The Nevada Democrat., 1856-11-26
Hebrevv. Israel,te ana Jew.

1t may not be amiss to give some explanation
of these various names by which we are now
recognized, inasmuch as what appear as synon-
omous mark different epochs in the original his
tory of the natCn.
The Oldest expression, HeJresc, denotes spas
sing over;' wherefore, Abraham, who came
from MesOpotamia, was called the Hebrew; or,
perhaps because of his descent from Eber. The
sons of Jocktan having been called Ebrews, be-
sides the Israelites, who have thus been denoted
exclusively, ever since the time of Moses, may
possibly confirm this latter opinion. See the
note in Rev. j. Leeser's edition of the Bible,
which is reliable authority. Had not this ap-
plication of the term been made exclusively to
the Israelites, since their flight from Egypt, then
would all the posterity of Eber be denominated
Ebrews, being Peeg and Yoktan. and their de-
scendants. Abraham was the fifth generation
of Peieg and from Abraham descended Isaac
and Ishmael. The name Hebrew being given
to Abraham, of necessity his offspring became
entitled to the same; and by genealogy the Ish-
maeltes of Asia as fully merit the appellation
Hebrews" as the descendants of Isaac and Ja-
cob; which, however, is not accredited from
partiality the name being presumed to descend
only through the favored sons.
The term "Israelite, I" is derived from "Israel,"
meaning the "Prince of God"-the name given
to Jacob by the man with whom che wrestled
until the breaking Of the day." and the name
Israel" is as often used to denote the nation
as the term 'Israetes," the people All the
sons of Jacob became ''Israeltes," and, neces-
sarily, Hebrews" from their descent; yet, if
we account the persons who lived prior to Ja-
cob, Israelites, we commit chronological error.
The term "Jew," is derived from "Judah,"
signifying II will thank the Lord, }" and was the
name of Jacobs fourth son. 1t is the term most
frequently applied to the Israelite nation, and
has, in some measure, been brought into disre-
pute as name stigmatised by prejudiced gentle
writers; for many have thought fit to malgn
the race for the very faults which they forced
upon them.
Levi, the third son of Jacob, with Judah, are
the only two sons that the tribes of which are
recognized to be still in existence the other ten
having become lost. Their descendants should
be properly known, respectively, as Jews and
Levites. The former classification is lost; but
the latter prevails to distinguish them from the
tribes of Priests who are the offspring of Aaron.
The Levites and Priests are recognized to this
day, in the synagogues Levites, properly, are
not Jews any more than Jews are Levites yet,
the term "Jews" is applied to the whole race.
We simply intend to point out the epoch
when each name became engrafted upon the ma
ton, and illustrate the appellation.
The term "Hebrew' is now used mostly to
refer to the language: as we say, the Latin Ian
guage of the Romans. The term "Israelite" is
used in respectful addresses to one of the nation.
The term "Jew" is used generally, and attimes,
in reproach, while the man of true faith adopts
it in order to Danish the false prejudces which
surround it, Voice Of Israel.