The Biblical Two Houses of Israel
Biblical History
References to the two houses of Israel are found throughout the entire Bible, either directly or in reference to one of several names used for the same house or houses. In total, the various names used appear at least 226 times in the Biblical record. We must always remember that Biblical history is prophesy fulfilled, and there is considerable prophecy surrounding the two houses of Israel – some fulfilled and some yet to be fulfilled.
Historically speaking, the whole house of Israel (Jacob) was made up of the 12 sons of Jacob (renamed Israel, from Gen. 32:24-32). However, at the close of the reign of Solomon, the whole house of Israel was eventually divided into two kingdoms as a consequence of the actions of Rehoboam and Jeroboam (see 2 Chron. 9:29- 11:4; Amos 7:7-16; 9:1-10; Hosea 10; 11: 1-7, 12; 1 Kings 11 and 12, 2 Kings 17: 5-41). The 10 northern tribes of Israel (i.e., less Judah and Benjamin) in 723-22 B.C. were dispersed by Assyria as a consequence of their idolatry and refusal to follow God’s commandments – Torah. These 10 tribes became known as the Northern Kingdom, as seen in the Scriptures, but sometimes are also referred to as Ephraim (as the predominant northern tribe), Joseph or Israel. Distinguishing in the Scriptures between Israel as the whole house (all 12 tribes of Jacob or Israel), and Israel the Northern Kingdom (10 northern tribes), is achieved through reading in proper context the whole of the Bible.
The two southern tribes (Judah and Benjamin) became known as the Southern Kingdom. However, through eventual idolatry and deviation from Torah the Southern Kingdom was dispersed in 586 B.C. to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar, Monarch of the Neo-Babylonian Empire (605 – 562 B.C.). However, it was prophesied that the Southern Kingdom, sometimes also referred to as Judah (as the predominant tribe) would be exiled for 70 years (see 2 Kings 24: 1-20; 25: 1-10; Dan. 9:1-2; Jer. 25: 1-11; 29: 10-14), and would then return to Jerusalem under the direction of Ezra and Nehemiah.
The Northern Kingdom, however, never returned to the extent as the Southern Kingdom (which was prophesied in 2 Chron. 36:15-21 and Jer. 25:1-14) and, subsequently through considerable time, assimilation and inter-marriage over many generations, became scattered to the four corners of the earth. Thus, the term “Ten Lost Tribes” has come about in reference to the Northern Kingdom, but in reality is a misnomer (see Steven M. Collins’ four-part series).
Various names and terms are used to refer to either of the two houses, or to the united twelve tribes of Israel. The united twelve tribes are most frequently noted as the “whole house of Israel,” or “the house of Jacob;” but sometimes just “Israel.” The southern kingdom of Israel is referred to as “Judah,” or “the house of Judah.” In extra-Biblical writings it is sometimes referred to as “the Southern Kingdom.” The northern kingdom of Israel is referred to as one of the following: “the house of Israel,” the house of Ephraim,” the “house of Joseph,” or simply “Israel.” In extra-Biblical writings it is sometimes referred to as “the Northern Kingdom.”
Example Citations of the Biblical Two Houses
Southern Kingdom (Judah)
Isaiah 22:21; 37:31 Jeremiah 3:6-18; 5:11; 31:31 Ezekiel 25:8; 37:15-17 Zechariah 8:13; 12:4 Hosea 1:7; 5:12, 14 Hebrews 8:8
Northern Kingdom (Ephraim)
Leviticus 10:6 (whole house); 17:10 Exodus 16:31; 40:38 Amos 5:1, 3-4, 25 Micah 1:5; 3:1,9 Hosea 1:4,6; 5:1; 6:10; 11:12 Jeremiah 2:4;
5:15; 11:17; 33:14 Isaiah 46:3; 63:7 Ezekiel 37:11, 16 (plus numerous others)
Zechariah 8:13
Isaiah 8:14 (ref. to both houses) Matthew 10:6; 15:24 John 10:16 (ref. to both houses) Acts 2:36; 7:42 Hebrews 8:8,10
Determination of Which House by Context
Considering the various terms used to refer to the two houses of Israel, or the whole house of Israel, can be confusing. The best way to understand which house the Biblical writer intended is to carefully investigate the context in which any one of the above terms is being used – textually, culturally, and historically.
Misunderstanding the Biblical Two Houses
Perhaps the most common mistake surrounding the Biblical two houses comes from thinking that “Israel” and the “Jews” are one-and-the-same. Many have been misled over this simple but highly important distinction.
The term “Jewish” or “Jew,” must be properly understood in Biblical context. One of the 12 sons of Jacob (Israel) was named Judah, who became the Tribe of Judah, and was the title for the Southern Kingdom of Israel, as the predominant tribe thereof. Judah was in the line of the Messiah, Yeshua (see Gen. 49:10; Matt. 1: 1-17). The term Jewish or “Jew” is derived from the name of the Tribe of Judah. “Jew” became a derogatory term that was eventually, and incorrectly, applied in labeling anyone from the land of Israel, or of Hebrew or Semite ancestry, no matter from which of the 12 tribes of birth. Today, it is common practice to misuse the terms Jew or Jewish in the above broader sense.
The term “Israel” must also be properly understood in Biblical context. In Gen. 32: 24-28 we see where Jacob wrestled with a “man,” which is generally interpreted to mean a manifestation of Elohim, either the pre-incarnate Yeshua (Jesus) or otherwise an Angel of Elohim. In any event, the struggle lasted until the break of day and the “man” did not prevail against Jacob. So He touched the socket of Jacob’s hip and caused it in some way to either come out of joint or affect the supporting muscle. The “man” said, “Let me go, for the day breaks.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” So the “man” asked of Jacob, “What is your name?” And Jacob replied, “Jacob.” The “man” said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel ; for you have struggled with Elohim and with men, and have prevailed.”
So we see where the twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah, the first born named Esau (Strong’s No. 6215, meaning “hairy”), and the second born named Jacob (Strong’s No. 3290, meaning either he who grasps at the heel of another – his twin brother Esau – or He (the Lord) is at his (Esau’s) heels; i.e., his (Jacob’s) protector. Esau’s name for his brother Jacob was “supplanter (See Gen. 25:31-34).” In Gen. 25:29-34 Jacob obtains his first born brother’s birthright. In Gen. 49 Jacob (Israel) blessed his 12 sons and foretold of their future. Out of Israel’s 12 sons was birthed the 12 tribes of Israel, or the “whole house of Israel (also seen as the house of Jacob).”
Misuse and Abuse of the Biblical Two Houses
Within Messianic Circles
Some who have come into the popularly known “Messianic Movement,” and discovered the Hebraic roots of their faith, have mistakenly concluded that because they are now seeing the Hebrew roots and have been greatly moved by its historical and Biblical basis, there must be some “Jewish” blood or ancestry in their background to cause this new-found interest and fascination with things “Jewish.” Consequently, some will even set out on a quest for their “Jewish” ancestors and go to great length and expense to “prove” the connection. This is a totally misguided venture that often results in no connections to “Jewish” relatives. Moreover, it is not in accord with the Biblical criteria for a covenant relationship with the Creator Elohim and His son Messiah Yeshua. Even if one does find some distant “Jewish” relative it is most usually merely a point of interest, and carries little import in Elohim’s ultimate plan for redemption of mankind. A covenant relationship with the Creator God is based not on ethnicity, but rather on covenant faithfulness and trust in the Biblical instructions for living a redeemed life.
Within Christendom
As stated above, Christianity has generally understood references to the people Israel and to Jewishness, or Jewish things, or to what has been thought and largely taught as the “Jewish Scriptures (i.e., the Old Testament),” as not being applicable to them. Thus, much of the significance of the historical paths of the two houses of Israel has been missed by Christianity, resulting in its lack of realization of who they are and where they fit into the whole scheme of the Biblical account. The result of this has been a general denial that the two houses of Israel exist at all. Thus, the common consensus seems to be that it is Christianity and Judaism only, with little regard for their marvelously unified background.
Within Judaism
For the most part the principal sects of Judaism today, and for many centuries previous, have referred to themselves as the “Jews,” or being “Jewish,” when in most cases they have no idea of their ancestry or any blood connection to the Tribe of Judah. What has evolved is a distinctive importance to being ethnically Jewish, without any concern for lineage back to tribal ancestry, save perhaps a known connection to the Tribe of Levi, and the Levitical Priesthood.
Concluding Remarks
The importance of historical factors and the influence of cultural traditions must be factored into the above for a complete and proper understanding of the two houses of Israel. Prophecy also enters into the subject of the two houses of Israel in a significant way, as indicated in the opening remarks.
We know the Biblical record is best understood when viewed as one whole book, and that the Apostolic Scriptures (i.e., the New Testament, so-called) cannot be understood in the absence of the Tanakh (i.e., the Old Testament, so-called). To provide a grasp on the Biblical Two Houses of Israel, several examples exist within the Apostolic Scriptures to both illustrate and substantiate these two houses. For example, in the Parable of the lost (Prodigal) son (Luke 15:11-31), the younger (Prodigal) son was a type (see vv. 11-19) of the house of Israel (northern Kingdom of Israel); and, the older son a type (see vv. 25-30) of the house of Judah (southern Kingdom of Israel).
Perhaps an even more succinct illustration is the account of the Samaritan woman who meets Yeshua at the well of Jacob (John 4:1-38). To understand this we must be familiar with the context of the narrative, particularly in terms of the historical and cultural aspects, not to mention the context of the whole of the Bible, textually. In this account Yeshua is a picture of the Kinsman Redeemer, as was Boaz from the house of Judah, in the Book of Ruth (see Ruth 2:1-2, 3:1-4, and 4:1-6), from the southern Kingdom of Israel. The Samaritan woman was a picture of the House of Israel, the northern Kingdom. From Jeremiah 3:6-10 we read where the house of Israel had committed adultery with other gods, playing the role of a harlot. In v. 8 we see where the house of Israel was given a certificate of divorce for her adultery. In Hosea 1:6-9, we see where Gomer (Hosea’s wife) was given to Hosea as a picture of what the house of Israel was to Elohim – a harlot.
Returning to the account of the Samaritan women at the well, we read in v. 4 where Yeshua went through Samaria (intentionally), as the Husband returning to His wayward bride, the northern Kingdom of Israel. Historically and culturally speaking, the encounter between Yeshua and the woman would normally not have ever occurred (cf. vv. 9, 27). Continuing the narrative, in vv. 16-18 we read where after Yeshua causes the women to acknowledge she has no husband, He reveals to her His knowledge that she (as a picture of the northern Kingdom) has had five husbands. This then takes us to 2 Kings 17:24-41, wherein we read of the history of the northern Kingdom of Israel being taken by the Assyrians in 722 B.C., for reason of its idolatry and adultery against Elohim. Specifically, in vv. 28-35, we read of the five gods (husbands) to which Yeshua was referring, which the Samaritans worshiped in their shrines and high places under the leadership of Jeroboam (2 Kings 17:21-29). In vv. 33, 40 and 41 we read where they continued their idolatry, “…even to this day.” This, of course, was a classic example of syncretism (i.e., mixing of God’s commandments with man’s corruptions thereof), as also noted in vv. 32-37.
Finally, returning to John 4:22-26, Yeshua tells the Samaritan woman that all true worshipers of Elohim will know that He is Spirit, and that they must worship him in spirit and in truth (see Psalm 119:142).
Sadly, even to the present day, man’s religious systems of both of these two houses of Israel continue in their syncretistic practices of mixing Elohim’s instructions from His Written Word of Truth, with man’s religious traditions and doctrines. Thus, they ignore the Biblical admonitions to fully acknowledge and obey His commands, continuing instead to worship Him in ways contrary to those commands.
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