I realize that any explanation of antisemitism risks being viewed as either overly simplistic or biased; however, I believe there are objective truths that can inform the reader sufficiently to encourage introspection and a constructive path forward.
Long before the Zionism of Theodor Herzl and reconstitution of Israel in 1948, the Jewish people have been feared, hated, vilified, and persecuted. Despite compromising a tiny percentage of the world’s population, they seem to garner a preponderance of global suspicion and animosity. Antisemitism ebbs and flows in the public eye yet remains a constant undercurrent, sometimes resulting in horrific events such as the Holocaust.
But why the Jews?
A brief historical summary of the Jewish people is necessary, yet this also is problematic insofar as accepting the veracity of the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) as a primary source. Most secular historians and archaeologists agree that the history provided in the Old Testament (not necessarily the existence or acts of God) is accurate, with external sources confirming its legitimacy. So, I proceed from this premise.
The Jews originated from the Hebrews, an ancient people whose origins commenced 3,500 years ago with Abram, a direct descendent of Noah’s son Shem, leaving Mesopotamia for Canaan:
“The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you’” (Genesis 12:1-3).
The Old Testament recounts the history of the Hebrews from Abram (later renamed Abraham in Genesis 17:5), through his son Isaac and grandson Jacob. Abraham is the first to be referred to as a “Hebrew” in Genesis 14:13.[1] The Hebrews in turn became known as the Israelites after God changed Jacob’s name to Israel (Genesis 23:28, 35:10) and conquered Canaan (ca. 13th c. B.C.). They became known as the Jews after their return from the Babylonian Exile (538 B.C.), because they originated from the Kingdom of Judah.[2]
Anti-Jewish sentiment began as early as the 3rd century B.C. in Alexandria, Egypt—particularly the writings of the Greek-speaking Egyptian priest Manetho, who:
“…turn[ed] the story of the Exodus upside down. In the Bible it is an act of liberation of the Jewish people by God from Egyptian bondage. In Manetho’s antibiblical history it is an expulsion of the Jews from Egypt at the command of the Egyptian gods, because their country ha[d] to be purified of unclean people.”[3]
Many more followed Manetho’s antisemitic ideology, resulting in the Jews being dispelled from Rome by Emperor Tiberius in A.D. 19, the destruction of the Jewish Temple by Emperor Titus in A.D. 70, the persecution and murder of Jews during the Crusades and throughout the Middle Ages, the extermination of 50% of Jews worldwide by the Nazis in the 20th century, and the current antisemitism we see today.
Reviewing the history of the Jews from a broad perspective, I propose four reasons why they may have been targeted for suspicion, hatred, and persecution:
- Their Monotheistic Beliefs
It’s difficult from a modern perspective to understand how “radical” a monotheistic perspective would have been in the ancient world. Polytheism was the dominant ideology of the day across varied cultures. Asserting there was only one God, above all other gods, was tantamount to a declaration of war.
- Their Assertion of Being God’s “Chosen People”
God’s call on Abram in Genesis 12:1-3, and subsequent declarations (Exodus 19:3-6; Deuteronomy 7:6; Psalm 135:4; Isaiah 42:6-7; Zechariah 2:8, et al), convinced the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Israel) that among the nations they were divinely chosen to be His people and carry His message. Of course, this is an affront other people groups who either believe all nations are equal or that THEY are the chosen people.
- Their Occupation of Canaan
Taking territory that belongs to others generally results in conflict. Israel did just when it occupied the land of Canaan in accordance with God’s promise and directive to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3 (“…to the land I will show you” – v. 1).[4] Yet the occupation would not occur until the 4th generation after Abraham:
“In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure” (Genesis 15:16).
Here we see a clue as to why God gave the land of Canaan to the Israelites: “…because of the wickedness of these nations” (Deuteronomy 9:5a). Objectively the Canaanites were a despicable people who engaged in idolatry, paganism, child sacrifice, rape, bestiality, and other evils.[5] According to Scripture, this was due in large part because of Canaan, the youngest son of Ham (second son of Noah), being cursed. Genesis 9 recounts Ham “looking upon his father Noah’s nakedness.” Rather than cover his father, Ham informed his brothers Shem and Japheth of their father’s nudity. This was taboo, and as a result Noah cursed Ham’s son Canaan and his descendants. Of Ham’s sons Cush, Egypt, Put and Canaan, why Noah cursed only Canaan is not clearly expressed in Scripture.[6]
- Their Influence in Finance, Culture, Academic, etc.
To think that a relatively small group of people would be so intimidating, even to the most powerful nations on earth, seems absurd. Yet from the mighty Egyptian and Roman Empires to the German Reich, to the bulk of Islam today, Jews have been blamed for the ills of society. Even the Protestant reformer, Martin Luther, took umbrage with the Jews:
“Let the magistrates burn their [Jews] synagogues and let whatever escapes be covered with sand and mud. Let them be forced to work, and if this avails nothing, we will be compelled to expel them like dogs . . .”[7]
German historian Klaus Fischer notes that when Jews entered Europe in large numbers during the Middle Ages…
“…they found themselves living among primitive Western people who were repelled by their superior intelligence and their clever business acumen. There was mutual contempt and hate…the two peoples were living geographically alongside each other, but they were immersed in different cultural stages.”[8]
Whether the Jews proclaimed themselves “superior” is moot. Their skills and tenacity made them highly successful and influential, which likely caused others to envy and despise them. This scenario continues to this day, with many Jewish people in positions of great power and influence, and the antisemitism that so often accompanies this success.
With the war in Gaza, a result of Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, we see another uptick in antisemitism. The ongoing conflict between “Palestinians” and Jews is for another blog that would address the more recent history of the Balfour Declaration and subsequent reconstitution of an Israeli state in 1948—the foundation of which is likely found in the information presented in this blog.
[1] From the Hebrew word עִבְרִי, which most often is translated as “a descendent of Eber” (meaning “region beyond”)—i.e., an immigrant.
[2] A more exhaustive narrative of the history of the Hebrews can be found HERE.
[3] Pieter van der Horst, Ph.D.— https://jcpa.org/article/the-egyptian-beginning-of-anti-semitism%E2%80%99s-long-history/
[4] This promise was reiterated to Isaac (Gen 26:1-3) and Jacob (28:13-14).
[5] According to Genesis 10:15-19, 15:18-21, the Canaanites were comprised of many people groups, known largely as the “ites” (Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Arkites, Sinites, Amorites, Hittites, Jebusites, Hivites, Perizzites, Rephaim, and Girgashites).
[6] There are various theories, one of which interprets Leviticus 20:11 as referring to an illicit union between Ham and his mother, the offspring of which was Canaan.
[7] Martin Luther, “Concerning the Jews and Their Lies,” 1543.
[8] Fischer, Klaus P. The History of an Obsession: German Judeophobia and the Holocaust. Continuum Publishing Co. 1998.
Topics for Future Blogs?
Email Me: richardaallenjr@pondering.blog
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