Land of Israel

The phrase “Land of Israel” appears throughout Scripture as a theological, geographical, and covenantal term. In the Bible, it generally translates Hebrew expressions tied to God’s promise to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This study surveys the phrase itself, its Hebrew background, usage in the Old and New Testaments, and its theological significance.

Hebrew Terms Behind “Land of Israel”

Although the exact phrase “Land of Israel” (’eretz yisra’ēl – אֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל) appears only occasionally in the Old Testament, the broader terms that the Bible translates as “the land” or “their land” frequently refer specifically to Israel’s covenant land.

In the Old Testament the Hebrew word Eretz (אֶרֶץ) means earth, ground, territory, region, or country. The word is used to mean the whole earth as found in Genesis 1:1 and to a specific region as found in Genesis 12:5. The Hebrew word for Israel is Yisra’ēl (יִשְׂרָאֵל). The word is used for the patriarch Jacob and the nation that springs from him. So combined, Eretz Yisra’ēl means “the Land of Israel,” meaning the geographical territory belonging to the people of Israel by divine promise.

Key Old Testament Usage

While the exact phrase is rare, the concept is pervasive. A few significant passages use the term explicitly or implicitly.

Ezekiel 20:38 says, “...but they will not enter the land of Israel...” Here, ’eretz yisra’ēl is explicitly used. Ezekiel stresses the land as the destination of God’s covenant people, from which rebels will be purged.

In Ezekiel 47:18-22 the Bible tells us the boundary descriptions for the restored land repeatedly refer to it as the land belonging to Israel, the covenant land allotted to the tribes.

Even where Bible does not use the exact phrase, terms like “the land” or “the land which I swore to give to your fathers” clearly refer to what later texts call “the Land of Israel.” For example, Deuteronomy 30:5 says,  “The Lord your God will bring you into the land which your fathers possessed…” Joshua 21:43 says, “So the Lord gave Israel all the land which He had sworn to give…” These reinforce that the “Land of Israel” is primarily a covenantal territory defined by God’s oath.

New Testament Usage

The Greek expression γῆ Ἰσραήλ (gē Israēl) is translated as “Land of Israel.” The phrase appears explicitly after Joseph’s return from Egypt. For example, Matthew 2:20–21 declares, “Arise, take the Child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel…”

Here “Land of Israel” refers geographically to the territory inhabited by the Jewish people in the first century. Matthew uses the phrase to contrast Egypt with Israel as the place of God’s chosen people and Messiah.

Meaning and Theological Significance

Geographic Homeland

“Land of Israel” denotes a specific, bounded territory traditionally encompassing the land promised to Abraham (Gen. 15:18–21), The tribal allotments (Josh. 13–21) and the region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, including Judea, Samaria, and Galilee.

Covenant Fulfillment

The land is integral to God’s covenant with Abraham (Gen 12:1; 15:18), Isaac (Gen 26:3) and Jacob (Gen 28:13). Possessing the land is a sign of blessing, while exile is a sign of judgment.

Identity and Restoration

Prophets like Ezekiel and Isaiah present return to the land as part of Israel’s eschatological restoration. Ezekiel 36–37 links physical return with spiritual renewal. The New Testament references show the land as the historical setting for Messiah’s early life.

Theological Symbol

The land represents God’s faithfulness, inheritance for His people, a place of holiness where God dwells among His people (Deut. 12:5; Ezek. 37:26–28) and a preview of God’s ultimate restoration and kingdom.

Summary

Aspect	Description
Hebrew Term	’Eretz Yisra’ēl — “Land of Israel”
Meaning	The geographic territory belonging to God’s covenant people
OT Emphasis	Promise, inheritance, identity, restoration
NT Emphasis	Homeland of the Jewish people; context for Messiah’s mission
Theological Focus	God’s faithfulness to His covenant promises

The “Land of Israel” is more than geography, it is a central biblical theme grounding the identity and destiny of Israel in God’s eternal covenant plan.