Black Hebrew Israelites

Black Hebrew Israelites
Family	New religious movements / Hebrew Israelite movements
Origin region	United States
Founding period	Late 19th and 20th centuries CE
Estimated adherents	Unknown; the term covers many independent groups with different teachings.

Black Hebrew Israelites is a broad term for movements teaching that Black people, or specific groups of African-descended people, are descendants of the ancient Israelites.

Overview

Black Hebrew Israelite groups are diverse and should not be treated as one unified organization. Many teach that Black people are the true descendants of biblical Israel and interpret the Bible through the history of slavery, exile, oppression, and restoration. Some groups are peaceful religious communities, while watchdog organizations and scholars distinguish them from extremist factions that teach racial hatred or antisemitism.

Key beliefs

Black or African-descended peoples are identified with biblical Israelites
The Bible is read through themes of exile, covenant, oppression, and restoration
Some groups observe Hebrew Bible laws, Sabbath, dietary rules, or festivals
Views of Jesus, Judaism, Christianity, and race vary widely between groups
Extremist branches are controversial and should not be treated as representative of all adherents

Practices

Bible study
Sabbath observance in many groups
Dietary restrictions in some communities
Street preaching or public teaching in some branches
Festivals modeled on Hebrew Bible observances

Places of worship

Congregations or camps
Homes
Public teaching spaces
Online communities

Sacred texts

The Hebrew Bible
The New Testament in many groups
Group-specific teachings and commentaries
Historical identity writings

Holidays and observances

Passover in many groups
Sabbath observance
Feasts from the Hebrew Bible
Group-specific commemorations

Branches and related traditions

Judaism - Black Hebrew Israelite movements use Israelite identity language but are distinct from mainstream Judaism.
Christianity - Many groups incorporate New Testament beliefs.
New Religious Movements - Many modern groups are studied as new or alternative religious movements.

References