About Doctrines
Jew
A Jew is, of course, a member of the tribe of Israel. Most translations use the phrase "men of Judah" in the verse quoted above, but in modern usage, we use the terms Israelite and Jew interchangably.
There is a great irony in all of this. The word "Jew' is first used in Scripture in 2 Kings 16:6. It is an abbreviation or nick-name for one from the tribe of Judah. Since the Messiah is to come from that tribe, it has become over the centuries a nick-name for all Israelites. "Jew" and "Judah" mean "praise." The true Jew is one who lives in a praiseworthy attitude and manner by God's standards. God alone can determine who is the one who praises, because God alone knows the heart. God alone understands who is a "Jew."
