The spelling of the word "Israelite" can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The initial sound /ɪ/ is followed by the /z/ sound represented by the letter "z". The next sound is a voiced dental fricative /ð/, which is written as "th". The second vowel sound is represented by the letter "a" which has the sound /eɪ/. The final consonant sound is /l/ followed by the voiced alveolar fricative /aɪt/. Therefore, the correct spelling is "Israelite" /ˈɪzrəˌlaɪt/.
Israelite refers to a member of the ancient Hebrew people who were the descendants of Jacob, also known as Israel. Historically, the term Israelite initially referred to the twelve tribes of Israel that emerged from Jacob's twelve sons. These tribes formed the basis of the Israelite nation, with their homeland being the land of Canaan, which eventually became the Kingdom of Israel in biblical times.
The Israelites held a distinctive religious and cultural identity, primarily centered around the worship of Yahweh, whom they believed to be their God and the sole deity. They viewed themselves as the chosen people of God, with whom He had made a covenant, as described in the Hebrew Bible.
The Israelites' history is extensively documented in the Hebrew Bible, including their enslavement in Egypt, their liberation by Moses, and their subsequent journey through the wilderness to the Promised Land. The Hebrew Bible also details the rise and fall of the Israelite kingdoms, their Babylonian exile, and their eventual return to their land.
Today, the term "Israelite" can hold multiple meanings. In a historical context, it refers to the ancient Hebrew people and their descendants. Simultaneously, it can denote adherence to the religion of Judaism or identify individuals with Israelite ancestry or heritage.
A descendent of Israel or Jacob; a Jew.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "Israelite" refers to a member of the ancient Israelite people or the descendants of the biblical patriarch Jacob, who was also known as Israel. The etymology of the word can be traced back to the Old Testament of the Bible.
The term "Israelite" comes from the Hebrew word "Yisra'el" (יִשְׂרָאֵל), which can be roughly translated as "God contends" or "one who contends with God". The name was given to Jacob after he wrestled with an angel or God in the book of Genesis. Jacob's name was changed to Israel as a symbol of his transformation and his perseverance in striving with God.
Over time, the term "Israelite" came to be used as a collective noun for Jacob's descendants and the twelve tribes that emerged from his twelve sons.