Israel
/ˈɪz.reɪ.əl/noun
A nation in the Middle East; also refers to the ancient Hebrew kingdom.
Did you know?The name Israel means 'he who struggles with God' and is derived from a biblical story where Jacob wrestles with an angel.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semitic
Semitic
*ɪsraʔel
“He struggles with God”
Ancient Hebrew
Hebrew
יִשְׂרָאֵל
“Israel, he who struggles with God”
6th Century BCE
Hebrew
יִשְׂרָאֵל
“Name of the ancient kingdom and people”
Modern English
English
Israel
“The modern nation-state in the Middle East”