It is believed and accepted by most that a Jew is an individual who practices the religion of "Judaism".Others attribute the word "Jew" to an individual who embraces the religious, as well as social and cultural beliefs of the people. This could be through the claim of decent from the progenitor Jacob or through conversion.
In actuality,the term "Jew" derives from the patriach Judah, who was the fourth son of Jacob
Originally,one who was identified as a Jew belonged to the tribe of Judah. When the nation of Israel separated into two kingdoms, the name was also used to make a distinction between those who belonged to the Southern Kingdom called Judah,which was comprised of Judah and the much smallertribe of Benjamin,and those of the Northern Kingdom simply called Israel, which was comprised of the remaining ten tribes.(see 2 Chronicles10)In 722 B.C. the Assyrians carried the Ten Lost Tribes of the Northern Kingdom into captivity.(see 2 Kings 17:5)
After the Northern Kingdom's demise the term "Jew"began to be attributed to the remaining Southern Kingdom of Judah during the Babylonian captivity, and after the Restoration.
