FINDING BIBLE TRUTH - BRITISH-ISRAEL


The British-Israel theory was first annunciated clearly in Britain in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, although the general idea had been in existance for centuries before. It is a theory that identifies the Anglo-Saxon race with the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel. It was claimed that promises given to Israel in Scripture would be fulfilled in Britain, America, and other Anglo-Saxon countries. The idea was carried over to America by radical Protestant groups seeking greater religious freedom. In its most extreme form America became their Canaan and it was considered a duty before God to take over the land and eject and if necessary destroy the native tribes.

Although rarely formally adopted in these days it remains a seminal influence in many Churches, particularly in Adventist, Millenialist and Pentacostal groups and their offshoots, and in the seriously racist Christian Identity movement. It has strongly influenced the Jehovah's Witnesses, the so-called Worldwide Church of God, cults such as David Koresh's Branch Davidians among many others. Mormons are taught that they comprise the true Israel, and that anyone who leaves the sect has no hope of Heaven.

Other strange ideas have developed from it including Pyramidalism - the belief that the pyramidal form was divinely introduced, and from it can be divined God's will for the future. Because James I of England was assumed also to be the King of Israel, the translation he ordered, the King James Version, is supposed to be the only authentic inspired version of the Bible.

The search for the Lost Tribes of Israel has led to many strange ideas. Basically when Assyria defeated the northern state of Israel, occupied by all the Hebrew tribes except Judah and Benjamin, its people were split up and deported wholesale to other parts of Assyria. As far as conventional history is concerned they disappeared completely, assimilated into the local populations. However claims have been made that their descendants have been found in many parts of the world - Afganistan, Russia, India, Japan, America, and the British Isles. The Rastafarian religion, originating in Jamaica, claims that the tribes ended up in Ethiopia, taking the Ark of the Covenant with them; that the Emperor Haile Selassie was divine, and the Ethiopians became God's chosen people.

There are a number of versions of how the Anglo-Saxons took over from Judah. One claims that Israel divided in two: the bad guys - the Ashkenasi - went to Russia, the good guys - Sephardim - went to Germany and thence to England. A more developed idea has the lost tribes moving through Germany to Ireland, thence to Scotland, and thence to England. In the process the ruling houses became descended from David and hence rightful heirs to the throne of David. The tribes of Judah and Benjamin lost any right to the benefits promised by God when they crucified Jesus, or in another version by intermarrying with non-Jews during the Babylonian exile.

THE TRANSFER OF THE THRONE OF DAVID TO IRELAND

British-Israelites suggest that about 580 B.C.E., the Throne of David was transferred from Israel to Ireland. The daughters of King Zedekiah, escaping the Babylonian captivity of Judah, were taken to Egypt by Jeremiah and his scribe Baruch (Jeremiah 43:4-7). It is claimed that they made their way to Spain, and from there to Ireland. It is said that one of the daughters, Tamar Tephi, married the Irish King Eochaidh (who also was supposedly Judean). Allegedly, Tamar Tephi took with her from Palestine ‘Jacob’s Pillar’, identified today with the coronation stone which was for a time held at Westminster Abbey. The current British monarchs, who are said to be the successors of Tamar Tephi and Eochaidh, are therefore considered the Kings and Queens of Israel.

LOST TRIBES MOVE TO BRITAIN

It is claimed that, during about the sixth century BC, the ten tribes of the Assyrian captivity migrated across Europe. Allegedly, they were known as the Scythians during Christ’s time. They became known as the Sacae, and finally as Saxons (Anglo-Saxons). Invading Britain in the sixth century from Germany, it is said that they made Britain the new Israel.

EVIDENCE

The main evidence for British-Israel claims is extracted from place-names and from names in ancient documents.For example the names Danube, Denmark, Danzig, are supposed to trace the movement of the tribe of Dan through Europe. The Tuatha de Danaan of Ireland are assumed to be the tribe of (again) Dan,(the name translates in fact to "people of the goddess Danu), a mythical Celtic figure. References in the earliest Anglo-Saxon literature are also said have Hebrew connections of similarly feeble validity.

It can be concluded that there is no real evidence at all! The only mystery is why people ever accepted the notion.


Charles Wyndham.
November 2005.

If you feel that some facts offered in these pages are in error, or some piece of analysis is logically faulty, I would appreciate hearing from you.
awyndham@bigpond.net.au

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