Jews originate as a people from the ancient Israelites and Hebrews who lived in the land of Israel (also called Canaan or the Levant) over 3,000 years ago. Over time, Jewish communities spread widely, so today Jews come from many regions but share roots in that ancient Near Eastern population.
Ancient origins
Historically, Jews trace their origins to the Israelites, a group of Semitic- speaking tribes that formed the kingdoms of Israel and Judah in the southern Levant during the Iron Age. Archaeology, ancient inscriptions, and texts describe these Israelites living in the hill country of what is now Israel/Palestine, Jordan, and surrounding areas.
Land of Israel / Judea
The name “Jew” comes from “Judah,” originally the southern Israelite kingdom centered around Jerusalem, so the earliest “Jews” were people from Judea. This region, often called ancient Israel, Canaan, or the Judean highlands, is the geographic starting point of Jewish history.
Diaspora and later communities
After conquests and exiles in antiquity, Jews dispersed around the Middle East, North Africa, and later Europe and beyond, creating many distinct communities. Major groupings include Ashkenazi Jews (whose culture developed in Central and Eastern Europe), Sephardi Jews (with roots in Iberia and later the Mediterranean), and Mizrahi Jews (from Middle Eastern and North African lands), all preserving links to ancient Judea.
Genetics and culture
Genetic studies show that many Jewish communities share ancestry with other peoples of the Levant, supporting an origin in the ancient Near East despite later mixing with local populations. Jewish identity, though, is not only genetic; it is also defined by shared religion, history, and culture that began with the ancient Israelites in the land of Israel.
