The Bible provides important historical context for understanding the relationship between Israel and Palestine. Though the terms “Israel” and “Palestine” are modern political designations, the lands they currently define have a long and complex history according to the biblical narrative.
In the Old Testament, God promises the land of Canaan (roughly corresponding to modern-day Israel and Palestine) to Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 15:18-21). The descendants of Abraham include the tribes that would later constitute the nation of Israel. After the exodus from Egypt, the Israelites conquered parts of Canaan under leaders like Joshua, but did not fully drive out the Canaanite peoples as God had instructed (Joshua 13-19).
Later, in the 11th century BC, King David established a strong Israelite kingdom based in Jerusalem, capturing more territory in the land (2 Samuel 5). His son Solomon built up the kingdom into a prosperous empire (1 Kings 4). However, after Solomon’s death, civil war divided the kingdom into the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah in about 930 BC (1 Kings 12). Over the next few centuries, both kingdoms declined in power and were eventually conquered by foreign powers.
The northern kingdom of Israel fell to the Assyrians in 722 BC, and many Israelites were exiled from the land (2 Kings 17). The southern kingdom of Judah survived until 586 BC, when it was conquered by Babylon. The Babylonians destroyed the temple in Jerusalem and carried off many of the people into exile (2 Kings 25). After about 70 years of exile in Babylon, some of the exiles returned to their homeland under leaders like Ezra and Nehemiah to reestablish their community. Though they rebuilt the temple, they remained under the rule of various foreign empires like the Persians and Greeks.
By the first century AD, the Roman Empire controlled the land of Israel, now the home of the Jewish people. It was during this period that Jesus Christ was born, ministered, died and rose again. The books of the New Testament tell how early Jewish followers of Jesus took the gospel to Jews and Gentiles alike across the Roman world.
In AD 70, the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the temple after a Jewish revolt. Many Jews were killed or exiled from the land. The surviving Jewish population in the land of Israel came under control of a series of foreign powers over the succeeding centuries. Eventually Arab Muslims conquered the region in the 7th century AD during their early expansion. Over time, Islam became the dominant religion in the region.
Though small numbers of Jews continued living in their historic homeland, it was not until the late 19th and 20th centuries that large numbers of Jews returned to reestablish a Jewish nation in the land. After World War I, the British took control of the area from the defeated Ottoman Turkish Empire. The land to the east of the Jordan River became the Arab nation of Transjordan (later Jordan), while the land to the west of the Jordan was administered by the British and slated for a Jewish national home. This set the stage for conflict between Arab Muslim inhabitants of the land and increasing numbers of Jewish immigrants seeking a new Jewish state.
After World War II and the horrors of the Holocaust, the Jewish quest for a homeland intensified. The United Nations proposed dividing the land west of the Jordan into Jewish and Arab states in 1947. The Jews accepted this plan, but the Arabs opposed it. When the British withdrew in 1948, Israel declared independence as a modern Jewish state. Neighboring Arab nations immediately attacked the new state but were defeated. Israel secured even more territory than originally allotted to it by the UN plan. Hundreds of thousands of Arabs fled or were displaced from their homes in the war.
The portion of the original Palestine Mandate west of the Jordan River that did not become part of Israel became known as the West Bank and was captured by Jordan. The Gaza Strip came under control of Egypt. Another war between Israel and its neighbors broke out in 1967, during which Israel occupied the West Bank, Gaza, and other territories. Israel began establishing settlements in these occupied zones.
Tensions erupted in periodic violence and uprisings over the succeeding decades. There were some negotiations toward possible land-for-peace deals between Israel and Arab nations and Palestinian leaders at different times. However, various factors continued preventing a final settlement agreement.
Today, Israel controls all the territory west of the Jordan River that formerly comprised the British Mandate of Palestine. The Palestinian Authority has some self-rule in parts of the West Bank and Gaza but aspires for recognized statehood in those lands. Israel insists that the Palestinians can only attain a limited form of statehood if/when final negotiations succeed. Numerous issues remain unresolved, including borders, Israeli settlements, Palestinian refugees, and control of Jerusalem.
This brief historical summary provides context for the origins of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Arabs. The history is long and complex, and this overview simplifies many details. But in broad strokes, the biblical record shows this land was promised to Abraham and his descendants, became the homeland of the ancient Israelites, and remained a focal point for the Jewish people through successive centuries even after exile and diaspora. Conflicting claims between Jewish nationalism and Arab (Palestinian) nationalism arose in the 20th century as the Jewish people pursued reestablishing a homeland. The situation today is the continuation of that tension. Looking ahead, Christians look to God’s promised future restoration of Israel (Romans 11:25-27), though the path forward remains challenging.
The Bible forms the basic backdrop for this history. Though the specific terms “Israel” and “Palestine” are modern, the roots of conflict between Israelis and Palestinians have connections back to biblical times. Appreciating this history from a biblical perspective can help one make sense of the complex dynamics between these two peoples.
Key biblical passages illuminating this history include:
– Genesis 12:1-7 – God’s promise of the land to Abraham
– Genesis 15:18-21 – God’s promise to give the land of Canaan to Abraham’s descendants
– Exodus and Joshua – The conquest of Canaan under Moses and Joshua
– 2 Samuel 5 to 1 Kings 11 – The kingdom under David and Solomon
– 1 Kings 12 – Division of kingdom between Rehoboam and Jeroboam
– 2 Kings 17 – Fall of northern kingdom of Israel to Assyria
– 2 Kings 24-25 – Fall of southern kingdom of Judah to Babylon
– Ezra and Nehemiah – Return from exile and rebuilding of Jerusalem
– Luke 2 to Acts 1 – Ministry of Jesus Christ in Judea/Samaria
– Romans 11:25-27 – Prophecy of Israel’s future redemption
Though sketched broadly, the history between Israel and the Arabs living in Palestine has its origins in events and themes that unfold in the biblical narrative. The Bible provides an indispensable lens for properly understanding the foundations of the Mideast conflict involving God’s promised land.
This overview summarizes the long biblical history relating to the land of Israel and Palestine. It highlights key periods and events that laid the groundwork for Jewish-Arab tension over this territory. The biblical record emphasizes God’s covenant purposes for this specific land and His plans for restoring His chosen people. Appreciating this perspective from Scripture brings insight into the essence of the conflict over this precious land.
Though complex geopolitical issues divide Israelis and Palestinians today, the Bible helps get to the heart of the land issue. God set this land apart for His redemptive plan for humanity through the seed of Abraham. That singular choice of this particular territory for His work lies at the core of discord over this area through the ages. When viewed through a biblical lens, the clashing claims of Jews and Arabs become part of a larger tapestry God is weaving across history. Grasping that big picture perspective is crucial for understanding the meaning behind the strife between Israel and Palestine.
The Bible explains that this territory is much more than just a plot of land in the Middle East. It is the stage on which the great drama of salvation unfolds. Knowing this underscores for us the importance of Israel, Palestine, and the Holy Land from God’s vantage point. His purposes span the centuries, moving toward the day when His kingdom comes and His will is done on earth as it is in heaven. Maranatha!