In very early times, many nations of the Middle East had a chief national god who looked after his people and protected them from enemies. Because the god was more powerful than the people, he was considered to have chosen his people, rather than the other way around. Over time, nations were conquered, demonstrating that their god was not powerful after all. As a result, most nations moved on and adopted the gods of their conquerors.
The Israelites, perhaps because they were almost always militarily weak and so did not require of God that he maintain their national independence, moved gradually towards monotheism under their national G-d, who was held to have chosen them. During times of adversity, Jews believed that their God was punishing them for wrongdoing, thus avoiding the dilemma of a God who could not protect them.
Thus, the Jews became the Chosen People of God.
One must always remember that men wrote the Holy Books and what was happening in history when they wrote the words down. kentay
The Jewish people are descended from Jacob (Israel), the grandson of Abraham, with whom God established an everlasting covenant.
Genesis 17:7 - And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you.
=== It just means 'chosen' to keep more laws. God offered the covenant to all the nations, but all refused to accept it unconditionally. Finally the Jews agreed. They 'chose' God, so God 'chose' them in return. 'chosen' doesn't mean 'superior' or anything like that. Judaism teaches that all humans are equal.
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