JUDAH

The fourth son of Jacob and Leah, born in Mesopotamia, B. C. 1755, Ge 29:35. His name appears honorably in the history of Joseph, Ge 37:26,27 44:16-34; but disgracefully in that of Tamar his daughter-in-law, Ge 38:1-30. The dying benediction of Jacob foretells the superior power and prosperity of the family of Judah, and their continuance as chief of the Jewish race until the time of Christ, Ge 49:8-12. Though not the firstborn, Judah soon came to be considered as the chief of Jacob’s children, and his tribe was the most powerful and numerous. The southeastern part of Palestine fell to their lot. See JUDEA. On the border of their territory was Jerusalem, the seat of the Jewish worship; and from Judah sprung David and his royal race, from which descended the Savior of the world. After the return from the captivity, this tribe in some sort united in itself the whole Hebrew nation, who from that time were known only as Judaei, Jews, descendants of Judah. Judah-when named in contradistinction to Israel, Ephraim, the kingdom of the ten tribes, or Samaria-denotes the kingdom of Judah, and of David’s descendants. See HEBREWS and KINGS. One of the principal distinctions of this tribe is, that it preserved the true religion, and the public exercise of the priesthood, with the legal ceremonies in the temple at Jerusalem; while the ten tribes gave themselves up to idolatry and the worship of the golden calves.

---

Judah. Judah
Praise, the fourth son of Jacob by Leah. The name originated in Leah’s words of praise to the Lord on account of his birth: “Now will I praise [Heb. odeh] Jehovah, and she called his name Yehudah” (Gen. 29:35).

It was Judah that interposed in behalf of Joseph, so that his life was spared (Gen. 37:26, 27). He took a lead in the affairs of the family, and “prevailed above his brethren” (Gen. 43:3-10; 44:14, 16-34; 46:28; 1 Chr. 5:2).

Soon after the sale of Joseph to the Ishmaelites, Judah went to reside at Adullam, where he married a woman of Canaan. (See ONAN; TAMAR.) After the death of his wife Shuah, he returned to his father’s house, and there exercised much influence over the patriarch, taking a principal part in the events which led to the whole family at length going down into Egypt. We hear nothing more of him till he received his father’s blessing (Gen. 49:8-12).

---

Judah. the praise of the Lord; confession

---

JUDAH. 1. Son of Jacob Ge 35:23
* Intercedes for Joseph's life when his brothers were about to kill him, and proposes that they sell him to the Ishmaelites Ge 37:26,27
* Takes two wives Ge 38:1-6
* Lives at Chezib Ge 38:5
* His incest with his daughter-in-law Ge 38:12-26
* Goes down into Egypt for corn (grain) Ge 43:1-10; 44:14-34; 46:28
* Prophetic benediction of his father upon Ge 49:8-12
* The ancestor of Jesus Mt 1:2,3; Re 5:5

2. Tribe of
* Prophecies concerning Ge 49:10
* Enrollment of the military forces of
* At Sinai Nu 1:26,27; 2:4
* At Bezek 1Sa 11:8; 2Sa 24:9
* On the plain of Moab Nu 26:22
* Place of, in encampments and the march Nu 2:3,9; 10:14
* By whom commanded Nu 2:3
* Moses' benediction upon De 33:7
* Commissioned by God to lead in the conquest of the promised land Jud 1:1-3; with 1:4-21
* Make David king 2Sa 2:1-11; 5:4,5
* Rebuked by David for lukewarmness toward him after Absalom's defeat 2Sa 19:11-15
* Accused by the other tribes of stealing the heart of David 2Sa 19:41-43
* Loyal to David at the time of the insurrection led by Sheba 2Sa 20:1,2
* Is accorded the birthright forfeited by Reuben 1Ch 5:1,2; 28:4; Ps 60:7
* Loyal to the house of David at the time of the revolt of the ten tribes 1Ki 12:20
* Inheritance of Jos 15; 18:6; 19:1,9

3. Name of two exiled priests Ezr 10:23; Ne 12:8 4. A Benjamite Ne 11:9 5. A prince or priest who assisted in the dedication of the walls of Jerusalem Ne 12:34,36

---

(1) Son of Jacob Ge 29:35; 35:23; 37:26; 38:1; 43:3; 44:14; 46:12,28; 49:8 Nu 26:19 (2) Tribe of De 33:7; Jud 1:3; 2Sa 2:10; 19:11; 1Ki 12:21; Heb 7:14; Re 5:5 ---Captivity of. SEE Captivity of Israel and Judah, ISRAEL-THE JEWS ISRAEL-THE JEWS ---Kings of. SEE Kings of Israel and Judah, ISRAEL-THE JEWS ISRAEL-THE JEWS