America’s Founding Faith in Zion: How the Bible Shaped Proto-Zionism Before Herzl.

As the United States of America marks its 249th birthday, it is worth reflecting on a forgotten but profound truth: American support for Jewish restoration in the Land of Israel predates Theodor Herzl’s modern Zionist movement by nearly a century. This support was not political expediency but flowed naturally from the Hebrew Bible’s deep influence on America’s Founding Fathers, shaping their understanding of liberty, justice, and national destiny—and aligning them with the Jewish aspiration to return to Zion.

The Bible and America’s Founding: A Covenant of Liberty

The Hebrew Bible was a foundational text in colonial America, frequently cited in sermons, pamphlets, and letters. The Exodus narrative, in particular, was embraced as a blueprint for liberation, with America cast as the “new Israel” escaping the oppression of Pharaoh—paralleling the colonies’ struggle for independence from the British crown.

Though the Bill of Rights and Constitution were not direct replications of Mosaic law, the biblical principles of individual rights, moral accountability before God, and rejection of tyranny heavily influenced the Founders’ vision of governance. Early Americans saw themselves in covenant with God, charged with building a nation rooted in justice and moral order, much like the ancient Hebrews in their promised land.

This biblical consciousness created fertile ground for sympathy toward the Jewish people’s plight and their ancient connection to the Land of Israel.

George Washington on Jews:

“May the Deity who delivered the Hebrews from their oppressors and planted them in the promised land—whose agency has been conspicuous in establishing United States—make the inhabitants of every denomination participate in the blessing of that people.” pic.twitter.com/gZxIQbsM5a

— Dr. Eli David (@DrEliDavid) May 1, 2024

John Adams: A Proto-Zionist Visionary

In 1819, John Adams, America’s second president and a towering Founding Father, wrote to Jewish leader Mordecai Manuel Noah:

“I really wish the Jews again in Judea an independent nation, for, as I believe, the most enlightened men of it have participated in the amelioration of the philosophy of the age.”

For Adams, the Jewish people’s return to their ancestral homeland was not merely a political goal but a moral imperative, recognizing the Jewish contribution to the moral and intellectual progress of civilization. This proto-Zionist sentiment emerged nearly 80 years before Herzl convened the First Zionist Congress.

Was John Adams a proto-Zionist? Rabbi Meir Soloveichik tells the story of the 2nd president's incredible correspondence with one of America's most prominent Jews. (via @Commentary) pic.twitter.com/steUxHyKoL

— Tikvah (@tikvahfund) February 28, 2018

John Quincy Adams: Hope for Judea and Jerusalem

His son, John Quincy Adams, America’s sixth president, shared this vision. In 1844, he wrote to Jewish scholar Isaac Nordheimer:

“I believe in the rebuilding of Judea and Jerusalem.”

In these few words lies a world of conviction, rooted in biblical literacy and a belief in divine justice, affirming that the Jewish people would one day return to rebuild their homeland in freedom.

Early American Voices for Jewish Restoration

This proto-Zionist perspective was not isolated to the Adams family:

• Thomas Jefferson defended religious freedom for Jews in America, respecting their faith and natural rights.

• Benjamin Franklin advocated for Jewish inclusion within American society, aligning with principles of equality.

• Increase Mather, a leading Puritan minister, as early as 1669 argued for Jewish restoration to their land based on biblical prophecy.

• Mordecai Manuel Noah, America’s most prominent early Jewish leader, developed proposals for Jewish restoration in Israel, receiving positive signals from figures like President John Tyler and Secretary of State Daniel Webster.

The Bible’s Influence and America’s Proto-Zionism

The deep cultural and spiritual resonance with the Hebrew Bible made the American endorsement of Jewish restoration not merely a political idea but a moral alignment. Early Americans saw in the Jewish return to Zion a reflection of their own journey toward liberty and nationhood, viewing the Jewish struggle for restoration in Judea as part of the same divine narrative that inspired America’s founding.

This connection explains why, decades before Herzl’s political Zionism, American leaders expressed clear, unashamed support for Jewish sovereignty in the Land of Israel.

A Shared Vision of Freedom and Faith

In an age when Zionism is frequently misunderstood or misrepresented, it is vital to remember that the vision of a Jewish homeland in Judea and Jerusalem was once shared by the architects of American liberty themselves. They saw the Jewish people’s restoration not only as an act of justice but as the fulfillment of biblical prophecy aligned with America’s own covenantal identity.

JFK on #Israel: "It carries the shield of democracy and honors the sword of freedom" @StandWithUs #IsraElex19v2 #israelelections2019 pic.twitter.com/IyR5dHNRQx

— Michael Dickson (@michaeldickson) September 17, 2019

Conclusion: Rooted in Shared Destiny

As we celebrate America’s 249th birthday, we honor not only its enduring legacy of freedom but also the profound historical and spiritual ties that connect America’s founding values to the Jewish people’s return to Zion.

John Adams and John Quincy Adams stand as clear examples of early American proto-Zionists, proving that the desire for a restored Israel was alive long before it became a political reality. It was alive in the hearts of those who built America as a nation of faith, freedom, and divine purpose.

May the alliance between America and Israel continue to stand strong, rooted in the shared vision of freedom and faith passed down from the Bible through the American Founders to a modern Israel that fulfills ancient promises.