Individually the second name of Jacob; collectively the name of God’s ancient people; also of the ten tribes only. “Israelites” is a higher title than “Hebrews,” as seen in 1 Sam. 14:21, where the faithful “Israelites” are distinguished from the “Hebrews” that were at peace with God’s enemies, “Hebrews” merely being a name given by the heathen “Israelites,” referring to the promises made to them as the chosen people of God. The “Israel of God” (Gal. 4:16) are not the earthly descendants of Jacob, but the spiritual children of Abraham (Rom. 4:11).