The Hebraic Indian theory was a popular theory in American history that claimed that indigenous Americans were descendants of the ten lost tribes of Israel. This theory was used to support various political and religious positions, including Christian millennialism, national expansion, trade policies, Jewish rights, sovereignty in the Americas, and scientific exploration.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 01 October 2022
Publisher: New York University Press

The Hebraic Indian Theory and the Search for Indigenous American Descendants of the Lost Tribes of Israel

The Hebraic Indian theory, which posited that indigenous Americans were descendants of the ten lost tribes of Israel, has been a topic of speculation since the arrival of Europeans in the Americas in 1492. This theory provided an explanation for why the Americas and their inhabitants were not mentioned in the Biblical record. While the theory may seem far-fetched today, it had significant influence over a long period of American history.

In her book, "In Old Canaan in a New World," Elizabeth Fenton explores the Hebraic Indian theory and its impact on American history. She argues that while the theory may seem far-fetched today, it had a great deal of currency and significant influence over a very long period of American history. The theory was used to support political and religious positions on diverse issues, including Christian millennialism, national expansion, trade policies, Jewish rights, sovereignty in the Americas, and scientific exploration.

Fenton's analysis of a wide collection of writings, from religious texts to novels, sheds light on a rarely explored but important part of religious discourse in early America. The Hebraic Indian theory evolved over the course of two centuries, revealing how religious belief and national interest intersected in early American history.

The theory's proponents believed that the indigenous Americans were the lost tribes of Israel who had been dispersed after the destruction of the First Temple in Jerusalem. They believed that the Americans had preserved their Hebrew language and customs and that they were waiting for the return of the Messiah to reclaim their land. This belief was used to justify colonialism and the exploitation of indigenous peoples.

However, the theory was also challenged by some who argued that there was no historical or linguistic evidence to support it. They pointed out that the indigenous languages of the Americas were different from the Hebrew languages of the Middle East and that there was no evidence of a mass migration of people from the Middle East to the Americas.

Despite these challenges, the Hebraic Indian theory continued to have a significant impact on American culture and society. It was used to justify the colonization of indigenous lands and the exploitation of indigenous peoples. It was also used to promote the idea of a Christian nation and the superiority of European culture over indigenous cultures.

In conclusion, the Hebraic Indian theory was a powerful and influential idea that played a significant role in American history. While it may seem far-fetched today, its impact on American culture and society cannot be denied. Fenton's book provides a valuable insight into this rarely explored but important part of religious discourse in early America.

Weight: 394g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781479820481