There is much evidence in Scripture to show that Israel has been, and still is, a scattered people, in spite of the fact that the great majority of the nation has been gathered in the isles of the west (II Samuel 7:10). The blindness which YEHOVAH God cast upon this people as to their identity and whereabouts, was one feature of their seven times of punishment (2520 years). This has caused historians and ethnologists to fail in linking up these various remnants of Israel with their ancient forebears. One such remnant is, today, to be found in south-west France and north-east Spain, with the Pyrenees mountains dividing them. These people are known as the nation of the Basques.

The original Basque name of the people was “Eskuara,” which means “clearly speaking.” Their land is “Eskual Herria,” from the Basque word for “sun.” They are a race quite apart from their adjacent neighbors, and there is a mystery surrounding their origin and history. The great reserve they display in their contacts with the outside world has clothed them with an air of remoteness and an atmosphere of romance. All research workers are agreed that they are definitely a European race, and the oldest surviving race in Europe today.

Early Basque writers speak of their race as, “We whose language was broken,” and this belief, that theirs was the original pure language spoken, before language was confused, has been handed down generation by generation. The Basque language, interesting but difficult to learn, is described as one of the fourteen languages that Latin did not destroy. It is very similar to the Ibernian language, and we shall see why.

There are eight universally recognized dialects in this language, hence its difficulty in mastering. Basque printed literature is not at all extensive. Rather does it excel in the unwritten word handed down by oral tradition. An early historian, Strabo, states that one Iberian tribe preserved historical writings and poems of great antiquity.

There are seven provinces in the Basque territory; four in Spain, and three in France. About 80% of the people live in Spain. In the early 1960s In a survey of the population, it was found that 450,000 were in Spain, and 100,000 in France. Their home is a lovely land of mountain, valley and sea-coast, sloping down to the Bay of Biscay. The Rev. Wentworth Webster, an English chaplain dwelling for many years in retirement among the Basques, writes with authority on these folk.

Early research writers slate that they are at least related to or descended from the Iberians, who inhabited the whole of the Spanish Peninsula, and who have left many traces of their existence in the form of cave drawings, inscriptions and tombstones throughout Spain.

Now, who were the Iberians? Let us think back to Heber or Eber from whom Abraham was descended, and from whom the name “Hebrew” comes.

As we know, the letter “h” sound is often omitted in sounding words. Sometimes it is included in the spelling and sometimes not. Vowels also have so often been interchangeable. From Heber comes the ancient name of Ireland, “Hibernia.” “Erin” and “Eire,” as southern Ireland is named today, both stem from that old Hebrew name. “Iberia,” the original name of Spain, also comes from the same name. Again, we have the river “Ebro” in Spain.

The Basques are a long-headed people, many with blue eyes, light brown hair and fair skin. They are a tall people with broad shoulders and a strong physique. Through the centuries, other Israel tribes have found their way along the same route to join their brethren.

The Basques are a deeply religious people, steeped in the history and prophecies of the Old Testament. They are regular churchgoers. About the 6th century they embraced Christianity.

The Spanish Basques are a more progressive section than their French brethren, for the land of Spain is rich in mineral wealth, and so these people have developed a vigorous and flourishing iron trade, besides other industries. They own their flocks of sheep, a link up also with old Israel days. The French Basques are more of a peasant type, small farmers, and fishermen. Their land in France has no mineral deposits and is of a poorer quality.

The Basques are a home-loving people, with their houses mostly facing eastwards, scattered over the country. Captive Judah turned longingly to the east to the old homeland, while we recall how Daniel prayed three times daily with his window opened towards Jerusalem.