Original Word: יִשְׂרָאֵל
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Yisra'el
Pronunciation: yis-rah-EL
Phonetic Spelling: (yis-raw-ale')
NASB: Israel
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) corresponding to H3478 (יִשׂרָאֵל - Israel)]

1. Israel

Israel

(Aramaic) corresponding to Yisra'el -- Israel.

see HEBREW Yisra'el

Word Origin
(Aramaic) corresponding to Yisrael
Definition
desc. of Jacob
NASB Translation
Israel (8).

Identity and Covenant Standing

Israel designates the covenant people descended from Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel after his encounter with God (Genesis 32:28). From that moment the term embraces both national and spiritual dimensions: a chosen nation (Exodus 19:5-6) and a gathered assembly for worship (Deuteronomy 6:4-5). Even after exile, Scripture continues to regard the restored community as “all Israel,” underscoring unbroken covenant continuity.

Usage in Ezra

The eight uses of יִשְׂרָאֵל in Ezra cluster around the second–temple restoration:

• Authoritative Identity: “We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth” (Ezra 5:11), testifying that the builders belong to Israel’s historic calling.
• Prophetic Oversight: Haggai and Zechariah minister “in the name of the God of Israel” (Ezra 5:1; 6:14), linking the prophetic word to Israel’s God.
• Communal Celebration: “Then the Israelites, the priests, the Levites, and the rest of the exiles celebrated” (Ezra 6:16) shows a reunited worshiping body.
• Representative Sacrifice: Twelve male goats are offered “for all Israel… according to the number of the tribes of Israel” (Ezra 6:17), affirming the intact twelve-tribe concept.
• Royal Permission: Artaxerxes’ decree allows “any of the Israelites in my kingdom… to go up to Jerusalem” (Ezra 7:13), recognizing Israel’s distinct identity within the Persian Empire.
• Divine Residence: The silver and gold are presented to “the God of Israel, whose dwelling is in Jerusalem” (Ezra 7:15), stressing the locus of covenant worship.

Historical Context

These references belong to the mid-fifth century B.C. The exiles have returned under Cyrus, faced opposition, yet complete the temple in 516 B.C. The term Israel in Ezra functions to:

1. Re-anchor the community to its patriarchal roots despite dispersion.
2. Legitimize temple rebuilding as obedience to the God of Israel, not merely Persian policy.
3. Reinforce tribal solidarity by sacrificial symbolism (twelve goats).
4. Preserve genealogical purity for priestly service (Ezra 2; 7).

Theological Significance

1. Covenant Fidelity: God remains “the God of Israel” even in foreign rule, displaying steadfast love (ḥesed) to His elect people.
2. Holiness and Worship: Israel’s identity centers on the sanctuary; proper worship defines the nation more than geographic boundaries.
3. Prophetic Continuity: Haggai and Zechariah speak God’s present word while recalling prior promises to Israel, showing Scripture’s unified testimony.
4. Corporate Solidarity: Sin offerings “for all Israel” highlight shared responsibility and collective atonement anticipating the ultimate, once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10).

Prophetic and Eschatological Dimensions

Post-exilic Israel functions as a down payment on larger restoration oracles (Isaiah 11; Ezekiel 37). The re-gathered remnant, though small, signals that God will yet fulfill every promise to “the house of Israel and the house of Judah” (Jeremiah 31:31). The preserved tribal count in Ezra 6:17 keeps open the expectation of a future, complete restoration under Messiah.

New Testament Connection

Jesus, born “King of the Jews” (Matthew 2:2), embodies the ideal Israel—God’s true Son (Hosea 11:1; Matthew 2:15). Yet ethnic Israel retains prophetic significance (Romans 11:1-2, 25-29). The church, grafted into Israel’s promises (Ephesians 2:12-13), partakes in covenant blessings without nullifying God’s future plans for national Israel.

Ministry Applications

• Restoration Hope: God revives His people after judgment; modern believers can trust Him for renewal.
• Corporate Worship: Unity in worship—priests, Levites, laity—remains central to communal identity.
• Faithful Witness: Like Ezra’s generation, Christians endure opposition yet continue building the spiritual house (1 Peter 2:5).
• Covenant Faithfulness: The God of Israel keeps His word; His unchanging character anchors evangelism, discipleship, and global mission.

Summary

יִשְׂרָאֵל in Ezra testifies to an unbroken redemptive story: the same God, the same covenant people, preserved through exile, restored to worship, and positioned for the unfolding of messianic hope.

יִ֠שְׂרָאֵל יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ ישראל ישראל׃ לְיִשְׂרָאֵל֙ לישראל lə·yiś·rā·’êl ləyiśrā’êl leYisraEl yiś·rā·’êl yiśrā’êl YisraElInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts