What is the British-Israel Theory?

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Azahari Hassim

The British-Israel Theory, also known as British-Israelism, is a belief system that claims that the people of the British Isles, specifically the Anglo-Saxon peoples, are the direct descendants of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel. This theory emerged in the 19th century and has since been associated with various religious and nationalist movements.

Historical Background

1. Emergence: The concept began to take shape in the late 19th century, particularly during the period of British imperial expansion. As the British Empire expanded, some individuals began to draw parallels between the successes of the British Empire and the biblical narrative of the Israelites.
2. Influence of Christianity: The theory was largely propagated by Protestant Christian groups who saw it as part of a divine plan. They believed that the Anglo-Saxon people were chosen by God, analogous to the chosen people of Israel in the Bible.
3. Notable Figures: Important proponents of the theory include John Wilson, who published “Our Israelitish Origin” in 1840, and the British-Israelites, a group that promoted these ideas through pamphlets, books, and public lectures.

Key Tenets

1. Identity of the Lost Tribes: According to this theory, the ten tribes of northern Israel, which were conquered by the Assyrians and subsequently “lost” to history, migrated to Europe and eventually settled in Britain. Proponents often claim that the Anglo-Saxon peoples embody the essence of these tribes.
2. Biblical Connections: Advocates frequently cite various biblical passages to support their claims, believing in a direct lineage from biblical figures and asserting that historical events align with the narrative of the Israelites.
3. Divine Destiny: The theory often intertwines with notions of predestination, suggesting that Britain has a special role in world history and fulfills biblical prophecies, particularly those relating to the Second Coming of Christ.

Cultural Impact

1. Militarism and Nationalism: The theory found particular resonance in the context of British nationalism during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, at a time when there was considerable interest in imperial expansion and identity.
2. Movement and Organizations: Various groups have emerged from the British-Israel theory, including the British Israel World Federation and other smaller sects. These groups often promote a blend of theology, history, and nationalism.
3. Criticism and Controversy: The British-Israel theory has faced significant criticism from historians, theologians, and geneticists alike. Many argue that it reflects a misinterpretation of both biblical texts and historical evidence. Critics label it pseudohistory and point out that genetic studies do not support the claims of a direct line from the Ten Lost Tribes to the modern British population.

Modern-Day Relevance

In contemporary times, some groups continue to espouse British-Israelism, often aligning it with nationalist or even supremacist ideologies. However, it remains largely marginalized within mainstream academic and religious discourses.

Summary

In summary, the British-Israel Theory is a controversial belief that links the Anglo-Saxon people to the ancient Israelites, positing a connection that is both historical and theological. While it has played a role in the development of certain nationalist sentiments, it remains controversial and lacks empirical support from the academic community.

The British-Israel theory (also known as Anglo-Israelism) is the belief that the people of Great Britain (and sometimes other Western European nations) are descended from the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel. This theory was popularized in the 19th and early 20th centuries, with various scholars, theologians, and writers commenting on or promoting the idea. Below are some notable scholars and figures who have addressed or been associated with the British-Israel theory:

1. John Wilson (1782–1875)

A Scottish theologian and one of the earliest promoters of British-Israelism.

Quote: “The Saxons, the Danes, and the Normans are all of the same stock, and their ancestors may be traced to the lost tribes of Israel.” (Lectures on Our Israelitish Origin, 1840)

2. Edward Hine (1825–1891)

A leading British-Israelite writer in the 19th century.

Quote: “The people of the British Isles are the literal descendants of the lost House of Israel, and the promises given to Abraham have been fulfilled in them.”

3. Rev. Joseph Wild (1834–1908)

A Canadian preacher who wrote extensively on British-Israelism.

Quote: “England is the land of Joseph, and her people are the people of the lost tribes. The marks of Israel are upon the Anglo-Saxon race.”

4. William Pascoe Goard (1863–1937)

A leading British-Israelite scholar and writer.

Quote: “The throne of David has been preserved in the British monarchy, fulfilling the divine covenant that David’s descendants would reign forever.”

5. J.H. Allen (1847–1930)

An American advocate of British-Israelism.

Quote: “The Saxons are Isaac’s sons, and the promises to Israel have found their fulfillment in the Anglo-Saxon race.” (Judah’s Scepter and Joseph’s Birthright, 1902)

6. Herbert W. Armstrong (1892–1986)

Founder of the Worldwide Church of God and a proponent of British-Israelism.

Quote: “The United States and Britain are the modern descendants of Ephraim and Manasseh, the birthright nations of Israel.” (The United States and Britain in Prophecy)

Criticism by Scholars

Many mainstream historians and theologians reject British-Israelism, arguing that it is based on pseudo-historical claims.

Professor Norman Cohn (1915–2007) (historian):

Quote: “British-Israelism is an example of how nationalist ideology can distort history to suit its own ends.”

The Rev. Canon W.H. Bennett (critic of British-Israelism):

Quote: “The theory is unsupported by serious scholarship and has no basis in biblical or historical fact.”

The Ten Lost Tribes of Israel

The following is an excerpt from A Popular Dictionary of Judaism by Lavinia and Dan Cohn-Sherbok.

TEN LOST TRIBES:

The tribes in the Northern Kingdom who were conquered by the Assyrians in 721 BCE. The ten Northern tribes almost certainly intermarried with the surrounding peoples and lost their separate identity. 2 Kings Chapter 17 maintains they were exiled by the river Gozan and the rabbis taught that they dwelt beyond the River Sambatyon. The Samaritans are probably descended from some of the tribes and, during the course of history, various other groups have been identified with ten lost tribes including the British, the Japanese, the Afghans, and certain Red Indian tribes.

The idea that the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel migrated to distant lands has led to various theories, some with historical evidence and others rooted in legend and speculation. Here’s a summary of how different groups, including the British, Japanese, Afghans, and certain Native American tribes, have been linked to the Lost Tribes:

1. British-Israelism (British)

Theory: British-Israelism, a belief that gained traction in the 19th and 20th centuries, holds that the British people, particularly the Anglo-Saxons, are descendants of the Ten Lost Tribes.

Justification: Some proponents cite linguistic similarities between Hebrew and English words.
The Stone of Scone, used in British coronations, is sometimes linked to the biblical Stone of Jacob.
The British monarchy is said to be a continuation of the Davidic line.
Some connect the movement of the Scythians (believed by some to be Israelites) into Europe with the eventual settlement of Anglo-Saxons in Britain.

Criticism: Mainstream scholars dismiss this theory as pseudohistory, lacking archaeological and genetic evidence.

2. Japanese-Israelite Theory

Theory: Some theories propose that the Japanese people or certain Japanese clans, such as the Shinto priestly families, descend from the Lost Tribes.
Justification:
Japanese customs resembling Jewish traditions, such as ritual purification, shinto priestly garments similar to the Jewish ephod, and some linguistic similarities.
The Hata clan, an ancient family of silk weavers, is believed by some to have Jewish ancestry.
The Torii gates in Shintoism are thought by some to resemble the gates of the ancient Temple in Jerusalem.
Criticism: Most scholars consider these similarities to be coincidental or due to cultural diffusion rather than direct descent.

3. Afghans (Pathans/Pashtuns)

Theory: The Pashtun (Pathan) tribes of Afghanistan and Pakistan are widely believed, especially among their own traditions, to be descendants of the Lost Tribes.

Justification: Many Pashtun tribal names, such as Yusufzai (“sons of Joseph”), resemble biblical names.
Their customs, such as circumcision on the eighth day, avoiding pork, and levirate marriage, are similar to Jewish practices.
Ancient Muslim historians like Al-Biruni and Ibn Khaldun recorded traditions connecting the Pashtuns to the Israelites.
DNA studies have been inconclusive, but some genetic markers have been found that could link them to the Middle East.

Acceptance: This is one of the more widely held theories, with support from some historical and genetic evidence.

4. Native American Tribes (Red Indians)

Theory: Certain Native American tribes, particularly among the Cherokee, Hopi, and some others, have been linked to the Lost Tribes.
Justification: Some early European explorers, such as James Adair, observed customs among Native American tribes that he believed were Jewish in origin (e.g., purification rituals, feasts similar to Passover, and the use of sacred names for God).
The Book of Mormon, in Mormon theology, teaches that some Native Americans descended from Israelite tribes that migrated to the Americas.
Some Native American oral traditions include references to a great migration from the East.

Criticism: There is no genetic or archaeological evidence to support the claim that Native Americans are directly linked to the Israelites. Most of their ancestry traces to Asia via the Bering Strait migration.

Conclusion

While the Pashtun (Pathans) have the strongest historical and traditional connection to the Lost Tribes, the British, Japanese, and Native American theories are mostly speculative.
Most scholars believe that the Lost Tribes assimilated into surrounding cultures, primarily in the Middle East and Central Asia.
The topic remains fascinating from a historical and mythological perspective, but genetic and historical evidence does not strongly support most of these claims.

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