Bible Question:

Was Noah Jewish? If not, when did God start the Jewish nation?

Bible Answer:

Noah was not Jewish. If he was, every person would be a Jew by lineage since the flood destroyed everyone expect for Noah and his family (Genesis 5:29-9:1). In Genesis 9:1-7, we find that God told Noah to populate the earth. That means every living person is a descendant of Noah, as well as a descendant of Adam.

Jews Are Descendants Of Abraham, Issac and Jacob

The Jewish race started with Jacob (Genesis 32:28), even though Abraham was not the direct father of the Jews. Yet, the Jews regard Abraham as their father (Luke 1:73). He was the ancestral father. Abraham was the father of both the Jews and the Arabs since his sons were Isaac and Ishmael (1 Chronicles 1:28). The Jews are descendants of Isaac and the Arabs are descendants of Ishmael. Therefore, it is not surprising that the Jews in Jesus’ day considered Abraham to be their father (Luke 173). Listen to a conversation between some Jews and Jesus.

They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you are Abraham’s children, do the deeds of Abraham. (NASB) John 8:39

Those who practice Judaism trace their religion to Abraham (Genesis 17:9-24). The rite of circumcision started with Abraham and it is one of the key signs of a Jew.

The Name Of Israel

The name “Israel” comes from Jacob (Isaiah 48:1) who was the son of Isaac and the grandson of Abraham (Genesis 50:24). Jacob had twelve sons who had many descendants. The descendants are called the twelve tribes of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. (1 Chronicles 2:1-2). These twelve tribes settled in the promised land of Canaan. Later the nation split into two kingdoms called the Kingdom of Judah and the Kingdom of Israel. The word Jew comes from the Kingdom of Judah.

Conclusion:

The Jewish race started with Jacob.

Suggested Links:

Where did Noah come from? If not, who was his father?
Who is a Jew according to the Bible?
Why is it that our clergy persist in calling Abraham and Jesus Jews?