israelite
israelite — noun
- israelitesingular
- Israelitesplural
1. a member of the ancient Hebrew people who lived in the land of Canaan (later cal
a member of the ancient Hebrew people who lived in the land of Canaan (later called Israel) and whose history is told in the Bible and other historical sources
The Israelites crossed the Jordan River into Canaan, as described in the Bible.
often used in historical or biblical contexts
Archaeologists found pottery shards that match early Israelite settlement patterns.
collocation: 'early Israelite settlement'
Fatima examined how the Israelites adapted farming methods from neighbouring peoples.
The museum displays tools and jewellery used by Israelite families long ago.
Scholars disagree about whether all Israelite tribes followed the same religious rules.
- Hebrew
broader ancestral term that includes the pre-settlement period (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) before the 12 tribes settled in Canaan
- Jew
later historical term — after the Babylonian exile and the Persian period, 'Jew' (from Judah) became the standard term; 'Israelite' is reserved for the earlier period
用法筆記
The plural form 'Israelites' is far more common than the singular. This term refers specifically to the ancient people described in the Bible; use 'Israeli' for a citizen of the modern nation of Israel.
常見錯誤
israelite — adjective
- israelitepositive
- more israelitecomparative
- most israelitesuperlative
1. connected with the ancient nation of Israel or its people, especially as describ
connected with the ancient nation of Israel or its people, especially as described in the Bible and historical records of the region
The stone tablet mentions an Israelite king who lived around 800 BCE.
collocation: 'Israelite king'
Dan noted that Israelite pottery from the Iron Age has a distinct style.
Oluwaseun compared Israelite burial customs with those of nearby Canaanite groups.
The inscription describes an Israelite religious festival in early Hebrew writing.
Excavations uncovered the stone walls of an ancient Israelite house.
- Hebrew
overlaps in meaning but 'Hebrew' is more often used for the language and the patriarchal period, while 'Israelite' focuses on the nation after the 12 tribes formed
- biblical
broader — 'biblical' covers anything in the Bible; 'Israelite' is specific to the ancient Israelite people and their culture
用法筆記
This adjective is almost always used before a noun ('attributive position'). It refers exclusively to the ancient period; for the modern State of Israel, use 'Israeli' instead.