An Attempt To Date
Jews, Hebrews and Israelites
April 3, 2015
G.D.O'Bradovich III
The following citations are courtesy of the Oxford English Dictionary. Secondary sources are in red.
A person belonging to the Semitic tribe or nation descended from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; an Israelite, a Jew. (Historically, the term is usually applied to the early Israelites; in modern use it avoids the religious and other associations often attaching to Jew.)
[OE Old Eng. Hexateuch: Gen. (Claud.) xl. 15
Ic wæs dearnunga forstolen of Ebrea lande.]
c1450 tr. Thomas à Kempis De Imitatione Christi iii. xliii. 114
Not seruaunt, but a veray hebrewe.
c1480 (▸a1400) St. Thomas Apostle 73 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 131
Þare is bot a god but drede, þat of hebreis þe god Is.
1533 J. Gau tr. C. Pedersen Richt Vay sig. Eiv,
As it is writine in the vi chaiptur to the Hebreis.
1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie iii. xii. 93
Of nature an Hebrew.
a1616 Shakespeare Two Gentlemen of Verona (1623) ii. v. 46
If not, thou art an Hebrew, a Iew, and not worth the name of a Christian.
1671 Milton Samson Agonistes 1319
Thou knowst I am an Ebrew.
a1832 F. D. Maurice Moral Philos. in Encycl. Metrop. II. 558/1
The difference between the Hebrews and Greeks generally.
†b. Hebrew race or stock. Obs.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Gen. xl. 15
Theuelich Y am had awey fro the loond of Hebrew [a1425 L.V. Ebrews].
c1480 (▸a1400) St. Thomas Apostle 59 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 130
A madyne com amange þam all of hebrow borne In-to þe land.
c1480 (▸a1400) St. Thomas Apostle 66 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 131
He of hebrow ves a manne.
The Semitic language spoken by the Hebrews, and in which most of the books of the Old Testament were written; it became extinct in vernacular use three or four centuries b.c., but survived liturgically, and is still cultivated by educated Jews throughout the world.
(In the New Testament applied to the Aramaic or Syriac, the vernacular language of the Hebrews of the time.)
?c1225 (▸?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 136
For iudit on ebrew is scrhif an englisch.
a1300 Cursor Mundi 2179
Al men spak bot wit on tong, þat es hebru, al for to sai.
c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (Roxb.) xxix. 132
Þai can speke na langage bot Ebrew.
c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (Roxb.) xxix. 132
All þe Iews..lerez for to speke Hebrew.
1526 Bible (Tyndale) John xix. 17
A place..which is named in hebrue, Golgatha.
1645 Milton Colasterion 2
As if hee knew both Greek and Ebrew.
1796 H. Hunter tr. J. H. B. de Saint-Pierre Stud. Nature (1799) III. 732
The Doctor of the highest reputation for learning, who understood Hebrew, Arabic and the Hindoo Language.
1842 J. C. Prichard Nat. Hist. Man 143
Even the language of Numidia is supposed by Gesenius to have been a pure, or nearly pure, Hebrew.
In reference to the language; of persons: learned in Hebrew, as a Hebrew scholar.
a1300 Cursor Mundi 406
In a dale..þat ebron hatte, in hebru nam.
1526 Bible (Tyndale) Luke xxiii. f. cxvj,
His superscripcion was written over him, in greke, latin, and ebrue letters.
1605 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. i. i. 7
Turkes Caracters, nor Hebrue Points to seeke.
1615 Bp. J. Hall Imprese of God i, in Recoll. Treat. 656
The Macabees had foure Hebrew letters in their ensigne.
1663 S. Butler Hudibras: First Pt. i. i. 5
For Hebrew Roots, although th'are found To flourish most in barren ground.
1895 W. A. Copinger in Trans. Bibliogr. Soc. 2 ii. 112
Hebrew type is found in a book printed by Fyner, at Esslingen in 1475..but no work was, I believe, wholly printed in this character till 1477.
A person of Hebrew descent; one whose religion is Judaism; an Israelite.Orig. a Hebrew of the kingdom of Judah, as opposed to those of the ten tribes of Israel; later, any Israelite who adhered to the worship of Jehovah as conducted at Jerusalem.
Applied comparatively rarely to the ancient nation before the exile (cf. Hebrew n. 1), but the commonest name for contemporary or modern representatives of this group, now spread throughout the world. The word ‘Jew’ is also applied to groups, e.g. the Falashas in Ethiopia, not ethnically related to persons of the main European groups, the Ashkenazim and the Sephardim.
c1275 Passion our Lord 351 in Old Eng. Misc. 47
Pilates hym onswerede, am ich Gyv þenne?
c1325 in G. L. Brook Harley Lyrics (1968) 68
Ich holde me vilore þen a Gyw [rhymes bowe, trowe, now].
▸a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1876) VI. 385
Charles Grossus was i-poysoned of a Iewe [v.r. Iuw].
a1400 (▸a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 11072
It halus bath Iu and sarȝine.
a1400 (▸a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 3944
O sinnu etes neuer juu [Gött. ieuu, Trin. Cambr. iew].
a1400 (▸a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 18579
And namely leue her of no iwe For al þus dud þei wiþ ihesu.
a1400 (▸a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) 4532
Þerynne a iewes childe we fonde.
a1400 Pistill of Susan 2
Þat was a Ieuȝ ientil, and Ioachin he hiht.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 266/2
Ive, judeus.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 235/1
Jue a man of jurye, jvif.
1572 in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. xxxi. 173
Mair nor in Jurie dois the Jow.
1600 Shakespeare Merchant of Venice iii. i. 54
Whats his reason, I am a Iewe: Hath not a Iewe eyes.
1615 G. Sandys Relation of Journey 52
His mother a Iew both by birth and religion.
1775 R. B. Sheridan Rivals ii. i,
She shall have a skin like a mummy, and the beard of a Jew.
1820 Byron Blues i. 77
You forget Lady Lilac's as rich as a Jew.
1940 W. H. Auden Another Time 116
He [sc. Sigmund Freud] Was taken away from his old interest To go back to the earth in London, An important Jew who died in exile.
1956 I. Murdoch Flight from Enchanter ix. 126
‘Of course, you realize that I could rescue you with my little finger,’ said Mrs Wingfield. ‘I'm as rich as a Jew!’
Plural.
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 9
Alswa hefden þe giwis heore sinagoge.
c1250 Old Kent. Serm. in Old Eng. Misc. 26
Hi..askede wer was se king of gyus þet was i-bore.
c1250 Old Kent. Serm. in Old Eng. Misc. 26
King of geus.
a1300 Cursor Mundi 142
O þe Iuus [v.rr. iewes] and moyses.
a1340 R. Rolle Psalter xxvii. 5
Þe iowes sloghe crist.
1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Rolls) VIII. 53
Þat he schulde doo þe Iewes [v.r. Iuwes] out of Engelond.
a1400 (▸a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 19129
Þar badd þai iuen suld þaim ȝeme.
1482 Caxton Trevisa's Higden (Rolls) IV. 369
Þe Iuwes accused Pilatus to Tiberius.
1533 J. Gau tr. C. Pedersen Richt Vay 30
Ve prech Iesu Christ crucifeit, sclander to the Iowis and folie to the gentils.
1549 Bk. Common Prayer (STC 16267)
Celebr. Holye Communion f. lii, Haue mercy vpon all Iewes, Turkes, Infidels, and heretikes.
1611 Bible (King James) 2 Kings xvi. 6
At that time Rezin king of Syria..draue the Iews from Elath.
1622 R. Sanderson Two Serm. Boston i. 2
In Rome there liued in the Apostles times many Iewes.
1710 tr. B. Telles Trav. Jesuits in Ethiopia i. viii. 38
Betwixt the Emperor's Dominions and the Cafres..there are still many of these Jews, whom they there call Falaxas, which signifies, Strangers.
1776 Gibbon Decline & Fall xv,
The same..abhorrence for idolatry which had distinguished the Jews from the other nations of the ancient world.
Gen. plur.
a1225 Juliana 62
Ant þoledest pinen ant passiun þurh giwes read on rode.
?c1225 (▸?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 288
To acwiten ut his leofmon ingywene honden.
c1350 Childh. Jesus 616 (Mätz.)
Giwene children feole..Him siweden.
a1400 (▸a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 4532
Þar-in a Iuen child [Trin. Cambr. iewes childe] we fand.
a1400 (▸a1325) Cursor Mundi (Coll. Phys.) l. 21696
Mang þe Iuwis lede.
a1400 (▸a1325) Cursor Mundi (Coll. Phys.) l. 19289
Þe iuwin folc felune.
▸c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 291
If Cristen preestis weren Iewen preestis.
1650 R. Withers tr. O. Bon Descr. Grand Signor's Seraglio 159
In the Kings Seraglio, the Sultanaes are permitted to employ divers Jewes-women about their ordinary occasions.
1. One of the people of Israel; one of the Hebrew people; a Jew.
▸c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) 2 Cor. xi. 22
Thei ben Ysraelitis, and I.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) 2 Cor. xi. 22
They are Israelites, euen so am I.
1611 Bible (King James) John i. 47
Behold an Israelite indeed in whom is no guile.
1796 H. Hunter tr. J. H. B. de Saint-Pierre Stud. Nature (1799) III. 704
Tears started to the Israelite's eyes.
1865 tr. E. Renan Life of Jesus 7
The assistance..given me for this part of my task by a learned Israelite, M. Neubauer, well versed in Talmudic literature.
1. The people descended from Israel or Jacob, the ‘children of Israel’ collectively; the Jewish or Hebrew nation or people.
c1000 Ælfric Exodus v. 2
Ne can ic Drihten, ne ic nelle forlætan Israela folc.
a1325 (▸c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 3449
Moyses tolde ðis israel.
a1325 (▸c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 3268
Wende we a-gen, An israel folc lete we ben.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Judges xxi. 25
In tho days was no kyng in Yrael [a1425 Israel].
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Exod. xi. 7
The Lorde hath put a difference betwixte Egipte and Israel.
1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 162
At Tripoli many Jewes and Gentiles had..perished with an Earthquake, whereof died in all Israel twentie thousand.
1878 S. M. Schiller-Szinessy in Academy 606/2
The German Jews, now the most accomplished in all Israel.
The previous citations in chronological order.
OE Ic wæs dearnunga forstolen of Ebrea lande.
1000c Ne can ic Drihten, ne ic nelle forlætan Israela folc.
1175c Alswa hefden þe giwis heore sinagoge.
Before the year 1200, there is one reference each for Hebrew, Israel and Jews.
1225?c (▸?a1200) (1972) For iudit on ebrew is scrhif an englisch.
1225?c (▸?a1200) (1972) To acwiten ut his leofmon ingywene honden.
1225a Ant þoledest pinen ant passiun þurh giwes read on rode.
1250c Hi..askede wer was se king of gyus þet was i-bore.
1250c King of geus.
1275c Pilates hym onswerede, am ich Gyv þenne?
There four references to Jews dating from middle of the 13th century
1300a O þe Iuus [v.rr. iewes] and moyses.
1300a Al men spak bot wit on tong, þat es hebru, al for to sai.
1300a In a dale..þat ebron hatte, in hebru nam.
1325a (▸c1250) (1968) Wende we a-gen, An israel folc lete we ben.
1325a (▸c1250) . (1968) Moyses tolde ðis israel.
1325c (1968) Ich holde me vilore þen a Gyw [rhymes bowe, trowe, now].
1340a Þe iowes sloghe crist.
1350c (Mätz.) Giwene children feole..Him siweden.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Theuelich Y am had awey fro the loond of Hebrew [a1425 L.V. Ebrews].
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) In tho days was no kyng in Yrael [a1425 Israel].
1384▸c Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (1850) Thei ben Ysraelitis, and I.
1387 Þat he schulde doo þe Iewes [v.r. Iuwes] out of Engelond.
1387▸a (1876) ... was i-poysoned of a Iewe [v.r. Iuw].
1400a Þat was a Ieuȝ ientil, and Ioachin he hiht.
1400a (▸a1325) Þe iuwin folc felune.
1400a (▸a1325) Mang þe Iuwis lede.
1400a (▸a1325) Þar badd þai iuen suld þaim ȝeme.
1400a (▸a1325) Þar-in a Iuen child [Trin. Cambr. iewes childe] we fand.
1400a (▸a1325) Þerynne a iewes childe we fonde.
1400a (▸a1325) And namely leue her of no iwe For al þus dud þei wiþ ihesu.
1400a (▸a1325) It halus bath Iu and sarȝine.
1400a (▸a1325) O sinnu etes neuer juu [Gött. ieuu, Trin. Cambr. iew].
1400c All þe Iews..lerez for to speke Hebrew.
1400c Þai can speke na langage bot Ebrew.
1440c Ive, judeus.
In the 14th century, there are 7 primary references to Jews and five primary references to Hebrews. There are no citations for Israelites.
1449▸c (1860) If Cristen preestis weren Iewen preestis.
1450c Not seruaunt, but a veray hebrewe.
1480c (▸a1400) ... of hebrow borne ...
1480c (▸a1400) He of hebrow ...
1480c (▸a1400) (1896) ... of hebreis þe god Is.
1482 Þe Iuwes accused Pilatus to Tiberius.
In the 15th century, there is one primary reference for both Hebrew and Jew.
1526 A place..which is named in hebrue, Golgatha.
1526 His superscripcion ..., in greke, latin, and ebrue letters.
1530 Jue a man of jurye, jvif.
1533 ..., sclander to the Iowis and folie to the gentils.
1533 As it is writine in the vi chaiptur to the Hebreis.
1535 They are Israelites, euen so am I.
1535 The Lorde hath put a difference betwixte Egipte and Israel.
1549 Haue mercy vpon all Iewes, ...
1572 (1891) Mair nor in Jurie dois the Jow.
1585 Of nature an Hebrew.
In the 16th century, there are 4 primary references for Jew and Hebrew and two for Israelite. Four of the ten quotations are from the Bible (Tyndale or Coverdale).
1600 Whats his reason, I am a Iewe: Hath not a Iewe eyes.
1605 ... nor Hebrue Points to seeke.
1611 At that time Rezin king of Syria..draue the Iews from Elath.
1611 Behold an Israelite indeed in whom is no guile.
1613 At Tripoli many Jewes and Gentiles had... in all Israel twentie thousand.
1615 The Macabees had foure Hebrew letters ...
1615 His mother a Iew both by birth and religion.
1616a (1623) If not, thou art an Hebrew, a Iew...
1622 In Rome there liued in the Apostles times many Iewes.
1645 As if hee knew both Greek and Ebrew.
1650 ... divers Jewes-women about ...
1663 For Hebrew Roots, although th'are found To flourish...
1671 Thou knowst I am an Ebrew.
In the 17th century, there are five primary references to Jews, four primary references to Hebrews and two primary references to Israelites. In the year 1622, we learn that there were Jews in Rome during Apostolic times. Hebrew was written without the letter "H" as late as 1671.
1710 ...there are still many of these Jews...
1775 She shall have a skin like a mummy, and the beard of a Jew.
1776 The same..abhorrence for idolatry which had distinguished the Jews ...
1796 (1799) Tears started to the Israelite's eyes.
1796 (1799) The Doctor of the highest reputation for learning, who understood Hebrew, Arabic and the Hindoo Language.
In the 18th century, there are three primary references to Jews.
The following table demonstrates the number of references per century.
A person belonging to the Semitic tribe or nation descended from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; an Israelite, a Jew. (Historically, the term is usually applied to the early Israelites; in modern use it avoids the religious and other associations often attaching to Jew.)
[OE Old Eng. Hexateuch: Gen. (Claud.) xl. 15
Ic wæs dearnunga forstolen of Ebrea lande.]
c1450 tr. Thomas à Kempis De Imitatione Christi iii. xliii. 114
Not seruaunt, but a veray hebrewe.
c1480 (▸a1400) St. Thomas Apostle 73 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 131
Þare is bot a god but drede, þat of hebreis þe god Is.
1533 J. Gau tr. C. Pedersen Richt Vay sig. Eiv,
As it is writine in the vi chaiptur to the Hebreis.
1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie iii. xii. 93
Of nature an Hebrew.
a1616 Shakespeare Two Gentlemen of Verona (1623) ii. v. 46
If not, thou art an Hebrew, a Iew, and not worth the name of a Christian.
1671 Milton Samson Agonistes 1319
Thou knowst I am an Ebrew.
a1832 F. D. Maurice Moral Philos. in Encycl. Metrop. II. 558/1
The difference between the Hebrews and Greeks generally.
†b. Hebrew race or stock. Obs.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Gen. xl. 15
Theuelich Y am had awey fro the loond of Hebrew [a1425 L.V. Ebrews].
c1480 (▸a1400) St. Thomas Apostle 59 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 130
A madyne com amange þam all of hebrow borne In-to þe land.
c1480 (▸a1400) St. Thomas Apostle 66 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 131
He of hebrow ves a manne.
The Semitic language spoken by the Hebrews, and in which most of the books of the Old Testament were written; it became extinct in vernacular use three or four centuries b.c., but survived liturgically, and is still cultivated by educated Jews throughout the world.
(In the New Testament applied to the Aramaic or Syriac, the vernacular language of the Hebrews of the time.)
?c1225 (▸?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 136
For iudit on ebrew is scrhif an englisch.
a1300 Cursor Mundi 2179
Al men spak bot wit on tong, þat es hebru, al for to sai.
c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (Roxb.) xxix. 132
Þai can speke na langage bot Ebrew.
c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (Roxb.) xxix. 132
All þe Iews..lerez for to speke Hebrew.
1526 Bible (Tyndale) John xix. 17
A place..which is named in hebrue, Golgatha.
1645 Milton Colasterion 2
As if hee knew both Greek and Ebrew.
1796 H. Hunter tr. J. H. B. de Saint-Pierre Stud. Nature (1799) III. 732
The Doctor of the highest reputation for learning, who understood Hebrew, Arabic and the Hindoo Language.
1842 J. C. Prichard Nat. Hist. Man 143
Even the language of Numidia is supposed by Gesenius to have been a pure, or nearly pure, Hebrew.
In reference to the language; of persons: learned in Hebrew, as a Hebrew scholar.
a1300 Cursor Mundi 406
In a dale..þat ebron hatte, in hebru nam.
1526 Bible (Tyndale) Luke xxiii. f. cxvj,
His superscripcion was written over him, in greke, latin, and ebrue letters.
1605 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. i. i. 7
Turkes Caracters, nor Hebrue Points to seeke.
1615 Bp. J. Hall Imprese of God i, in Recoll. Treat. 656
The Macabees had foure Hebrew letters in their ensigne.
1663 S. Butler Hudibras: First Pt. i. i. 5
For Hebrew Roots, although th'are found To flourish most in barren ground.
1895 W. A. Copinger in Trans. Bibliogr. Soc. 2 ii. 112
Hebrew type is found in a book printed by Fyner, at Esslingen in 1475..but no work was, I believe, wholly printed in this character till 1477.
A person of Hebrew descent; one whose religion is Judaism; an Israelite.Orig. a Hebrew of the kingdom of Judah, as opposed to those of the ten tribes of Israel; later, any Israelite who adhered to the worship of Jehovah as conducted at Jerusalem.
Applied comparatively rarely to the ancient nation before the exile (cf. Hebrew n. 1), but the commonest name for contemporary or modern representatives of this group, now spread throughout the world. The word ‘Jew’ is also applied to groups, e.g. the Falashas in Ethiopia, not ethnically related to persons of the main European groups, the Ashkenazim and the Sephardim.
c1275 Passion our Lord 351 in Old Eng. Misc. 47
Pilates hym onswerede, am ich Gyv þenne?
c1325 in G. L. Brook Harley Lyrics (1968) 68
Ich holde me vilore þen a Gyw [rhymes bowe, trowe, now].
▸a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1876) VI. 385
Charles Grossus was i-poysoned of a Iewe [v.r. Iuw].
a1400 (▸a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 11072
It halus bath Iu and sarȝine.
a1400 (▸a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 3944
O sinnu etes neuer juu [Gött. ieuu, Trin. Cambr. iew].
a1400 (▸a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 18579
And namely leue her of no iwe For al þus dud þei wiþ ihesu.
a1400 (▸a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) 4532
Þerynne a iewes childe we fonde.
a1400 Pistill of Susan 2
Þat was a Ieuȝ ientil, and Ioachin he hiht.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 266/2
Ive, judeus.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 235/1
Jue a man of jurye, jvif.
1572 in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. xxxi. 173
Mair nor in Jurie dois the Jow.
1600 Shakespeare Merchant of Venice iii. i. 54
Whats his reason, I am a Iewe: Hath not a Iewe eyes.
1615 G. Sandys Relation of Journey 52
His mother a Iew both by birth and religion.
1775 R. B. Sheridan Rivals ii. i,
She shall have a skin like a mummy, and the beard of a Jew.
1820 Byron Blues i. 77
You forget Lady Lilac's as rich as a Jew.
1940 W. H. Auden Another Time 116
He [sc. Sigmund Freud] Was taken away from his old interest To go back to the earth in London, An important Jew who died in exile.
1956 I. Murdoch Flight from Enchanter ix. 126
‘Of course, you realize that I could rescue you with my little finger,’ said Mrs Wingfield. ‘I'm as rich as a Jew!’
Plural.
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 9
Alswa hefden þe giwis heore sinagoge.
c1250 Old Kent. Serm. in Old Eng. Misc. 26
Hi..askede wer was se king of gyus þet was i-bore.
c1250 Old Kent. Serm. in Old Eng. Misc. 26
King of geus.
a1300 Cursor Mundi 142
O þe Iuus [v.rr. iewes] and moyses.
a1340 R. Rolle Psalter xxvii. 5
Þe iowes sloghe crist.
1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Rolls) VIII. 53
Þat he schulde doo þe Iewes [v.r. Iuwes] out of Engelond.
a1400 (▸a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 19129
Þar badd þai iuen suld þaim ȝeme.
1482 Caxton Trevisa's Higden (Rolls) IV. 369
Þe Iuwes accused Pilatus to Tiberius.
1533 J. Gau tr. C. Pedersen Richt Vay 30
Ve prech Iesu Christ crucifeit, sclander to the Iowis and folie to the gentils.
1549 Bk. Common Prayer (STC 16267)
Celebr. Holye Communion f. lii, Haue mercy vpon all Iewes, Turkes, Infidels, and heretikes.
1611 Bible (King James) 2 Kings xvi. 6
At that time Rezin king of Syria..draue the Iews from Elath.
1622 R. Sanderson Two Serm. Boston i. 2
In Rome there liued in the Apostles times many Iewes.
1710 tr. B. Telles Trav. Jesuits in Ethiopia i. viii. 38
Betwixt the Emperor's Dominions and the Cafres..there are still many of these Jews, whom they there call Falaxas, which signifies, Strangers.
1776 Gibbon Decline & Fall xv,
The same..abhorrence for idolatry which had distinguished the Jews from the other nations of the ancient world.
Gen. plur.
a1225 Juliana 62
Ant þoledest pinen ant passiun þurh giwes read on rode.
?c1225 (▸?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 288
To acwiten ut his leofmon ingywene honden.
c1350 Childh. Jesus 616 (Mätz.)
Giwene children feole..Him siweden.
a1400 (▸a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 4532
Þar-in a Iuen child [Trin. Cambr. iewes childe] we fand.
a1400 (▸a1325) Cursor Mundi (Coll. Phys.) l. 21696
Mang þe Iuwis lede.
a1400 (▸a1325) Cursor Mundi (Coll. Phys.) l. 19289
Þe iuwin folc felune.
▸c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 291
If Cristen preestis weren Iewen preestis.
1650 R. Withers tr. O. Bon Descr. Grand Signor's Seraglio 159
In the Kings Seraglio, the Sultanaes are permitted to employ divers Jewes-women about their ordinary occasions.
1. One of the people of Israel; one of the Hebrew people; a Jew.
▸c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) 2 Cor. xi. 22
Thei ben Ysraelitis, and I.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) 2 Cor. xi. 22
They are Israelites, euen so am I.
1611 Bible (King James) John i. 47
Behold an Israelite indeed in whom is no guile.
1796 H. Hunter tr. J. H. B. de Saint-Pierre Stud. Nature (1799) III. 704
Tears started to the Israelite's eyes.
1865 tr. E. Renan Life of Jesus 7
The assistance..given me for this part of my task by a learned Israelite, M. Neubauer, well versed in Talmudic literature.
1. The people descended from Israel or Jacob, the ‘children of Israel’ collectively; the Jewish or Hebrew nation or people.
c1000 Ælfric Exodus v. 2
Ne can ic Drihten, ne ic nelle forlætan Israela folc.
a1325 (▸c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 3449
Moyses tolde ðis israel.
a1325 (▸c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 3268
Wende we a-gen, An israel folc lete we ben.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Judges xxi. 25
In tho days was no kyng in Yrael [a1425 Israel].
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Exod. xi. 7
The Lorde hath put a difference betwixte Egipte and Israel.
1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 162
At Tripoli many Jewes and Gentiles had..perished with an Earthquake, whereof died in all Israel twentie thousand.
1878 S. M. Schiller-Szinessy in Academy 606/2
The German Jews, now the most accomplished in all Israel.
The previous citations in chronological order.
OE Ic wæs dearnunga forstolen of Ebrea lande.
1000c Ne can ic Drihten, ne ic nelle forlætan Israela folc.
1175c Alswa hefden þe giwis heore sinagoge.
Before the year 1200, there is one reference each for Hebrew, Israel and Jews.
1225?c (▸?a1200) (1972) For iudit on ebrew is scrhif an englisch.
1225?c (▸?a1200) (1972) To acwiten ut his leofmon ingywene honden.
1225a Ant þoledest pinen ant passiun þurh giwes read on rode.
1250c Hi..askede wer was se king of gyus þet was i-bore.
1250c King of geus.
1275c Pilates hym onswerede, am ich Gyv þenne?
There four references to Jews dating from middle of the 13th century
1300a O þe Iuus [v.rr. iewes] and moyses.
1300a Al men spak bot wit on tong, þat es hebru, al for to sai.
1300a In a dale..þat ebron hatte, in hebru nam.
1325a (▸c1250) (1968) Wende we a-gen, An israel folc lete we ben.
1325a (▸c1250) . (1968) Moyses tolde ðis israel.
1325c (1968) Ich holde me vilore þen a Gyw [rhymes bowe, trowe, now].
1340a Þe iowes sloghe crist.
1350c (Mätz.) Giwene children feole..Him siweden.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Theuelich Y am had awey fro the loond of Hebrew [a1425 L.V. Ebrews].
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) In tho days was no kyng in Yrael [a1425 Israel].
1384▸c Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (1850) Thei ben Ysraelitis, and I.
1387 Þat he schulde doo þe Iewes [v.r. Iuwes] out of Engelond.
1387▸a (1876) ... was i-poysoned of a Iewe [v.r. Iuw].
1400a Þat was a Ieuȝ ientil, and Ioachin he hiht.
1400a (▸a1325) Þe iuwin folc felune.
1400a (▸a1325) Mang þe Iuwis lede.
1400a (▸a1325) Þar badd þai iuen suld þaim ȝeme.
1400a (▸a1325) Þar-in a Iuen child [Trin. Cambr. iewes childe] we fand.
1400a (▸a1325) Þerynne a iewes childe we fonde.
1400a (▸a1325) And namely leue her of no iwe For al þus dud þei wiþ ihesu.
1400a (▸a1325) It halus bath Iu and sarȝine.
1400a (▸a1325) O sinnu etes neuer juu [Gött. ieuu, Trin. Cambr. iew].
1400c All þe Iews..lerez for to speke Hebrew.
1400c Þai can speke na langage bot Ebrew.
1440c Ive, judeus.
In the 14th century, there are 7 primary references to Jews and five primary references to Hebrews. There are no citations for Israelites.
1449▸c (1860) If Cristen preestis weren Iewen preestis.
1450c Not seruaunt, but a veray hebrewe.
1480c (▸a1400) ... of hebrow borne ...
1480c (▸a1400) He of hebrow ...
1480c (▸a1400) (1896) ... of hebreis þe god Is.
1482 Þe Iuwes accused Pilatus to Tiberius.
In the 15th century, there is one primary reference for both Hebrew and Jew.
1526 A place..which is named in hebrue, Golgatha.
1526 His superscripcion ..., in greke, latin, and ebrue letters.
1530 Jue a man of jurye, jvif.
1533 ..., sclander to the Iowis and folie to the gentils.
1533 As it is writine in the vi chaiptur to the Hebreis.
1535 They are Israelites, euen so am I.
1535 The Lorde hath put a difference betwixte Egipte and Israel.
1549 Haue mercy vpon all Iewes, ...
1572 (1891) Mair nor in Jurie dois the Jow.
1585 Of nature an Hebrew.
In the 16th century, there are 4 primary references for Jew and Hebrew and two for Israelite. Four of the ten quotations are from the Bible (Tyndale or Coverdale).
1600 Whats his reason, I am a Iewe: Hath not a Iewe eyes.
1605 ... nor Hebrue Points to seeke.
1611 At that time Rezin king of Syria..draue the Iews from Elath.
1611 Behold an Israelite indeed in whom is no guile.
1613 At Tripoli many Jewes and Gentiles had... in all Israel twentie thousand.
1615 The Macabees had foure Hebrew letters ...
1615 His mother a Iew both by birth and religion.
1616a (1623) If not, thou art an Hebrew, a Iew...
1622 In Rome there liued in the Apostles times many Iewes.
1645 As if hee knew both Greek and Ebrew.
1650 ... divers Jewes-women about ...
1663 For Hebrew Roots, although th'are found To flourish...
1671 Thou knowst I am an Ebrew.
In the 17th century, there are five primary references to Jews, four primary references to Hebrews and two primary references to Israelites. In the year 1622, we learn that there were Jews in Rome during Apostolic times. Hebrew was written without the letter "H" as late as 1671.
1710 ...there are still many of these Jews...
1775 She shall have a skin like a mummy, and the beard of a Jew.
1776 The same..abhorrence for idolatry which had distinguished the Jews ...
1796 (1799) Tears started to the Israelite's eyes.
1796 (1799) The Doctor of the highest reputation for learning, who understood Hebrew, Arabic and the Hindoo Language.
In the 18th century, there are three primary references to Jews.
The following table demonstrates the number of references per century.
Century
before 1200 14th century 15th century 16th century 17th century 18th century |
Jew
1 5 2 4 5 3 |
Hebrew
1 4 NA 4 4 NA |
Israelite
1 NA NA 2 2 NA |
We can understand from the table that Jew is attested throughout written English history, while Hebrew has no references in the 15th century. Of the five primary references to Israelites, two references dated to the 16th century are from the Bible and one reference form the 17th century is from the Bible. Therefore, there are only two references to Israelites that are extra Biblical.
Due to insufficient information in the English language relating to Hebrews and Israelites, we must conclude that England was unfamiliar with these words and the associated meanings and concepts. Our unsatisfactory attempt to date Hebrews and Israelites is reminiscent of our attempts to date the Orthodox Church and Islam.
Due to insufficient information in the English language relating to Hebrews and Israelites, we must conclude that England was unfamiliar with these words and the associated meanings and concepts. Our unsatisfactory attempt to date Hebrews and Israelites is reminiscent of our attempts to date the Orthodox Church and Islam.