US Trends

where in the bible does it say to support israel

The Bible does not contain a direct verse that says, in modern political terms, “Christians must support the State of Israel,” but it does include many passages about God’s relationship with Israel (the people) that some believers interpret as a call to support Israel today.

Below are the key texts usually mentioned, plus how different Christians read them.

Key Old Testament passages

  • Genesis 12:1–3 – God’s promise to Abraham
    God tells Abram He will make him into a great nation, bless him, and then says: “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse.” Many see this as a basis for blessing and “supporting” Abraham’s descendants, Israel.
  • Deuteronomy 7:6 – Israel as God’s chosen people
    Israel is called a “people holy to the Lord” and God’s “treasured possession,” highlighting a unique covenant relationship that some Christians believe continues in a special way to this day.
  • Prophetic restoration passages – return to the land
    Verses like Ezekiel 36:24 (“I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land”) and other restoration prophecies are seen by some as pointing to God’s ongoing purposes for Israel, sometimes linked to modern events.

Key New Testament passages

  • Romans 9–11 (especially 11:1, 11:25–26)
    Paul insists God has not rejected Israel and speaks of a future in which “all Israel will be saved.” This is often read as showing that Israel still has a role in God’s plan, which some Christians translate into a moral or spiritual obligation to stand with Israel.
  • Romans 15:27
    Paul notes that Gentile believers have shared in Israel’s spiritual blessings and thus “owe it to them” to share material blessings, which some take as a model for ongoing care and support for Jewish people in general.

Does the Bible command support for the modern State of Israel?

  • There is no verse that explicitly commands support for the modern political state of Israel as it exists since 1948; the Bible predates that nation-state by millennia.
  • Many pro‑Israel Christian interpretations argue that:
    • The promises to Abraham and Israel (Genesis 12; prophetic restoration texts) are still in force.
    • Supporting Israel (as a people and sometimes as a state) aligns with God’s promises and brings blessing.
  • Other Christian interpretations say:
    • The New Testament centers God’s covenant purposes in Christ and the multi-ethnic church, not any single modern state.
    • Christians should support justice, peace, and human dignity for both Israelis and Palestinians, without an unconditional theological mandate for one side.

How this shows up in today’s discussions

In current forum and church debates, you will see roughly three approaches:

  1. Strong theological support for Israel
    • Sees modern Israel as a direct fulfillment or stage of biblical prophecy.
    • Reads verses like Genesis 12:3 as still promising blessing to those who “bless Israel” and curse to those who oppose it.
  2. Critical or cautious view
    • Distinguishes sharply between “biblical Israel” and the modern state.
    • Holds that the Bible does not require support for any government’s policies, including Israel’s, and emphasizes evaluating actions by justice and mercy.
  3. Peacemaking focus
    • Emphasizes praying for all people in the region and supporting efforts that guard the lives and rights of both Israelis and Palestinians.
    • Points to Jesus’ commands to love enemies and be peacemakers as the primary New Testament “mandate.”

Putting it simply

  • Where it “says to support Israel” : People usually point to Genesis 12:1–3, Deuteronomy 7:6, various restoration prophecies (like Ezekiel 36), and Romans 9–11.
  • What is debated : Whether those passages mean supporting the modern state of Israel in all or most political conflicts, or whether they mainly speak to God’s covenant faithfulness and salvation purposes that now center on Jesus.

If you share more about whether you’re asking from a political, theological, or personal angle, the specific passages and viewpoints most relevant to you can be narrowed down further.