"Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Israel Meaning in the Bible
Israel
boy
Israel means "He struggles with God", a boy's name of Hebrew origin. Israel appears in the King James Bible, and Genesis 32:28 is the passage most often tied to it. Represents persistence in faith and being transformed through encountering God.
Is Israel in the Bible?
Yes — Israel appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 32:28.
Pronunciation:/IZ-ray-el/
OriginHebrew
MeaningHe struggles with God
What does Israel mean?
Israel is a boy name of Hebrew origin meaning "He struggles with God". The name God gave Jacob after wrestling with Him all night, becoming the name of God's chosen nation.
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What does Israel mean in the Bible?
Israel means "He struggles with God" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
The name God gave Jacob after wrestling with Him all night, becoming the name of God's chosen nation.
Where does Israel appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Israel is connected to 1 key passage in the King James Bible, beginning with Genesis 32:28. Each verse is quoted in full below.
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Which books of the Bible mention Israel?
Israel is mentioned across 3 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Israel?
Represents persistence in faith and being transformed through encountering God.
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Israel:
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Word Meaning
Rock (צוּר (tsur))
A symbol of God's strength, stability, refuge, and unchanging faithfulness.
Word Meaning
Faithfulness (אֱמוּנָה (emunah))
Steadfast reliability and trustworthiness — firm, unwavering loyalty.
What names are related to Israel?
Names like Israel
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "He struggles with God" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Israel
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Israel
Download a printable name card with the KJV verse and meaning — perfect for Pinterest, Instagram, or a baptism keepsake.
Israel name meaning: frequently asked questions
Yes — Israel appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 32:28.
Israel means "He struggles with God." It is a Hebrew name. The King James Bible uses it in Genesis 32:28, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Hebrew. Israel comes into English from Hebrew and carries the sense "He struggles with God." It appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 32:28.
Common questions about the name Israel
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Israel?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Israel?
You can read every verse where Israel appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.