A Jew is a descendant of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, specifically through the twelve tribes.
According to the Bible, the Jewish people trace their lineage to the patriarchs, beginning with God's calling of Abraham out of Ur and continuing through Isaac and Jacob. Les Feldick emphasizes that Jewish identity is primarily racial, based on bloodline, rather than religious practice. The covenant promises were given to these patriarchs, marking the start of the nation of Israel.
Genesis 12:1-3 — This is the initial call and covenant with Abraham, establishing him as the father of a new nation.
Genesis 28:13-14 — God repeats the covenant promises to Jacob, confirming the lineage.
The Bible identifies the Jewish people as descendants of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God called Abraham out of Ur and made a covenant with him, promising to make him a great nation (Genesis 12:1-3). This covenant was reaffirmed to Isaac and Jacob, establishing the twelve tribes of Israel. The nation of Israel is a distinct people, set apart by God, as seen in passages like Genesis 17:7 and Romans 9:4-5. The Bible also makes a clear distinction between Jews and Gentiles, as stated in Romans 3:29 and 10:12.
Les Feldick teaches that a Jew is first and foremost a descendant of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob through the twelve tribes. He emphasizes that Jewish identity is racial, based on bloodline, not merely a religious adherence. God set apart Abraham from his family and the idolatrous civilization of Ur, making him the father of the Jewish race. While a Gentile may embrace Judaism, that never makes them a Jew racially. Les also points out that the first real Jew by birth would be Isaac, since Abraham was originally a Syrian genetically.
The patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—are foundational to Jewish identity. God called Abraham and gave him covenant promises, which were repeated to Isaac and Jacob. These three men are the beginning of the nation of Israel (Clip 6). Les explains that the Jew comes out of this promised covenant line (Clip 3).
Les teaches that Jewish identity is primarily racial, based on bloodline. He states that even if a Gentile embraces Judaism, they become a Jew religiously but never racially (Clip 1). A Jew is first and foremost a unique race, and the law was given to that race, but it was their birth and bloodline that made them Jews (Clip 7).
Les explains that while Abraham is considered the father of the Jewish race, genetically Isaac would be the first real Jew by birth, being the son of promise (Clip 4). Abraham himself was originally a Syrian by blood, but by God's decree he became the father of the Jewish people (Clip 2).
Les points out that even the Arabs, who are next of kin through Ishmael and Esau, are still considered Gentiles in Scripture. Only those from the line of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are considered Jews (Clip 1).
The Birthright Explained: Why God Chose Jacob Over Esau
old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian, of Padam Aram the sister to Laban the Syrian. Now for those of you who are not acquainted with all of this in the Old Testament, remember that when Abraham first left Ur of the Chaldees, he went up the Euphrates River near the headwaters in what is now more or less eastern Turkey or Syria.
Jew and Gentile Distinction
Les emphasizes that the Bible divides humanity into Jew and Gentile, and that Gentiles who embrace Judaism are religiously Jewish but not racially. Even Arabs are Gentiles.
Abraham as Father of the Jewish Race
Les explains that the Jew begins with God separating Abram from his family in Ur, and technically Isaac is the first real Jew, though Abraham is called the father of the Jewish people.
Bloodline vs Religion
Les clarifies that a Jew is first a Jew by blood through the covenant line of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and then by religion. This establishes the racial basis of Jewish identity.
Isaac as First Jew by Birth
Les notes that Abraham was genetically a Syrian, but by God's call became the father of the Hebrew nation. Thus Isaac, the son of promise, is the first Jew by birth.
What It Really Means to Be Saved - Romans 10:9 Explained
There is no difference between the Jew and the Greek or the Gentiles for the same Lord, for the Jew as well as us, the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him. Now you remember when we were teaching back there in the Old Testament, I used to put my timeline on the board, and then you remember with the call of Abraham, I'd put another little line above the first one that God pulled o…
Patriarchs as Foundation
Les highlights that the names Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are the beginning of the Jewish nation, and the covenant promises were repeated to them.
Jews as a Unique Race
Les stresses that being a Jew is not just a religion but a unique race set apart by God; it is their birth and bloodline that make them Jews.
Genesis 12:1-3: Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
This is God's initial call to Abraham, setting him apart and promising to make him a great nation, which is the beginning of the Jewish people.
Genesis 28:13-14: And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
God repeats the covenant promises to Jacob, confirming that the Jewish lineage continues through him.
Romans 9:4-5: Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
Paul lists the privileges of the Israelites, showing that they are descendants of the fathers (patriarchs).
Romans 10:12: For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
This verse shows the distinction between Jew and Greek (Gentile), which is relevant to the question.
According to Les Feldick, a Gentile can embrace Judaism and become a Jew religiously, but they can never become a Jew racially. The Jewish race is determined by bloodline from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Les Feldick explains that Abraham is considered the father of the Jewish race, but technically Isaac, the son of promise, would be the first real Jew by birth since Abraham was originally a Syrian.
No, Les Feldick states that even the Arabs, who are next of kin through Ishmael and Esau, are still considered Gentiles in Scripture. Only those from the line of Isaac and Jacob are considered Jews.
Watch the Teaching: The Birthright Explained: Why God Chose Jacob Over Esau