Religions and Mysticism

Religions and Mysticism

The Theology of the Promised Land A Biblical Critique of the Zionist Regime

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Ali Shabani 1
Milad Azami maram 2
1 Department of Religions and Mysticism, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, University of Tehran, Tehran.
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Comparative Religions and Mysticism, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
10.22059/jrm.2026.418489.630778
Abstract
The components of a certain "theology of the Promised Land" are discernible in the Hebrew Bible. The authors have sought to trace this theology—which, naturally, underwent changes and developments across different periods of biblical Judaism—from the formation of the idea of the "Promised Land" in the narrative of Abraham to the destruction of the First Temple. According to this theology, the God of history endeavoured to establish a model nation to serve as a guide for other peoples. For this purpose, that nation needed to possess a land. However, the nation’s settlement in the land is not capricious; rather, it conforms to the standards of divine justice: the former inhabitants had committed corruption, and therefore they would be defeated by another people. The settlement of this other people (the Israelites) in the land, and the continuation of that settlement, is contingent upon adherence to the Law and the administration of justice. Hence, whenever the people neglect these two, the land revolts, placing them on the verge of expulsion and exile. From this biblical theology, it is inferred that the Zionist regime lacks religious legitimacy, even if it employs religious metaphors, and that the path it has undertaken will lead to its own downfall and ruin.
Keywords
Hebrew Bible
Theology of the Land
Law
Justice
Zionist Regime
Subjects
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Religions and Mysticism
Volume 59, Issue 1
(Spring & Summer 2026)
September 2026
Pages 283-306