Genetic evidence links Jews to their ancient tribe

Jerusalem Post (originally) ^ | November 20, 2002 | Judy Siegel

[Asher]

Genetic evidence links Jews to their ancient tribe

By Judy Siegel

JERUSALEM (November 20) - Genetic evidence continues to provide additional proof to the claims that the Jewish people are descended from a common ancient Israelite father: Despite being separated for over 1,000 years, Sephardi Jews of North African origin are genetically indistinguishable from their brethren from Iraq, according to The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

They also proved that Sephardi Jews are very close genetically to the Jews of Kurdistan, and only slight differences exist between these two groups and Ashkenazi Jews from Europe.

These conclusions are reached in an article published recently in the American Journal of Human Genetics and written by Prof. Ariella Oppenheim of the Hebrew University (HU) and Hadassah-University Hospital in Ein Kerem.

Others involved are German doctoral student Almut Nebel, Dr. Marina Faerman of HU, Dr. Dvora Filon of Hadassah-University Hospital, and other colleagues from Germany and India.

The researchers conducted blood tests of Ashkenazi, Sephardi and Kurdish Jews and examined their Y chromosomes, which are carried only by males. They then compared them with those of various Arab groups - Palestinians, Beduins, Jordanians, Syrians and Lebanese - as well as to non-Arab populations from Transcaucasia - Turks, Armenians and Moslem Kurds.

The study is based on 526 Y chromosomes typed by the Israeli team and additional data on 1,321 individuals from 12 populations. The typing of the Jewish groups was performed at the National Genome Center at HU's Silberman Institute of Life Sciences.

The Fertile Crescent of the Middle East was one of the few centers in which the transition from hunting-gathering to permanent settlement and agriculture took place. Genetic studies suggest that migrating Neolithic farmers dispersed their technological innovations and domesticated animals from the Middle East towards Europe, North Africa and Southwest Asia.

Studies of Y chromosomes have become powerful tools for the investigation of the genetic history of males, since these chromosomes are transmitted from fathers to sons.

Surprisingly, the study shows a closer genetic affinity by Jews to the non-Jewish, non-Arab populations in the northern part of the Middle East than to Arabs. These findings are consistent with known cultural links that existed among populations in the Fertile Crescent in early history, and indicate that the Jews are direct descendants of the early Middle Eastern core populations, which later divided into distinct ethnic groups speaking different languages.

Previous investigations by the HU researchers suggested a common origin for Jewish and non-Jewish populations living in the Middle East. The current study refines and delineates that connection.

It is believed that the majority of today's Jews - not including converts and non-Jews with whom Jews intermarried - descended from the ancient Israelis that lived in the historic Land of Israel until the destruction of the Second Temple and their dispersal into the Diaspora.

The researchers say that a genetic analysis of the chromosomes of Jews from various countries show that there was practically no genetic intermixing between them and the host populations among which they were scattered during their dispersion - whether in Eastern Europe, Spain, Portugal or North Africa.

A particularly intriguing case illustrating this is that of the Kurdish Jews, said to be the descendants of the Ten Tribes of Israel who were exiled in 723 BCE. to the area known today as Kurdistan, located in Northern Iraq, Iran and Eastern Turkey. They continued to live there as a separate entity until their immigration to Israel in the 1950s. The Kurdish Jews of today show a much greater affinity to their fellow Jews elsewhere than to the Kurdish Moslems.

(Source: The Jerusalem Post Newspaper)

[fishtank]

"Everyone know that Jews did not descent from the Ten (Lost) Tribes of Israel. The rest of the article is also breathless fiction."

Are you a British Israelist?

[Just mythoughts]

Actually, I left denominationalism, man's churches and traditions. Not a groupie, knew that there was more than what men were teaching. For Christ to say that the first warning of his return was "deception" I wanted to know what that deception was.

So I got a Bible (Companion Bible) a Strongs Concordance and started at the beginning.

And your denomination?


Still have so very much to learn, and if I find out something that I believe is wrong have no problem accepting I am wrong. It is not about me it is about what was Written that we as children of the Heavenly Father are suppose to know and do.

The first and most important thing I learned is that our Heavenly Father is in control and we flesh beings have a hard time seeing beyond flesh physical things.

It is Written "I have foretold you all things", and it was obvious to me that I sure didn't and don't know all things reason I keep studying the Word.

[syriacus]

Do you also love it when science disproves the Bible?

I love it when archaeologists find hard evidence that places and people that were mentioned in the Bible really existed.

I especially love it when the discoveries refute cynics' unfounded claims that those places and people didn't really exist.

Then again, I loved the story of the scientists (Warren and Marshall) who believed that bacteria contributed to the development ulcers. Close-minded scientists viewed their theory as preposterous.

So, I guess you could say, I'm happy when the truth emerges in many situations.

[DensaMensa]

}}"Everyone know that Jews did not descent from the Ten (Lost) Tribes of Israel. The rest of the article is also breathless fiction."

}Are you a British Israelist?

No, but what if I was? Just what is your hang up anyway?

The most elementary reading of Biblical history shows that Jews did not descend from the 10 Tribes of Israel which made up the so called Northern Kingdom. (They descended from the so called Southern Kingdom.) There is also no Biblical or other history to suggest those tribes either stayed there or assimilated with the Assyrians, as popular history (A division of Popular Mechanics) and uninformed Biblical fiction suggests.

Now tell us, just WHAT IS your agenda?

[fishtank]

In th elast 15 or so years I've been in the following denominations/churches, related to moving from city to city:

Evangelical Free
Bible church (Dallas Theological)
Christian & Missionary Alliance
Southern Baptist

My main teaching input about the errors of British Israelism have come from Dave Reagan (www.lamblion.com), Dave Hunt (The Seduction of Christianity), Zola Levitt (www.levitt.com) and the Jews for Jesus organization.

British Israelism is seriously wrong.

[Destro]

The Apostles went to the Greeks, Egyptians and some say to the Indians and Ethiopians and not to the Euro-Germanics who were converted by Greeks and Latins (and the first Germans were Arian heretics anyway).

[fishtank]

"No, but what if I was? Just what is your hang up anyway?"

You're not telling the truth. Your next paragraph reveals the falsehoods you hold.

"The most elementary reading of Biblical history shows that Jews did not descend from the 10 Tribes of Israel which made up the so called Northern Kingdom. (They descended from the so called Southern Kingdom.) There is also no Biblical or other history to suggest those tribes either stayed there or assimilated with the Assyrians, as popular history (A division of Popular Mechanics) and uninformed Biblical fiction suggests."

There are mentions of the ten tribes in the NT. Look at the articles I posted.

"Now tell us, just WHAT IS your agenda?""

British Israelism is a cultic doctrine tied in with neo-Nazism, Armstrongism, hate-for_Israelism and ignorant-white-boy-supremacism.

On top of that, I hate hate hate "Replacement Theology" which says that the church has replaced Israel. It is a cultic spawn from the pit of hell.

I do hope I've made myself clear.

[malakhi]

The most elementary reading of Biblical history shows that Jews did not descend from the 10 Tribes of Israel which made up the so called Northern Kingdom

You might want to take a look at this scripture.

The Levites left the kingdom of Israel for Jerusalem.

And the priests and the Levites that were in all Israel resorted to him from all places where they lived.
For the Levites left their common lands and their holdings and came to Judah and Jerusalem, because Jerobo'am and his sons cast them out from serving as priests of the LORD (2 Chronicles 11:13-14)

And we also see that so did members of all the other tribes.

And those who had set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel came after them from all the tribes of Israel to Jerusalem to sacrifice to the LORD, the God of their fathers.
They strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and for three years they made Rehobo'am the son of Solomon secure, for they walked for three years in the way of David and Solomon. (2 Chronicles 11:16-17)

Over a period of time, more people from the northern kingdom migrated south to Judah.

When Asa heard these words, the prophecy of Azari'ah the son of Oded, he took courage, and put away the abominable idols from all the land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities which he had taken in the hill country of E'phraim, and he repaired the altar of the LORD that was in front of the vestibule of the house of the LORD.
And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and those from E'phraim, Manas'seh, and Simeon who were sojourning with them, for great numbers had deserted to him from Israel when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.
They were gathered at Jerusalem in the third month of the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa. (2 Chronicles 15:8-10)

Corroborating these scriptural accounts, archaeological evidence shows a substantial increase in the population of Judah at this time.

Bottom line is, while the southern kingdom was predominantly of the tribe of Judah, there were people represented there from all twelve tribes. And therefore it is from all twelve tribes that modern Jews are descended.

This is not to say that other peoples are not also descended from the 10 northern tribes. But it does refute the notion that modern Jews are only from the tribe of Judah.

[fishtank]

Great post!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Destro]

I'm just practicing Sophoclesian methods of inquiry on you.

:)

No wonder the Athenians made him drink hemlock! It comes of as hostile on purpose to illicit a response.

[malakhi]

Thank you! :o)

[Just mythoughts]

What does Pentacost mean?

What was the purpose of Pentacost?

What was taught?

Where was it taught from?

Where exactly in Acts 2 does it say that the "lost sheep" were present. Acts 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them. "Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:


The words in Acts 2:22 "Ye men of "ISRAEL" is surely not your attempt to say that this refers to the "lost sheep". The apostles had not even began their travels. Yet the "lost sheep" were in the future to read these very words.

You have missed the whole point of Pentecost, what happened and what it represents yet in the future.

Check out what this word Israel in the greek is:

In Greek dictionary is 2475 is-rah-ale-ee'-tace; from 2474; an "Israelite", i.e. desc. of Israel (lit. or fig.): - Israelite.

2474; is-rah-ale'; of Hebrew or. [3478]; Israel (i.e. Jisrael), the adopted name of Jacob, including his desc. (lit. or fig.): Israel.


Israel is the name given to Jacob, Jacob/Israel is the father of the 12.

You of course are entitled to believe what you wish.

[DensaMensa]

}I do hope I've made myself clear.

No, but it doesn't really matter. I'm just a humble searcher for the truth. You seem to think you have found it, ignoring contrary indicators. Good luck, where ever you are headed.

[fishtank]

"You seem to think you have found it, ignoring contrary indicators. Good luck, where ever you are headed."

I can also smell condescension from a mile away.

[DensaMensa]

}Bottom line is, while the southern kingdom was predominantly of the tribe of Judah, there were people represented there from all twelve tribes. And therefore it is from all twelve tribes that modern Jews are descended.

Thank You. I have no doubt there was some level of intermingling between the tribes, and there is probably some small number of every tribe in every other tribe. But when speaking of peoples it's necessary to look at the "broad streams of history", not the individual rivulets. It is from these broad streams we make our generalizations known as history.

}This is not to say that other peoples are not also descended from the 10 northern tribes. But it does refute the notion that modern Jews are only from the tribe of Judah.

Indeed. Virtally every solid Biblical source and historical stream suggests the Southern Kingdom was made up of the tribes of Judah, Benjamin and Levi. The "strays" are not counted. {ggg}. But God keeps track.

[Just mythoughts]

Based upon what I have read on these post on this very day, "lost sheep" still applies.

[Just mythoughts]

Not that it might impact you, since it sounds that you are comfortable with what you are taught and believe, you might check out historical writings about Paul his travels, where John took Mary the mother of Christ.

Remember you are in control of your own mind and it might surprise you to find out what is on the other side of that line you have had drawn for you.

If not time will give the answers to both of us.

[Destro]

Lost sheep as in? The tribes mixed with the gentiles? Sure they did. Did these mixed give rise to your ancestors? No. Jesus was using a euphemisim. There is no lost tribes anymore--no more chosen people and the Old Testament as a guide book is finshed.

[DensaMensa]

}Lost sheep as in ... No. Jesus was using a euphemisim. There is no lost tribes anymore--no more chosen people and the Old Testament as a guide book is finshed.

The NT without the OT is just another interesting social commentary without solid roots or foundation. Look where Jesus told his Disciples to go FIRST ("Lost sheep of the House of Israel", which was not Jewish), then look where they went.

[Just mythoughts]

Keep your eyes wide open as the drama continues to unfold.

Someone has really told you some big ones if you think the Old Testment is finished. The wealth of information contained within the Old is what makes the New understandable.

"lost sheep" in that the majority don't have a clue who they are and more importantly what is about to follow in the days, months, and years ahead.

But as it is Written "these things need be".

Also Written that some blinded, some sent strong delusions so they would believe a lie, some know the truth and could care less and then those set aside ones "elect" that time is to be shortened for.