Answer: Dear Patricia,

The term is primarily used of the Old Testament nation composed of a number of tribes who were collectively given what is called the old covenant. Secondarily, the term is used in the New Testament of what we today know generically as Jews – both racially and religiously.

At this point the discussion can become fragmented. Some believe that the term is used in the Bible to speak of a geographic territory which is by covenant given to the Jews today, and that there is prophetic significance to the Jews regaining that territory (in the late 1940’s). This is much more controversial – some Christians, pastors and scholars agree, and some do not.

Hope this helps.

In Christ,

Greg Albrecht