What was the name Israel mean?

Answer 1

Israel is a combination of two Hebrew morphemes: "ysr" and "el".

"El" means god, and when added to "ysr" it translates as: "of god". However, "ysr" can have many meanings and below are some of them.

1) It might come from the root S.R.R. So this may mean "rule", "prince", thus the whole name means "he who rules with god" ("thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed", Genesis 32:28 KJV).

2) It might come from the same root (S.R.R) in the meaning of "strive" or "struggle", thus it all means "he who struggles god", referring to the event in which his name was changed.

3) It might come from the root Y.SH.R, means "straight", "honest" or "righteous man", thus the name means "honest man of god", or something like that.

Hope I helped! :D

Answer 2

The meaning of the name Israel is given in the Torah itself: "You (Jacob) struggled with men (your enemies), and with angels, and you prevailed" (Genesis 32:29). It was Jacob whom God gave the additional name of Israel (Genesis ch.35). See also:

More about Abraham, Isaac and Jacob

Answer 3

Israel comes from the Hebrew name יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisra'el)meaning "God contended".

Answer 4

The official etymology of Yis'rael is 'he who struggles with god'.

The full story is rather more interesting.

Answer 5

Prince of God, Champion of God, and God will prevail. All are correct facets of meaning.

Answer 6

Israel comes from the Hebrew Yisrael (ישראל) which means "He who struggles with God".