The Chosen People — Understanding What the Bible Really Means

Many people today misunderstand the phrase “the chosen people.” Some believe it refers only to a nation, others to a group by birth. But to truly understand who God’s chosen people are, we must look deeper into Scripture — at the meaning of names, covenants, and spiritual symbolism revealed through Israel, Judah, Jerusalem, and more.

In this post, titled “The Chosen People — Understanding What the Bible Really Means,” we will explore what the Scriptures reveal about who God’s chosen people truly are — not defined by ancestry, but by faith and obedience to His Word.

The Bible often uses symbolic language — not only literal history, but spiritual truth. Just as “forty days” in Scripture represents a season of testing or preparation rather than a fixed number, the term “chosen people” points to something greater than ethnicity or geography. It points to faith, obedience, and covenant with God through Jesus Christ.

While the physical nation of Israel holds historical importance in God’s plan, Scripture makes it clear that true Israel is spiritual — those who believe in Jesus, the promised Messiah. Many in modern Israel still await His coming, but God’s Word teaches that the chosen people are those who accept Christ as Savior and walk by faith, not ancestry. The true children of Abraham are those who share Abraham’s faith (Galatians 3:7–9).

THE NAME OF JESUS (יֵשׁוּעַ - Yeshua) AND THE WORD GOD (YAHWEH)

In today’s world, many misconceptions circulate online about the name of Jesus and even the word God. Some claim that the name Jesus was changed by Emperor Constantine or that it is linked to the Greek god “Zeus.” These ideas are completely false and have no linguistic or historical foundation.

The original Hebrew name of Jesus is Yeshua (יֵשׁוּעַ), derived from Yehoshua (יְהוֹשֻׁעַ), meaning “Yahweh saves” or “Yahweh is salvation.” When the Hebrew Scriptures were translated into Greek (the Septuagint) and later into Latin and English, Yeshua became Iēsous (Greek) and then Jesus in English. The change was not an alteration of meaning but simply a natural linguistic adaptation as the Gospel spread through different languages and cultures.

The message and identity remain the same: Jesus is Yeshua — the Lord who saves. As Wesley Huff from Apologetics Canada explains in his teaching on this subject, “The name Jesus is not a pagan distortion but a faithful translation that carries the same meaning: salvation through the one true God.” The power of His name is not in pronunciation but in the person it represents — the Messiah, the Son of God, and Savior of the world.

Similarly, the word God has been questioned by some who misunderstand its origin. In the Old Testament, God’s revealed name is Yahweh (יְהוָה), derived from Yah — meaning “He is” or “the self-existent One.” This name expresses God’s eternal nature and covenant relationship with His people. The shorter form, Yah, appears in words like Hallelu-Yah — “Praise Yah!”

The English word God is a translation used to describe the one true Creator. It does not come from “Gad,” “Zeus,” or any pagan source. Throughout history, translators used the term “God” to communicate who Yahweh is — the supreme, living, personal God revealed in Scripture. What matters is not the language used but the truth of the One we worship: the Father, the Son (Jesus/Yeshua), and the Holy Spirit.

Understanding these names deepens our reverence and reminds us that our faith is rooted in truth, not tradition or rumor. The name of Jesus is the name above every name (Philippians 2:9–10), and Yahweh is the eternal “I AM” who revealed Himself to Moses and fulfilled His promise through Christ.

ISRAEL (יִשְׂרָאֵל - Yisra’el)

Hebrew Root: From “sarah” (to strive, contend, or persevere) and “El” (God).

Meaning: “He who struggles with God” or “God prevails.”

Biblical Origin: Genesis 32:28 — After Jacob wrestled with the angel of the Lord, God said, “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed.”

Theological Meaning: The name symbolizes faith, perseverance, and covenant relationship with God. Israel represents those who walk by faith and depend on the promises of God, fulfilled in Christ.

Being “Israel” means not giving up when life feels like a wrestle between flesh and spirit. The chosen people are those who, like Jacob, hold on to God until His blessing transforms them. Paul confirms this truth: “For they are not all Israel that are of Israel… it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise” (Romans 9:6–8).

JUDAH (יְהוּדָה - Yehudah)

Hebrew Root: From “yadah” (to praise or give thanks).

Meaning: “Praise” or “Let Yahweh be praised.”

Biblical Origin: Genesis 29:35 — Leah said, “Now I will praise the Lord,” and named her son Judah.

Theological Meaning: Judah represents worship and gratitude. It became the royal tribe of Israel and the lineage of the Messiah. Jesus is called the “Lion of the tribe of Judah,” symbolizing divine kingship and victory.

Those who belong to Christ are spiritual descendants of Judah — a people of praise. To be chosen is to lift our hearts in continual thanksgiving, reflecting the joy of redemption. “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation” (1 Peter 2:9).

JERUSALEM (יְרוּשָׁלַם - Yerushalayim)

Hebrew Root: Possibly from “yarah” (to found or establish) and “shalom” (peace, wholeness). Meaning: “City of Peace” or “Foundation of Peace.”

Biblical Background: First mentioned as “Salem” in Genesis 14:18, where Melchizedek was king. It became the city of David and the location of God’s temple.

Theological Meaning: Jerusalem symbolizes the dwelling place of God among His people. The earthly city represents God’s covenant, while the heavenly Jerusalem represents eternal peace and communion with Him.

The chosen people are those who now carry God’s presence within them. “Don’t you know that you are a temple of God, and that God’s Spirit lives in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16). The true Jerusalem is not bound by geography — it is formed by believers united in Christ.

NAZARETH (נָצְרַת - Natzrat)

Hebrew Root: From “netser” (branch, shoot, sprout).

Meaning: “Branch” or “Place of the Branch.”

Biblical Background: The town in Galilee where Jesus was raised (Matthew 2:23). The name connects to the prophecy of Isaiah 11:1: “A branch will come from the root of Jesse.”

Theological Meaning: Nazareth symbolizes humility and divine purpose. Though despised by many, it became the home of the Messiah — the “Branch” who fulfills God’s promises.

The chosen people follow this same pattern of humility. God often works through what seems insignificant to reveal His greatest purpose.

EGYPT (מִצְרַיִם - Mitsrayim)

Hebrew Root: Derived from “matsor” (enclosure, narrow place, distress).

Meaning: “Land of confinement” or “Place of double straits.”

Biblical Background: Named after Mizraim, a son of Ham (Genesis 10:6). Egypt became the setting of Israel’s slavery and later a symbol of bondage and deliverance.

Theological Meaning: Egypt represents the world’s system of oppression and sin from which God delivers His people. The Exodus is a central image of redemption — freedom through divine intervention.

The chosen people are those who have been called out of spiritual Egypt — freed from the bondage of sin through Christ. “Out of Egypt I called my son” (Hosea 11:1, fulfilled in Matthew 2:15).

BABYLON (בָּבֶל - Bavel / Akkadian: Bab-ilu)

Hebrew Root: From “balal” (to mix or confuse).

Meaning: “Confusion” in Hebrew; “Gate of God” in Akkadian.

Biblical Origin: Genesis 11 — The Tower of Babel, where God confused the language of humanity. Later, Babylon became the capital of the empire that exiled Judah.

Theological Meaning: Babylon represents pride, idolatry, and rebellion against God. In Revelation, “Babylon the Great” symbolizes the final world system opposed to God’s Kingdom.

God’s chosen people are those who come out of Babylon — refusing compromise and confusion. “Come out of her, my people, so that you have no participation in her sins” (Revelation 18:4).

WORDS PEOPLE OFTEN CONFUSE IN THE BIBLE

HEBREW (עִבְרִי - Ivri)

The word Hebrew first appears in Genesis 14:13, referring to Abram (later Abraham) as “Abram the Hebrew.” It comes from avar (to cross over).

Meaning: “One who crossed over.” It describes those who crossed over from the world’s ways to follow the true God. Spiritually, believers today are called to do the same — to cross over from darkness to light through faith in Jesus Christ.

ISRAELITE (יִשְׂרְאֵלִי - Yisre’eli)

An Israelite was a physical descendant of Jacob (Israel). But in the New Testament, the term takes on a deeper spiritual meaning. Paul writes, “They are not all Israel that are of Israel” (Romans 9:6).

The true Israelites are those who live by faith in God’s promises, not merely by ancestry or law.

JEW (יְהוּדִי - Yehudi)

Originally, this referred to a person from the tribe of Judah or the southern kingdom of Judah. Over time, it became a broader term for anyone from the nation of Israel, especially after the Babylonian exile.

Spiritually, being a Jew in God’s eyes means having a heart dedicated to Him. “He is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit” (Romans 2:29).

God’s covenant with Abraham was fulfilled in Jesus, not replaced. Those who reject Christ remain outside the covenant of salvation, while all who believe — whether Jew or Gentile — are grafted into the same spiritual family of faith (Romans 11:17–20).

GENTILE (גּוֹי - Goy / plural גּוֹיִם - Goyim)

The Hebrew word goy simply means “nation.” In the Old Testament, it referred to all nations other than Israel. In the New Testament, Gentiles are those who were once outside the covenant.

Through Christ, Gentiles are now brought into the same promise: “There is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all” (Romans 10:12).

CHURCH (ἐκκλησία - Ekklesia)

In Greek, ekklesia means “the called-out ones.” It does not refer to a building but to the people whom God has called out from the world to belong to Him.The Church includes all who believe in Jesus — Jews and Gentiles alike — united by the Holy Spirit as one body in Christ (Ephesians 2:14–16).

NATIONS (ἔθνη - Ethne)

When Scripture speaks of “the nations,” it refers to all people groups of the earth. God’s plan was always to bless every nation through His covenant. “All the nations of the earth will be blessed through your offspring” (Genesis 22:18).

This promise is fulfilled in Jesus, through whom every nation is invited into God’s Kingdom.

SPIRITUAL TRUTH — WHO ARE THE CHOSEN PEOPLE?

Throughout Scripture, “chosen” always points to relationship, not race. The Old Testament foreshadowed what the New Testament fulfilled: in Christ, every believer becomes part of God’s chosen nation. The chosen are those who praise like Judah, persevere like Israel, live in peace like Jerusalem, and walk humbly like Jesus of Nazareth. They are delivered from Egypt’s bondage, separated from Babylon’s confusion, and shaped through seasons of testing.

“Even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without defect before Him in love.” — Ephesians 1:4

Being chosen is not about favoritism but purpose — to reflect God’s light in a world of confusion and darkness. To be chosen is to belong fully to Him.

Israel — God’s Covenant People and the Mystery of Unbelief

THE IMPORTANCE OF BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION

Understanding Scripture requires humility, prayer, and reliable study. The Bible is rich in ancient languages, culture, and symbolism, which can easily be misunderstood when taken out of context. Many people today draw conclusions from social media or personal opinions rather than from sound biblical teaching. Yet God calls us to seek wisdom with discernment.

To interpret the Word faithfully, we can rely on trustworthy tools such as the Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, the New International Bible Dictionary, and study platforms like Logos.com, which provide access to scholars who understand Hebrew and Greek. Teachers like Wesley Huff, a Canadian apologist and researcher with Apologetics Canada, dedicate their work to studying and explaining Scripture through its historical and linguistic context. His background in theology and New Testament studies helps believers see how the meaning of biblical words and passages connects to God’s redemptive plan.

We are not meant to rely on our own understanding or casual online interpretations. Proverbs 3:5 reminds us, “Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding.” True revelation comes from the Holy Spirit, who leads believers into all truth (John 16:13). Sound interpretation protects us from error and draws us closer to the living Word of God.

DAILY APPLICATION — WALKING IN DISCERNMENT AND TRUTH

The Chosen People — Understanding What the Bible Really Means

Understanding biblical words and names is more than an academic pursuit; it is a call to live with discernment and devotion each day. As believers, we are surrounded by countless voices, opinions, and online interpretations that can easily distort the truth of God’s Word. The chosen people of God are those who seek wisdom from Scripture, not from trends or speculation.

Daily discernment begins with staying close to the Word of God, listening to the Holy Spirit, and testing everything against Scripture. The Apostle Paul reminds us, “Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). This means being alert, prayerful, and willing to correct our understanding when the Spirit reveals deeper truth.

Christians are called to be students of the Word, not passive listeners. Studying the historical and spiritual meaning of words like Israel, Judah, and Jerusalem helps us see that faith is not a label, but a living relationship with God. We grow in wisdom when we rely on Scripture, trustworthy teachers, and the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

True discernment leads to transformation. It shapes how we think, speak, and respond to the world around us. Every day, we are invited to live as the chosen people of God — not by name or tradition, but by faith, obedience, and love.

CONTINUE YOUR JOURNEY OF HEALING

If this message encouraged you, I invite you to explore these themes more deeply:

From Pain to Purpose: Rediscovering Life in God’s Word — a Bible-based resource that contrasts secular psychology and philosophy with the unchanging truth of Scripture.

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Guided by God: Healing the Past, Building the Future through Bible-Based Counseling & Coaching, Journaling Prompts & Exercises — a faith-centered tool designed to support your Christian coaching journey through reflection and spiritual growth.

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Visit HopeWithElisabeth.com to learn more about Bible-based counseling and coaching sessions designed to guide you toward peace, healing, and renewed purpose through God’s Word.