You have to be a member of Israel to enter Heaven.
- The New Covenant with the Kingdom's:
After God broke up King Solomon's reign, the Kingdom was divided into the Kingdom of Judah and the Kingdom of Israel. Both make up Israel:
Heb 8:8 But God found fault with the people and said: “The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah.
God makes this covenant with Israel, and not for Gentiles.
- Yeshua to rule over Jacob's (Israel's) descendants forever and ever:
Luk 1:32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,
Luk 1:33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
God does not make any covenants with any nation or people outside of Israel. There is only one people under God.
Conclusion
Understanding the roles of Jew, Gentile, and Israelite unveils your place in God’s divine plan. Through scripture, we see that God’s chosen people are not defined by ethnicity but by faith and obedience.
This guide has delved into the definitions, historical context, and spiritual truths behind these identities. We explored how the scattering of Israel and Judah was a direct result of sin, yet even in their separation, God’s plan for redemption remained intact. The New Testament continues this theme, showing how Gentiles who turn to Yeshua are welcomed into the family of Israel, fulfilling God’s promise to make His Kingdom accessible to all who believe.
Furthermore, the Bible consistently emphasizes that Israel is not simply a physical nation but a spiritual identity. Being part of Israel means living under God’s rule, walking in His ways, and embracing the calling to be His people. This truth is underscored in passages such as Romans 11, where Paul speaks about the “grafting in” of Gentiles.
Understanding this shifts how we see ourselves and our purpose. As believers, we are heirs to the promises given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We are spiritual Israelites, united under God’s covenant and called to live as His representatives on earth.
So, what does this mean for you today? It means you are no longer a foreigner or outsider. You have been invited into God’s family, grafted into His Kingdom, and given the privilege of walking in His ways. The God who crafted the universe has chosen you to be part of His people—Israel.
This truth should inspire a deeper commitment to living as God’s child. Dive into His Word, honor His commandments, and reflect His love to the world around you.
You are not Jew or Gentile—you are part of Israel, God’s Kingdom, His chosen people. Embrace this identity fully and live boldly for Him.
Be Blessed! And watch out for the Israel vs the Church teaching coming up next week, which will be a spiritual part II to this teaching.
