Same System of Days, Weeks and Calendar

Moses carefully described the day as starting in the evening and being followed by the morning or day as was the Israelite custom and law. In order words, the Israelites kept their day from sunset to sunset.

"And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day" (Genesis 1:5).

What may be surprising is the Celts did too. Caesar explains, "They count periods of time not by the number of days but by the number of nights; and in reckoning birthdays and the new moon and new year, their unit of reckoning is the night followed by the day." [1]

The Celts also divided time into a seven-day week identical to that of the Hebrews. Dr. Thomas Moore commented that no other nation kept such a seven day cycle "excepting only among the family of Abraham." [2]

Both Feared the Sky Falling Down

YEHOVAH God promised Israel they would always be a nation before Him as long as the sun, moon and stars stayed in their "fixed order" in the sky:

"Thus says the LORD, who gives the sun for light by day and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night…If this fixed order departs from before Me, declares the LORD, then shall the offspring of Israel cease from being a nation before Me forever" (Jeremiah 31:35-36).

It seems this promise must have been etched into the consciousness of all Celts for "during a feast Alexander [the Great] asked the Celts what they feared most, expecting them to answer ‘You my lord.’ However, their reply was startling to the would-be conqueror of the world: ‘We fear only that the sky will fall on our heads.’…Their words were, in fact, a form of oath which was still be found in Irish law tracts a millennium later." [3]

Both Believed Death to be Better than One’s Birth

To most people, the idea of one’s death being better than one’s birth would be abhorrent. Yet, in the Book of Ecclesiastes, King Solomon wrote, "…the day of death is better than the day of birth" (Ecclesiastes 7:1).

Incredibly, the Celts also shared this seemingly strange attitude and disregard for death:

"Thus did Philostratus of Tyana (AD170 - 249) observe that the Celts celebrated birth with mourning and death with joy." [4]

In fact, this is why the Celts were renown throughout the Greek and Roman worlds for their courage and willingness to die in combat.

The chances of two different peoples sharing the exact same irrational fears and beliefs would appear highly improbable, unless of course they were one and the same people as previously stated!

Both Guaranteed the Rights of Woman

The laws of Israel guaranteed the rights of women, including the right to inherit property:

"And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a man die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter" (Numbers 27:8).

Israelite women could also be prophets, judges and even lead the nation!

"Now Deborah, a prophet, the wife of Lapidoth, was leading Israel at that time...And the children of Israel came up to her for judgment" (Judges 4:4-5).

It’s important to understand that these same rights guaranteed by Israel’s law and customs were unheard of almost everywhere until relatively recently, especially during the Babylonian, Median, Persian, Greek and Roman Empires and then into the dark and middle ages. Yet, the Celtic nations shared these exact same customs and laws:

"Women emerge in Celtic society with equality of rights. They could inherit, own property and be elected to office, even to the position of leader in times of war...There is no rule of distinction to exclude the female line from the throne or the command of the armies..." [5]

This is the reason why Boudicca was able to be the Queen of the British Celtic Iceni tribe who led an uprising against the occupying forces of the Roman Empire in 60 - 61 A.D. and why many of our greatest rulers have also been women -- including Queen Elizabeth I, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth II.

Same National Colors

The national colors of Israel where blue, scarlet (red), linen (white) and purple:

"…thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet…thou shalt make a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work…And thou shalt make an hanging for the door of the tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework" (Exodus 26:1, 31-36).

"Make sacred garments for your brother Aaron to give him dignity and honour…Have them use gold, and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and fine linen" (Exodus 28:2-5).

Interestingly, all the Anglo-Saxon-Celtic nations have these same national colors (blue, red and white) which can be seen on all our flags.

Charles Stewart, the Superintendent of Naval Records and Library of the US Navy Department, stated [6], "The flag may trace its ancestry back to Mount Sinai, whence the Lord gave to Moses the Ten Commandments and the Book of the Law, which testify of God's will and man's duty; and were deposited in the Ark of the Covenant within the Tabernacle, whose curtains were blue, purple, scarlet, and fine-twined linen."

"Before the ark stood the table of shewbread, with its cloth of blue, scarlet and white. These colours of the Hebrew Tabernacle were taken over by the early Western Church for its own and given to all the nations of Western Europe for their flags. When the United States chose their flag it was of the colours of old, but new in arrangement and design, and they called it 'The Stars and Stripes'."

"Our flag is of the colours red, white and blue. Red is for courage, zeal, and fervency; white is for purity, cleanness of life and rectitude of conduct; blue is for loyalty, devotion, friendship, justice and truth…"

Both Looked the Same

Of course, if the Anglo-Saxon-Celtic people are the same people as the Biblical Israelites (being their true descendants), then we must have certainly looked the same. The question then is what did they look like?

Thankfully, the Bible has a surprising lot to say about their physical appearance and we therefore need be in no doubt, describing the Biblical Israelites as being "white" or "fair" skinned and "ruddy," which means "To show blood (in the face), that is, flush or turn rosy" or, in some cases (King David), "reddish of the hair…" [7]

Solomon records:

"My beloved [of Israel] is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand" (Song of Solomon 5:10 KJV).

Jeremiah describes the princes of Israel as being whiter than milk:

"Her princes were purer than snow, they were whiter than milk, they were more ruddy in body than rubies…" (Lamentations 4:7 KJV).

Sarah, Rebekah, Joseph, King David, Tamar, Job’s daughters and Esther are all specifically described as being fair skinned. While many of the modern translations now use a more generalized "beautiful" instead, the word "fair" used in the older translations like the King James Version should be considered more accurate since it comes from the Hebrew root word which means to "be bright, that is, (by implication)…fair." [8]:

"And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon" (Genesis 12:11 KJV).

"And the damsel [Rebekah] was very fair to look upon..." (Genesis 24:16 KJV).

"And the men of the place asked him of his wife; and he said, She is my sister: for he feared to say, She is my wife; lest, said he, the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; because she was fair to look upon" (Genesis 26:7 KJV).

"And Joseph is of a fair form, and of a fair appearance" (Genesis 39:6 YLT).

"And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance" (1 Samuel 17:42 KJV).

"And he sent, and brought him in. Now he [David] was ruddy, and of a fair countenance, and goodly to look to..." (1 Samuel 16:12 KJV).

"And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job…" (Job 42:15).

"And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther…and the maid was fair and beautiful…" (Esther 2:7 KJV).

Moses in the New Testament is said to have been "exceeding fair" in appearance:

"In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father's house three months" (Acts 7:20 KJV).

And of course, the Anglo-Saxon-Celtic people also look the same and are in fact described in exactly the same way:

"Galatea, is of course, the synonym for Galatian, Gaul or Celt, and is said to mean, significantly, milk-white. The Greeks often praised the beauty of the fair, ’milk-white’ skin of the Celts." [9]

This is backed up by the Roman poet Ovid (43 BC – 18 AD) who wrote "Oh lovely Galatea, whiter far than falling snows" [10]

St Jerome, in the fourth century A.D., wrote "I shall quote the opinion about this people that our own Lactantius recorded in the third volume of his work addressed to Probus: 'From ancient times the Gauls were called Galatians due to their shiny complexion, and the Sibyl refers to them as such.' This is what the poet [Virgil] meant when he said, ‘Their milky-white necks are decked in gold’, though he could have used the word ‘shiny’. It is clear from this that the province where the Gauls arrived…was called Galatia." [11]

Not surprising when we look around today, we see in ourselves the same features as our forefathers and Israelite brothers and sisters. A white or fair skinned people, with reddish or rosy complexions, and many of us also displaying some form of reddish hair either on our heads or elsewhere on our bodies. We display in ourselves our own proof that we are the descendants of the Biblical Israelites and with that proof, responsibility to serve YEHOVAH God and our fellow Israelites.

Same Royal Customs and Traditions

Throughout their long history the Irish have meticulously maintained the record of their kings. Lists of these kings can be found in Geoffrey Keating’s History of Ireland [12], O’Flaherty’s Ogygia [13], and A.-M.-H.-J. Stokvis’s Manuel d’Histoire [14].

Many British customs, traditions, symbols, emblems, ceremonies and laws of succession practiced by the kings in these lists are shared with the Kings of Israel detailed in the Bible. One example being the Israelites custom to crown their Kings on or by one particular stone (2 Kings 11:14 and 23:3) and for the people to shout "God save the King" (1 Samuel 10:24; 2 Samuel 16:16; 1 Kings 1:25-39; 2 Kings 11:12 and 23:11). This is still our custom today with all the Kings and Queens of Great Britain (Ireland, Scotland and England) being crowned upon the same stone for the past 2500 years or so.

Edward I had a coronation chair built in 1296 A.D. to accommodate this stone which is still used today, with Queen Elizabeth II crowned on it in 1953. In fact, if you watch the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II you will be amazed to see almost the entire ceremony following the exact same traditions as recorded in the bible when the Israelite Kings were crowned. And yes they shouted "God save the Queen" just like our forefathers before us. This stone the English call "Jacob's Pillow" with its battered surface, large crack and two iron rings attached almost worn through, all bear witness to its long migrations. Wear which must have occurred during Israel's wanderings in the desert since historians know it’s only been moved 3 or 4 times at static locations since then. Israel to Ireland in 583 B.C.; Ireland to Scotland in 506 A.D., Scotland to England in 1296 A.D., and apparently back to Scotland in 1996 where it will remain "until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him" when the Messiah comes to sit upon the throne of David (Luke 1: 31-33).

Too many similarities to be a coincidence, and remember the Messiah's kingdom was to be a "Stone" Kingdom that would crush all others and then spread worldwide to become the fifth world empire (the British Empire) (Daniel 2:31-45).

For more evidence and proof King David's descendants are still sitting on his throne (on earth), and ruling over YEHOVAH's people Israel, send for or download the following article:

Does King Charles III Sit On a Throne of David?

Reddish Hair a Common Shared Trait

While reddish hair is quite rare amongst most races of people, it is particularly common in Anglo-Saxon-Celtic people as it was amongst the Israelites.

King David was described as having fair skin and reddish hair (1 Samuel 16:12 and 17:42) since the "ruddy" used in both these verses comes from the Hebrew word meaning "reddish of the hair…" [15]

Now, if we follow the basic principles of genetics, his descendants must also be fair skinned and often have reddish hair. Since YEHOVAH promised him there would never cease to be one of his descendants sitting upon his throne (a real throne on earth), which was to be established forever (1 Chronicles 17:11-14), then his descendants must still be sitting on that throne and ruling over His people all as promised (2 Samuel 7:12-16).

What is fascinating is many Kings and Queens who have sat on the British throne have exhibited the same physical attributes as King David and therefore must indeed be his descendants as promised. If we look up the historical records, we will find they have all certainly been fair skinned with rosy complexions, but what of the reddish hair? We should certainly find this trait in many of his descendants and we actually do. William the Conqueror, William II, Henry II, Richard I, Edward II, Richard II, Henry IV, Edward V, Richard III, Henry VII, Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I, Elizabeth I, James I, Charles I and William IV all had reddish hair and this doesn’t take into account the many others in the royal line who also had reddish hair but never got to sit on the throne. Look no further than Prince Harry as a modern day example!

In fact, there is no other place on Earth more associated with red hair than Britain.

Laws Founded on the Same Principles

The entire basis of Israel’s law was love. The Messiah himself stated "‘Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments" (Matthew 22:37-40).

Paul reiterated this fundamental concept when writing to the Galatians saying "For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbour as yourself" (Galatians 5:14).

Not only was the purpose of the law to protect both the individual and one’s neighbor, but to also bring about the good of both. In fact, all Israelite society was based on community with the nation divided into tribes, clans and families (Joshua 7:14).

The Celtic society and laws had exactly the same foundation as the Israelites for "The basis of their society was tribal...By the time the Celtic law systems were codified...the Celtic tribal system was a highly sophisticated one. Comparing the Irish system with that enshrined in the Welsh laws of Hywel Dda one can observe a common Celtic attitude to the law. The good of the community was the basis of the law…." [16]

Some might mistakenly consider the "good of the community" with communism. These two concepts are entirely opposite. Communism raises the "state" or government above all else and since all governments are led by a small number of individuals this always results in those same individuals being raised to "God" status and dictatorship. Communist or collective systems of government "encourage" their citizens to look solely to them for help which only ever increases their power and control over the people as government extends its influence and reach into more and more areas of life. Therefore, communism puts the good of the "state" or individuals in leadership as the priority above all else and treats the community as worthless individuals.

Whereas, those societies whose foundation is YEHOVAH’s law based on the "good of the community" remember and acknowledge that communities are the individuals and families that live within them. These societies recognize that everyone that makes up that particular community is equal under the law and of equal importance. Therefore, the good of the people is paramount and the "state" is simply the servant or protector of those same people. Every individual is required to provide for themselves and their families and in doing so get to enjoy the fruit of their labor. As each individual and family improves their lot, the whole community also benefits.

This is why the Celtic societies have prospered. And let’s remember, it was Britain who later became the first ever Christian people and nation in 156 A.D. by Act of its government (British Triads) (Hosea 1:10; Isaiah 9:2; 44:3-5; 45:17-19; 45:25; 48:20; 49:3) being founded upon the very commandments, statutes and judgments given by YEHOVAH God to the Israelites at Mt. Sinai. The English Common Law, Magna Carta and Bill of Rights etc., broadly based, though imperfectly on YEHOVAH's law given through Moses. It was on this foundation that the Christian work ethic of hard work developed, motivated by the promise that each individual be able to enjoy the benefits of their own labor and improve their lot and that of their family. As a result the Western Anglo-Saxon-Celtic nations have prospered to become the wealthiest on earth.

Same Government Structure

Israel was overseen by seventy elders whom the people elected to be officers over the "thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens". These men also served as "judges". They were to be capable men who feared YEHOVAH God, were trustworthy and hated dishonest gain.

"And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee" (Numbers 11:16).

"But select capable men from all the people -- men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain -- and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens…Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said. He chose capable men from all Israel and made them leaders of the people, officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. They served as judges for the people at all times…." (Exodus 21:-27).

The Celts also elected "officers" and "Judges" to rule and lead the people as we still do today when we elect MPs or Congressmen to represent us:

"Chieftains were elected, as were all officers of the tribe." [17]

"Strabo assures us that all three Celtic tribes spoke the same language. He says each tribe was divided into four septs…Each sept was ruled by a chieftain and two sub-chieftains, with a judge….Strabo goes on to say that the twelve septs sent a total of 300 elected representatives to an assembly at the main centre of Drunemeton…The name is typically Celtic, the sanctuary of oaks. The form of government described by Strabo as existing among the Celts of Galatia is paralleled by the assembly of Gual…The Greeks referred to the state as Koinon Galaton, the Commonwealth of Galatians, and it is true that the name of no particular overall leader emerges for a long time…" [18]

Just as Israel’s elected leaders would meet at the "city gate" to conduct and oversee important business transactions, judge court cases and make public announcements, so do the Celtic nations today. So too is the idea that this must all be done in public. Whether in court or Parliament, the public are invited and able to watch and witness proceedings.

"...his father and mother shall take hold of him and bring him to the elders at the gate of his town" (Deuteronomy 21:19).

And just as the elected leaders of Israel were to be capable men who feared YEHOVAH, were trustworthy and hated dishonest gain, even today MPs must swear an oath before beginning:

"I (name of Member) do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, her heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God."

Of course, let’s not forget that just as Israel had a monarchy who was assisted by the Levites (public servants), elected elders and judges to administer the Kingdom, so too do we today!

Trial by Jury

The right to a trial by jury or one’s peers is a very important part of the Common law system of Britain and indeed all other Anglo-Saxon-Celtic nations.

This "right" to a public trial is actually also rooted in ancient Israel law, where trials were held at the main entrance of every city and town where the public could observe all proceedings:

"Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment" (Deuteronomy 16:18).

Under YEHOVAH’s law, not only were trials held publically, so were executions:

"If there be found among you, within any of thy gates which the LORD thy God giveth thee, man or woman, that hath wrought wickedness in the sight of the LORD thy God…Then shalt thou bring forth that man or that woman, which have committed that wicked thing, unto thy gates, even that man or that woman, and shalt stone them with stones, till they die" (Deuteronomy 17:2-5).

The apostle Paul emphasized the deterrent effect of public discipline when he said "Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear" (1 Timothy 5:20).

Many other Anglo-Saxon-Celtic traditions, such as the number of members of any jury being twelve, also originated from Israelite law since twelve symbolizes YEHOVAH’s power and authority, as well as perfect government. For example, Jacob had twelve sons, each of which represented the twelve tribes of Israel while the Messiah chose twelve apostles etc.

Stones

Even a casual reader of the Old Testament stories won’t help but notice Israel’s fascination with stones, including their habit and custom of erecting stone altars, memorials and markings everywhere they went. For example:

"…Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it. And he called the name of that place Bethel…And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God: And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee" (Genesis 28:18-22).

"So Joshua called together the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe, and said to them, "Go over before the ark of the LORD your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever" (Joshua 4:4-7).

The Celtic people also shared this same fascination and custom of erecting uncut stone pillars or "standing stones" all over Europe and especially in Britain, with Stonehenge, the Avebury Stone Circle and the standing stones in the Breton village of Carnac as just a few of hundreds of examples.

Dr. Thomas Moore in his History of Ireland [19] states,

"That most common of all Celtic monuments, the Cromlech... is to be found not only in most parts of Europe, but also in…Palestine…Not less ancient and general, among the Celtic nations, was the circle of upright stones, with either an altar or tall pillar in the centre, and like its prototype at Gilgal [ancient Israel], serving sometimes as a temple of worship, sometimes as a place of national council or inauguration...The rough, unhewn stone...used in their circular temples by the Druids, was the true, orthodox observance of the divine command delivered to Moses, 'If thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone, for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it' (Exo 20:25)."

Dr. Beauford, in Druidism Revived [20], said

"It is remarkable that all the ancient altars found in Ireland, and now distinguished by the name of Cromlechs or sloping stones, were originally called Bothal, or the House of God, and they seem to be of the same species as those mentioned in the Book of Genesis, called by the Hebrews, Bethel, which has the same signification as the Irish Bothal."

The Bible (Judges 9:6; 2 Kings 11:14; 2 Chronicles 23:13) describes how the Israelite kings were crowned either standing upon or next to a stone (pillar) and as mentioned earlier was the same custom of all the British Kings (Irish, Scottish and English) since 583 B.C. "…The monarchs of Sweden sat upon a stone placed in the centre of twelve lesser ones, and in a similar kind of circle the Kings of Denmark were crowned." [21] Note again the significant Bible number, "twelve," which was common to both Celts and the Israelites.

The book, Identity of the Religions Druidical and Hebrew [22], adds "Circular temples...abound in England and other parts of Europe. The most ancient account of them is to be found in the book of Exodus (24:4), 'And Moses...builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes…'" (p.15). In Europe, Stonehenge, Avebury and many other early Celtic sites there are many examples of similar circular patterned designs.

It’s interesting that Daniel described a "stone" kingdom that was prophesied to destroy the Babylonian, Median, Persian, Greek and Roman empires, but itself grow to fill the whole earth and never be destroyed itself (Daniel 2:44-45). Isn’t it fitting that the Celts played an important part in destroying each of these empires and that it was Britain that would eventually grow to become the world’s fifth and largest ever empire and certainly expanded around the whole earth as prophesied? An empire that still exists within the Commonwealth and United States of America. Britain being a nation, and group of nations, which could also be described as a "stone" kingdom with its standing stones and circles everywhere and its kings and queens all being crowned and ruling on one particular stone. A stone that is so important every British King and Queen has been crowned on it for the last 2,500 years with King Edward I even having a throne especially built to hold it! A stone which is said to be "Jacob’s Pillow"! The stone Jacob described as being the "House of God."

Groves and Oaks

The importance of worship under oaks in Druidism is well known and the oak tree also featured prominently in Celtic culture. Greek geographer and historian Strabo (1st century A.D.) reported that the Celts "sent a total of 300 elected representatives to an assembly at the main centre of Drunemeton…the sanctuary of oaks." [23]

Pliny [24] said of the Celts, "They esteem nothing more sacred than the mistletoe and the tree on which it grows, provided only that the tree is an oak. But apart from this they choose oak-woods for their sacred groves, and perform no sacred rite without using oak branches."

What isn’t well known, however, is that groves and oaks were also features of Israelite worship. For example, Abraham made "an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him" near the oak of Moreh (Genesis 12:6-7) He "called on the everlasting God" from a grove planted by his own hand. (Genesis 13:4) and also built "an altar unto the LORD", "near the oak of Mamre…in Hebron" (Genesis 13:18).

Joshua took a "large stone and set it up there under the oak near the sanctuary of the LORD" (Joshua 24:26). Gideon worshipped YEHOVAH under an oak tree (Judges 6:19-24). "All the citizens of Shechem and Beth Millo gathered beside the oak at the pillar in Shechem to crown Abimelek king" (Judges 9:6) and we are told the Israelites "sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains, and burn incense upon the hills, under oaks…" (Hosea 4:13)

Celts and Israelites Both Had the Same Priesthood

According to the laws of YEHOVAH God the Levites had a very important position and function within the nation of Israel. You could say they functioned as the government under the King, acting as the priests; administrators of the national laws; judges; civil servants; record keepers; teachers; security and worship leaders etc. In this way they assisted the King in administering the Kingdom of Israel. It is interesting that within Celtic society they also had a priesthood who performed these same duties and responsibilities as the Levites did. The Celtic priesthood were called Druids.

"The Celtic religion was administered, as was all Celtic learning, law and philosophy, by a group called the druids, first mentioned in the 3rd century BC. To the Greeks and Romans, the druids were described as a priesthood, but they fulfilled political functions as well...It took 20 years to learn all the druidical canon, for the druid functioned not only as ministers of religion with its doctrine of the immortality and complete moral system, but also as philosopher, teacher, and natural scientist and keeper of the law and its interpretation. Druids were often called upon to take legal, political and even military decisions. Marcus Tullius Cicero (106 - 43 BC) reports the druids to have been great natural scientists, with a knowledge of physics and astronomy which they applied in the construction of calendars. The earliest known surviving Celtic calendar, dated from the first century BC...is far more elaborate then the rudimentary Julian calendar and has a highly sophisticated 5 year synchronisation of lunation with the solar year." [25]

There are many other examples of customs linking the Celtic Druids specifically with Israel. English historian, William Borlase in his Antiquities of Cornwall (1754) [26] presented many pages of such evidence, including Druids worshipping but one God and being allowed no graven images identical to the Hebrews which was in contradistinction with almost all other ancient religions. They both consecrated themselves by the sprinkling of blood. Druid priests wore white similar to the Levite priest's white ephod. Sacrificial victims were bled to death and the blood was collected in basins which served to sprinkle the altars; bulls were sacrificed, and the image of a bull (the heraldic sign of the Hebrew tribe of Ephraim) was carried into war. They prayed with uplifted hands, examined entrails for necromancy and held the oak in veneration. The Druids used the magic wand in imitation of Moses' rod, poured libations, sacrificed upon the tops of rocks, investigated truth by lots, anointed rock pillars with oil, and marked out boundaries with stones (pg. 104 - 132, 161) In these and so many other distinctive ways, the religious customs of the Celts and Israelites bear an unmistakable resemblance!

Both Preferred Singlehanded Battle

In ancient times the Israelites often decided battles by singlehanded combat. The armies would let the champions fight it out and that way not as many people had to die. The most famous account of single-handed combat in history was between David and Goliath.

"For oft-times as armies approached each other in line of battle with their swords drawn and their spears raised for the charge, these men come forth between them and stop the conflict as though they had spellbound some kind of wild animals. Thus, even among the most savage barbarians…the Celts preferred to settle warfare by means of single-handed combat between the chieftains or champions of the opposing armies rather than a pitch battle between opposing forces…In their early conflict with the Celts, some Roman commanders would accept the Celtic form of resolving the battle. But the custom was frowned upon by the Roman senate…decreed in 340 BC that henceforth no Roman should enter into single combat with a Celt to settle military disputes. One might think that the Celtic method of two men, leaders of the armies, settling the outcome of a military conflict by this means was a little more civilized than the Roman method of total warfare and devastation by large armies." [27]

Was the Messiah a Celt?

According to the gospels, Yeshua the Messiah was known as a Galilean (Matthew 26:69) which wasn’t surprising considering he grew up in Galilee; spent most of his ministry there and chose 11 of his 12 disciples from Galilee too. In fact, it seems Galilee was the one place he felt safe since it was the Galileans, unlike the "Jews" who believed and followed him:

"When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law...they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him..." (Luke 2:39-40).

"Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee…" (Matthew 4:12).

"After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him" (John 7:1).

"As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew…'Come, follow me,' Jesus said…At once they left their nets and followed him…Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John…Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him" (Matthew 4:18-22).

"Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galileans received him, having seen all the things that he did..." (John 4:45).

"And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people…there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee…" (Matthew 4:23-25).

"Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him..." (Matthew 28:16).

So who were the Galileans -- and were they related to the Galatians to whom Paul wrote one of his most famous letters?

Since the Messiah said "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel" (Matthew 15:24) the Galileans must have been Israelites. However, is there proof they were also Celts?

If they were related to the Galatians then yes, they must have been. And if so, then the Messiah must have been a Celt too!

Were the Galatians Celts?

"What we know of the Galatians state gives us our first example of the organisation of a Celtic state," says Henri Hubert [28].

"Galatia was established by the Celts in Asia Minor during the third century BC and a Celtic language was still spoken there in the fourth century AD. The Galatians had become one of the first peoples to accept the new religion of Christianity and are now best known through Paul or Tarsus famous Epistle to the Galatians written about 55 AD." [29]

"It was Hieronymos of Cardia who is credited with the first-known use of the term Galatia, the land of the Gauls, Galli or Celts." [30]

"According to Strabo the Galatians spoke Celtic in his day (63 BC to AD 21) and Lucan (39 - 65 AD) supports this…And then we have the famous evidence of St Jerome (Eusebius Hieronymous) in the forth century AD…he was able to state categorically not only that the Galatians still spoke Celtic but that the language was very close to that spoken by the Guals of Treves…So we may safely say that Celtic was spoken in the central plain of what is modern Turkey for at least seven centuries." [31]

Referring to the Celts, "When they emerge in historical record, they are first called Keltoi, by the Greeks. Polybuis also uses the word Galatae, which had, by his day, become widely used by the Greeks. The Romans referred to them as Galli as well as Celtae. Diodorus Siculus, Julius Caesar, Strabo and Pausanias all recognize the synonymous use of these terms. And Julius Caesar comments that the Gauls of his day referred to themselves as Celtae." [32]

Now back to Galilee where the Messiah searched for his "lost sheep of Israel." Isn’t it logical if the Romans called the Celts the "Galli" during this time and the Celts were called:

Galatians in Asia Minor
Galicians in Spain
Gauls in Europe
Gaels in Ireland

Then wouldn’t it make sense that the Galileans in Palestine must have also been Celts? Clearly the "Galli" which the Romans used to refer to the Celts was a prefix, and although there are some slight spelling deviations they would all have had a similar pronunciation.

What’s more, the name "Galli" and all its variants above appears to come from the Hebrew word "galah, a primitive root; to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication to exile." [33]

Calling the Israelites "exiles" would be fitting remembering the House of Israel had been exiled by YEHOVAH God as punishment for their sins when they were defeated by the Assyrians in 721 B.C., and all transported and resettled in northern Persia. What is truly fascinating is that as the House of Israel passed from history, having been taken captive by the Assyrians and resettled in northern Persia south of the Caucasus Mountains, the Celts and Scythians (Saxons) suddenly burst into recorded history coming from the same direction the Israelites had been settled!

The Galatians Were Also Israelites

So according to ancient and modern historians, the Galatians were Celts. Is there any evidence that Paul also referred to these Celts as Israelites? Yes.

Since the Messiah said "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel" (Matthew 15:24) and told his disciples to go only "to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matthew 10:6) then all their mission trips and letters must have been addressed to "lost Israelites" just as they were commanded.

In obedience to this James wrote his Epistle "to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting" (James 1:1) while Paul also wrote all his letters to the "Gentiles" or "lost Israelites" as will be shown later. One of his first letters of which was addressed to the Galatians.

Paul refers to the Galatians as "brethren" 11 times. While many might assume Paul was simply referring to "fellow Christians" in general, this could not have been the case. He could only have been using it in reference to his fellow kinsman and kinswoman (i.e. people of the same clan or race). There are two good reasons for this. One, he was from Tarsus, the city next door populated by the same Celts and secondly because the word "brethren" comes from the Greek word "adelphos" which specifically means "brother" in the sense of someone related. According to the Strong’s Concordance [34] it infers a blood relationship since it’s "a connective particle…(the womb); a brother…near or remote…brother." He was, therefore, calling the Celts his kinsfolk.

Since Paul says he was "of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews" (Philippians 3:5) and refers to the Celts of Galatia as his relatives or clansman, then the Celts must have also be Israelites.

Is this also backed up by Paul’s message to the Celts? Yes!

Addressing the Galatians (chapter 3), he states "we were kept under the law". Which law? The sacrificial law "which was four hundred and thirty years after" added. Only Israelites could be said to have been "under the law" since no other nation or people had been given these laws or practiced them. In further reference to these sacrificial laws he states "Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ". Again, these laws could only have been Israel’s "schoolmaster" since only they had them. Saying this to any other people or nation would have been nonsense. He goes on and says "when we were children, we were in bondage". Only Israel was in bondage in its beginnings (when "a child"), both in Egypt and later under the law itself. He goes further putting it beyond any doubt saying YEHOVAH God sent the Messiah "To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." Once more, only Israel had been under the law; only Israel was ever called "sons" and only Israel could be redeemed.

Redemption legally means "A repurchase; a buying back." [35] Strong’s Concordance [36] also confirms its meaning as to "buy back" by the previous owner or their next of kin:

"to redeem…that is, to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative’s property, marry his widow, etc.)…(do, perform the part of near, next) kinsfolk (-man), purchase, ransom, redeem (-er)…" [37]

"redemption (including the right and the object); by implication relationship: kindred, redeem, redemption, right." [38]

Of course, this is all in accordance with YEHOVAH’s law which also defines redemption as the repurchase of a "person or property" by the previous owner or their relative/kindred:

"After that he is sold he may be redeemed again; one of his brethren may redeem him: Either his uncle, or his uncle's son, may redeem him, or any that is nigh of kin unto him of his family may redeem him; or if he be able, he may redeem himself" (Leviticus 25:48-49).

If we now put this all together, redemption means "the repurchase of something once possessed at a stipulated price, either by the previous owner or their relative."

Again, this means only Israel could be redeemed, since only Israel had ever been the "possession" of YEHOVAH God:

"For the people of Israel belong to the LORD; Jacob is His special possession…" (Deuteronomy 32:9).

"For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be His people, His treasured possession" (Deuteronomy 7:6).

"For the LORD has chosen Jacob to be His own, Israel to be His treasured possession" (Psalm 135:4).

"Now if you obey Me fully and keep My covenant, then out of all nations you will be My treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine…" (Exodus 19:5).

Only Israel were ever referred to as His "children" and "sons":

"And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is My son, even My firstborn: And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve Me" (Exodus 4:22-23).

In reference to Israel "Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee" (Isaiah 49:15).

For "You only have I known of all the families of the earth" (Amos 3:2).

If this wasn’t yet clear enough, the Bible confirms in plain language that it was indeed Israel who were redeemed:

"And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel…, and I have remembered My covenant. Therefore say to the children of Israel: ‘I am the LORD; I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. I will take you as My people, and I will be your God" (Exodus 6:5-7).

"But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and He that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine" (Isaiah 43:1).

"Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art My servant: I have formed thee; thou art My servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of Me. I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto Me; for I have redeemed thee. Sing, O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified Himself in Israel" (Isaiah 44:21-23).

"Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more. For thy Maker is thine Husband; the LORD of hosts is His name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall He be called. For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God. For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid My face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer" (Isaiah 54:4-8).

What wonderful words of comfort Paul’s words must have been to the Celts (lost Israel) for they were not without hope, but were redeemed that they "might receive the adoption of sons!"

For Paul says finally "And because ye are sons…Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise…"

Not only were the Celts, sons, but as kinsfolk like Isaac, children of the promise and that promise was only made to Jacob and his descendants.

"Brethren…Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made… And this I say, that the covenant,…the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

"Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage…But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise…So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God" (Galatians 3:16-4:28).

Summary

We know that the Galileans were Israelites. We know that the Messiah was considered a Galilean. We know the Romans called the Celts the "Galli" at this time and used it as a prefix for all Celts since they were called Galatians in Asia Minor, Galicians in Spain, Gauls in Europe and Gaels in Ireland. It would therefore be logical to conclude that the Galileans in Palestine must have also been Celts. This is not unreasonable since according to Paul’s letter to the Galatians, he clearly believed these Celts to be Israelites. Therefore, it would appear the Messiah must have been a Celt!