In the Bible, the name "Israel" carries significant theological and historical meaning. It originally refers to the patriarch Jacob, who was given the name after wrestling with an angel (Genesis 32:28). The name "Israel" translates to "he struggles with God" or "God prevails," reflecting Jacob's encounter and transformation. This renaming signifies not only Jacob's personal struggle and relationship with God but also sets the stage for the broader narrative of the nation that would descend from him.Subsequently, "Israel" designates the collective group of descendants of Jacob, the twelve tribes that formed the nation of Israel. Throughout the Old Testament, Israel represents God's chosen people, with a covenant relationship established through figures such as Abraham, Moses, and David (Exodus 19:5-6, 2 Samuel 7:12-16). The term also carries implications of both promise and responsibility, as Israel is called to be a light to the nations (Isaiah 49:6) while often struggling with faithfulness to God. In a prophetic context, "Israel" can also refer to the remnant of faithful believers within the larger community, especially in New Testament teachings (Romans 9:6-8), indicating that the essence of being "Israel" transcends ethnic lineage to include all who are part of God’s covenant through faith.