Jewish rabbi gives unbiblical view of the ‘lost tribes’–but YOU can know the truth

Are the Jews that are returning to Israel the ‘lost ten tribes’? What makes one a Jew? What makes one a physical descendant of Israel?

Israel365News published the following:

“We are Ephraim”: Christians claiming to be the lost tribes are reviving replacement theology, rabbi warns

November 3, 2026

Across America and Britain, thousands of Christians who love the Bible and stand with Israel have come to a startling conclusion about themselves: they are Israel. Members of the Two House, Ephraimite and British Israelite movements believe they descend from the ten tribes carried off by Assyria 2,700 years ago, and that their love of the Hebrew Bible is the stirring of ancient Israelite blood. Rabbi Elie Mischel, Director of Education at Israel365, says he meets them constantly and admires their passion. He also says their belief is replacement theology in a new costume. …

The Kingdom That Vanished

After the reign of King Solomon, the nation of Israel split in two. The southern kingdom of Judah included the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, along with many Levites. The larger northern kingdom of Israel held the other ten tribes. In 722 BCE, the Assyrian Empire conquered the north and exiled its people to the region of today’s northern Iraq, Kurdistan, Syria, and Iran (2 Kings 17:6). Judah later went into Babylonian exile as well, and after 70 years, Cyrus allowed the Jews to return and rebuild Jerusalem.

“But the ten northern tribes had no such return,” Rabbi Mischel said. “There is no grand homecoming in the Bible for those ten tribes. They were scattered among the nations. And as the generations passed, they seemed to simply vanish from history.”

Never Entirely Lost

Rabbi Mischel pointed to biblical evidence that the ten tribes were never completely lost. Generations after the Assyrian exile, God sent Jeremiah to call the northern exiles home: “Return, faithless Israel, declares the LORD. I will not look on you in anger, for I am faithful” (Jeremiah 3:12). When King Josiah held his great Passover in Jerusalem, it was celebrated by “all Judah and Israel who were present” (2 Chronicles 35:18). The Sages teach (Megillah 14b) that Jeremiah personally brought back a portion of the ten tribes.

“It means that we Jews today actually carry within us members of every single one of the twelve tribes mixed into the nation,” he said. “What we lost was the bulk of those ten tribes as distinct, identifiable, separate groups. We do have them among us. We just don’t know who they are.” …

The Oldest Error

Replacement theology, known to scholars as supersessionism, holds that God divorced Israel and transferred His covenants to the church. In its classic Catholic/Christian form, God grew weary of Israel’s disobedience and its rejection of Jesus, revoked His promises to the Jewish people, and replaced them with a new people.

The doctrine took shape in the second century CE as the young church, increasingly Gentile, competed with the synagogue over the inheritance of the Hebrew Bible. Around 160 CE, the Christian apologist Justin Martyr told a Jew in his Dialogue with Trypho that Christians are “the true spiritual Israel,” and that the prophecies are contained in “your Scriptures, or rather not yours, but ours.” When Christianity gained the power of Rome, the doctrine gained the power of law. https://israel365news.com/422417/we-are-ephraim-christians-claiming-to-be-the-lost-tribes-are-reviving-replacement-theology-rabbi-warns/

The rabbi errs not knowing the scriptures nor the promises of God.

The identity of the so-called ‘lost tribes’ has nothing to do with what is called “replacement theology.” The rabbis pointing to something from the apostate Justin Martyr is a red herring argument. Justin had nothing to do with the identity of those tribes and their physical descendants. The rabbi, and the rest of the article, left out prophecies that prove that the physical descendants of the lost tribes are more than some Jews.

Now, here are some passages from our free eBook Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America?:

The Bible teaches that Jacob, the son of Isaac and grandson of Abraham, had twelve sons (Genesis 35:22). After Jacob’s name was changed by God to Israel (Genesis 32:28), the families of his sons came to be known as the tribes of Israel (Genesis 49:28).

Jacob/Israel also adopted Ephraim and Manasseh, the two sons of his son Joseph, as his own children (Genesis 48:3-5), making thirteen tribes. The tribes then being, Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Zebulun, Issachar, Dan, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Benjamin, Manasseh, and Ephraim.

All these tribes were part of the ancient kingdom of Israel as ruled by King Saul, then David, and then Solomon roughly 3000 years ago.

After the death of Israelite King Solomon, the kingdom was divided. In the 10^th century BCE, the prophet Ahijah told a rebelling leader named Jeroboam that God was giving him ten tribes to rule (1 Kings 11:31). Those tribes became the Kingdom of Israel/Samaria, with the other remaining tribes becoming the kingdom of Judah. Although all those tribes are not yet together again, they are prophesied to be together in the future (Hosea 1:10-11). …

Some believe that one or more of the tribes of Israel ended up in the British Isles. It is not a new idea. The French Huguenot magistrate M. le Loyer’s The Ten Lost Tribes, published in 1590, provided one of the earliest expressions of the belief that the Anglo-Saxon, Celtic, Scandinavian, and associated peoples were the direct descendants of the Old Testament Israelites.[i] Yet, there are also historical references asserting the British-Israel connection in 6^th [ii] and 10^th [iii] century as well as in later documents. There is even a related reference attributed to Cornelius Nepos of the 1^st century BCE,[iv] as well as a reference of Israelites being in parts of America in the 17^th century.[v]

The theory of connecting biblical prophecies to peoples of the British Isles has been called British-Israelism or Anglo-Israelism. British-Israelism attained additional prominence in the 19^th century and into the 20^th century.

Yet, many have dismissed such connections.

For example, the late Protestant Walter Martin, claimed that part of the book of Amos disproved Anglo-Israelism as he wrote:

The coup de grace to Anglo-Israelism’s fragmented exegesis is given by the prophet Amos of Judah … (Amos, dwelling in Bethel, prophesied against Israel’s restoration as a separate kingdom [Amos 9:8-10]). We learn from this prophecy that as a kingdom, the ten-tribes were to suffer destruction, and their restoration would never be realized. How then is it possible for them to be ‘lost’ and reappear three millenniums later as the British Kingdom when that Kingdom was never to be restored?[vi]

Dr. Walter Martin’s conclusion is in biblical error.

We can prove that, even using a Protestant translation of the Bible. So, let’s actually look at what Amos 9:8-10 teaches:

⁸ “Behold, the eyes of the Lord God are on the sinful kingdom, And I will destroy it from the face of the earth; Yet I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob,”

Says the Lord.

⁹ “For surely I will command, And will sift the house of Israel among all nations, As grain is sifted in a sieve; Yet not the smallest grain shall fall to the ground. ¹⁰ All the sinners of My people shall die by the sword, Who say, ‘The calamity shall not overtake nor confront us.’  (Amos 9:8-10)

Therefore, Amos 9:8-10 teaches that God would make it so the ancient kingdom of Israel would no longer be able to exist (it still does not), that those of the house of Jacob would still remain (their descendants still do), that the Israelite people would be sifted through many nations (which they have been), and that the sinners among them will be correctively punished (which will happen). Since that is true, actual Bible believers would tend to state that Amos 9:8-10 supports, and does not disprove, what has been called Anglo-Israelism or British-American Israelism. That does not mean all ten tribes became the British Empire like some have improperly claimed, but mainly one sifted tribe (Ephraim) became the British, and one other (Manasseh) became the U.S.A.

Furthermore, Hosea 1:6-7 prophesied that God would “utterly take away” the “house of Israel,” while allowing Judah to remain. This happened beginning later in the 8^th century B.C.E. when Israel was defeated by the Assyrians (2 Kings 17:3-12).

Perhaps it should also be noted that Jeremiah 51:5-6, especially when compared to Revelation 18:2-6 and Ezekiel 37:15-26, shows that into the present time that God still considers that Israel is separate from Judah. Therefore, despite comments from religious critics, the Bible does teach many aspects of “Anglo-Israelism.”

Some Protestant critics have stated that since Jews are also called Israelites in the New Testament, that the Israelites are all Jews. But the reality is that while all ethnic Jews sprang from Israel (and thus are Israelites in that sense) most Israelites (like most of the other tribes) are not Jews.

[i] Brackney WH. Historical Dictionary of Radical Christianity. Scarecrow Press, 2012, p. 61

[ii] Giles JA, editor and translator. The Works of Gildas and Nennius. James Bohn, 1841, p. 22

[iii] Cowan EJ. Myth and Identity in Early Medieval Scotland. The Scottish Historical Review, Vol. 63, No. 176, Part 2, Oct., 1984, pp. 123-124

[iv] Sadler S. RIGHTS of the KINGDOM: OR, CUSTOMS Of our ANCESTORS. London, 1682, p. 35

[v] Ibid, p. 106

[vi] Martin W. The Kingdom of the Cults.  Baker Books, 2003, p. 518

Now, what about prophecies and scripture? Notice more from our free eBook Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America?:

Supposedly Fulfilled?

Most published biblical commentators understand the passages from Jacob to his descendants in Genesis 48 & 49 to be prophetic, yet many seem to conclude that they have been fulfilled long ago.

Jacob specified that his statements to his sons were for the “last days” (Genesis 49:1). Despite that fact, notice what the late renowned Protestant theologian John F. Walvoord wrote to “justify” that they were fulfilled in Old Testament times:

Genesis 49:1-28 … In connection with Zebulun, Jacob predicted, “Zebulun will live by the seashore …” (v. 13). Though Zebulun would not border the sea, it would be near enough …

Gad … (v. 19) … may refer to this (cf. 1 Chron. 5:18-19)

In general, the prophecies that Jacob bestowed on his children have been fulfilled in their subsequent history.[i]

Those writings are outrageous from one who claimed to believe the Bible!

Also in his book, Dr. Walvoord improperly claimed that the prophecies about Naphtali, Asher, and others had fulfillment in Old Testament times,[ii] which was not the case.

Last days prophecies were not fulfilled 2,500 to 3,000 years ago as Dr. Walvoord and various others have improperly taught.

Carefully notice that Dr. Walvoord falsely asserted that although Zebulun was not at the sea, this prophesy was to be “near enough” to it, apparently to be fulfilled by the 10^th century BCE.

For those willing to believe the Bible that is easily disprovable.

First, let’s quote the prophecy to Zebulun’s descendants:

¹³ “Zebulun shall dwell by the haven of the sea; He shall become a haven for ships, And his border shall adjoin Sidon. (Genesis 49:13)

Let’s look at a map of the ancient tribes:

Ancient Israel Shown with Tribal Borders (Wikipedia)

The fact is that Zebulun was almost as far from any sea as any tribe could be on that map. It is among the least likely tribes to be a “haven for ships” in its ancient holy land location.

Thus, the prophecy in Genesis 49 had to involve Zebulun relocating away from its Palestine/Israel area location 3,000 or so years ago. The same is true for most of the other tribes as well for the biblical prophecies about them to be fulfilled.

Furthermore, consider that Ephraim and Manasseh were prophesied by Jacob to become a great nation and multitude of nations (Genesis 48:19). But that did not happen prior to Israel’s captivity c. 722/721 BCE. Nor, did they otherwise end up as a great nation and multitude of nations until the 19^th century.

The Bible shows it was during the time of the New Testament that the “last days” began (Acts 2:17, Hebrews 1:2), and no commentator has been able to properly demonstrate how else the prophecies of Genesis 49:1-27 were fulfilled in the “last days.”

Those of us who truly believe what the Bible says realize that the last days promises had to be fulfilled after Jesus came to earth and thus, some of us have looked into more recent history to point to their fulfillment.

Admissions from the Jewish Encyclopedia

Although it opposes Anglo-Israelism, notice that the old Jewish Encyclopedia admits the Hebrew scriptures support many parts of it (bolding mine):

The theory of Anglo-Israelism is based upon an extremely literal interpretation of the Old Testament … and by an application of texts brought together from the prophecies about Israel … It is pointed out that while in the prophecies Israel will change his name (Hosea, i. 9), be numberless (ibid. ii. 1), dwell in islands (Isa. xxiv. 15) with colonies and be the chief of the nations (Micah, v. 8), Judah will be a byword (Jer. xv. 4). The “isles” (Isa. xli. 1, xlii. 4), to which Israel was banished, were to be north (Jer. iii. 12) and west (Isa. xxiv. 15) of Palestine, and to be in a cold climate, since it is said: “Heat nor sun will smite them” (Isa. xlix. 10). It was further prophesied that the isles would become too small for Israel (Isa. xlix. 19) and that Israel should be a nation and company of nations (Gen. xxxv. 11). It would, therefore, have colonies (Isa. xlix. 20, liv. 3), so that it might surround the nations (Deut. xxxii. 7-9) and be above them all (Deut. vii. 6, xiv. 2, xxviii. 1). … The Anglo-Israelites triumphantly ask, “What nation save England corresponds to all these prophetic signs?”

In further confirmation it is pointed out that one of the tribes of Manasseh was to become an independent nation (Gen. xlviii. 19): the United States obviously represents Manasseh. Both Ephraim and Manasseh shall … (“push the people together”) in the countries into which they spread (Deut. xxxiii. 17). …

The promise that Israel “shall possess the gates of his enemies” (Gen. xxii. 17, xxiv. 60) is taken to be fulfilled in the possession by England of Gibraltar, Malta, Heligoland, Aden, and Singapore. Finally, it was prophesied that Israel should bear another name (Isa. lxv. 15) and speak another tongue (Isa. xxviii. 11). All these characteristics of Israel, as distinguished from Judah, are fulfilled, it is contended, in England, its colonies, and the United States.[iii]

Yes, those of us who believe that biblical prophecies will literally come to pass will accept proper understanding of “Anglo-Israelism.”

[i] Walvoord JF. The Prophecy Handbook. Victor Books, Wheaton (IL), 1990, pp. 31-33

[ii] Ibid, pp. 32-33

[iii] Jacobs J. Anglo-Israelism. In: Jewish Encyclopedia. Funks and Wagnalls, 1901, pp. 600-601

Note that even the old Jewish Encyclopedia admits the scriptures support the view of Anglo-Israelism–the view that the British are descended from the tribe of Israel–if someone literally believes what the Bible teaches!

And while the writing about the tribe of Zebulun is only one example, there are more biblical prophecies and more details on the other tribes in the free eBook Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America? for those interested in the truth about these matters.

Related those matters, the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) put together the following Bible News Prophecy video on our Bible News Prophecy: