Israel (Hebrew ישׂראל Yisra'el or Yiśrā’ēl, meaning "one who has struggled with God") was the name given to the biblical patriarch Jacob.
Some bible commentators have claimed that Israel is another name for Isaac rather than Jacob, or that it may mean either. This appears to be based on Amos 7:9, 16. But against this theory Genesis 32:22-28 clearly gives this name to Jacob, not to Isaac.
From this name is derived:
Israel is also a common given name. Famous people named Israel include:
- Israel, Australian singer
- Israel "Izzy" Asper, Canadian media magnate
- Israel ben Eliezer, Polish rabbi
- Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, Hawaiian singer
- Israel Kirzner, American economist
- Israel Putnam, American general
- Israel Regardie, British occultist
- Israel Shahak, Israeli author
- Israel Shamir, Israeli journalist
- Israel Isidore Baline, American composer
- Israel Newton Stiles, an American lawyer.
- Israel Newton and Sons Ltd, an engineering firm (including boilermaking) in Yorkshire in England.
