In my quick search I did not see the 2Kings references.  Thanks.  So would you agree that because of the dominance of the tribe of Judah after the division, that the word Jew slowly started applying to all the individuals living in the region of Judea?  And since the tribe of Benjamin was closely connected to Judah, the word Jew started applying to them as well (so too with the Levites there in Jerusalem)?  And since we are told the tribes of Judah, Benjamin and Levi went and rebuilt the temple (Ezra 1), the word Jew stuck for the people group.  Therefore, by the time of Jesus, the word Jew came to be in association with all individuals who upheld the dictates of the Law and the prophecies of the Prophets.

So would you agree by the time of Jesus we have three distinct groups: Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles?

Joe Napalm:

But I want to know how and when the "Jews" visited America. I find two possibilities. Some say it was during Solomon's time and others say during the Revolt of AD 66. I say the historical evidence is weak and the biological evidence is nearly non-existent.

Joe

I quote this just because we were all commenting at the same time and mine moved us to the second page.  And this is what the post is really about anyway!

Agree??? Nope. Or why do we get Yeshua's lineage? The clue is in Gracie's post. Those who are... know. The after effects of persecution is to not speak about what started the persecution! As one is proud to say "I am of the tribe of Yehuda", others are quick to say "Oh no, we are all the same" It's all quite fascinating! BTW- HI JOE!!!!!!

Fluffy Cow:

Agree??? Nope. Or why do we get Yeshua's lineage? The clue is in Gracie's post. Those who are... know. The after effects of persecution is to not speak about what started the persecution! As one is proud to say "I am of the tribe of Yehuda", others are quick to say "Oh no, we are all the same" It's all quite fascinating! BTW- HI JOE!!!!!!

I'll be honest, Fluffy, I am very confused.  You appear to be holding back something.

What do you not agree with?

*sigh* I'm not holding back anything... It's a response to your question: "So would you agree by the time of Jesus we have three distinct groups: Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles?" So... the original question (or thought) was about "lost" tribes, right? I did get off on a bit of a tangent... sorry... My thoughts are that they are not lost at all. Intermixed and assimilated perhaps, but not lost.

Fluffy Cow:

*sigh* I'm not holding back anything... It's a response to your question: "So would you agree by the time of Jesus we have three distinct groups: Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles?" So... the original question (or thought) was about "lost" tribes, right? I did get off on a bit of a tangent... sorry... My thoughts are that they are not lost at all. Intermixed and assimilated perhaps, but not lost.

I think your tangent threw me off.  Maybe a better question is, do you see a distinct difference between Jew and Gentile?  If so, at what point does someone with a distant relative who was a Jew become a Gentile?  Really, what I need is how you are defining your terms?

Hi.