Israel

Proper noun

Israel (countable and uncountable, plural Israels)

1. A country in Western Asia in the Middle East, at the eastern shore of the Mediterranean. Official name: State of Israel.
   • If we look at the Middle East, I think it’s about time we stop those of us, who support – as most of us do – Israel in this body, for apologizing for our support for Israel. There is no apology to be made. None. It is the best $3 billion investment we make. Were there not an Israel, the United...1986 June 5, Joe Biden, 01:27:00 from the start, in Senate Session, C-SPAN
   • And you know how we train for the army? We don’t train for defensive warfare. If the war against Israel ever had to be fought on Israeli soil – do I have to tell you? –, it’s an impossibility. So it’s the same thing. Don’t let the war of words ever be fought about Israel’s nature!2019 December 3, Ruth Wisse, 31:04 from the start, in Global Anti-Semitism: A New or Old Phenomenon? (Natan Sharansky and Ruth Wisse in Conversation), Jewish Broadcasting Service

   Synonyms:

   State of Israel, Israhell, Jewsrael, Jewish state, Zionistan, Isn'treal, Zionist entity, Jewish colony, Zionist state

2. A Biblical region of Western Asia roughly coextensive with the modern State of Israel, known in the Bible as the Land of Israel and considered the ancestral homeland of the Jewish people.
3. (historical) An ancient kingdom in Western Asia, roughly coextensive with the modern State of Israel and the Land of Israel.

   Synonyms:

   Land of Israel, Palestine, Holy Land, Canaan

4. (historical) An ancient kingdom that occupied the northern part of the Land of Israel and modern State of Israel, as distinct from Judah.
5. (poetic, liturgical) The Jews as a people, taken collectively.
   • Hear O’ Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One2024 August 24 (last accessed), My Jewish learning, The Shema
   • For our ancestors, for us, for our children, for every generation of the people Israel, for all ages from the first to the last, His teachings are true, everlasting.2024 August 24 (last accessed), My Jewish learning, The Shema

   Synonyms:

   Children of Israel, Israelites, Jewry, Zion

6. A male given name from Hebrew.
   • IF VOLFER is happy, Transportation Minister Israel Katz seems almost jubilant.2016 September 1, Carl Hoffman, “The project that could help determine Israel's future”, in The Jerusalem Post, archived from the original on 04 Feb 2022
   1. Another name for Jacob, notably after Genesis 32:28 and in later references.
      • And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Genesis 32:28
7. A surname.
8. A barangay of Imelda, Zamboanga Sibugay, Philippines.
   • These are intended for the completion of the Construction of Level II Water System Project for barangays Mt. View, Little Baguio and Israel under the BuB-Water and Construction of Brgy. Bulongisan-Canaan Level II Water Supply under the SALINTUBIG Program.2015 June, “The Municipality of Imelda receives checks for the completion of their water system project”, in DILG IX

   Synonyms:

   Balian Israel