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Judah

Judah in the Bible — fourth-born son of Jacob (GEN 29:35), son of Leah. Judah belonged to the tribe of Judah. Referenced in 26 scripture passages.

Name meaning: the praise of the Lord; confession

Profile

Gender
male
Tribe
Judah
Scripture References
26 references
Known Names
1 name
Relationships
25 connections

Biography

The fourth son of Jacob and Leah, Judah became the leader among his brothers. He proposed selling Joseph into slavery rather than killing him. After failures with his own sons and daughter-in-law Tamar, Judah demonstrated repentance and growth in character, offering himself as a slave in Benjamin's place. From Judah's line came King David and ultimately Jesus Christ.

Significance

Judah's line was chosen for the Messiah. His transformation from selling Joseph to offering himself for Benjamin shows redemption and change. The 'Lion of Judah' is Christ.

Key Events

Born to Jacob and Leah(Genesis 29:35)
Proposed selling Joseph(Genesis 37:26-27)
Affair with Tamar (unknowingly)(Genesis 38:13-26)
Offered himself for Benjamin(Genesis 44:33)
Blessed by Jacob as ruler(Genesis 49:8-10)

Names & Labels (1)

Judahproper name
Hebrew
יְהוּדָה
Transliteration
yəhudah
Meaning
praised
Greek
Ιουδα
Reference
GEN 29:35
Strong's
H3063

Family & Relationships (25)

son

Jacob(GEN 29:35)
Leah(GEN 29:35)

brother

Reuben(GEN 29:35)
Simeon(GEN 29:35)
Levi(GEN 29:35)
Issachar(GEN 30:18)
Zebulun(GEN 30:19)
Dinah(GEN 30:21)

half-brother

Dan(GEN 30:6)
Naphtali(GEN 30:7)
Gad(GEN 30:11)
Asher(GEN 30:13)
Joseph(GEN 30:23)
Benjamin(GEN 35:17)

father

Er(GEN 38:3)
Onan(GEN 38:4)
Shelah(GEN 38:5)
Perez(GEN 38:29)
Zerah(GEN 38:30)

concubinator

Tamar(GEN 38:18)

ancestor

Hur(EXO 31:2)
Jephunneh(NUM 13:6)
Jabez(1CH 4:9)
Asaiah(1CH 9:5)
Sheshbazzar(EZR 1:8)

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Judah in the Bible?

Judah is described in the Bible as fourth-born son of Jacob (GEN 29:35), son of Leah. Judah belonged to the tribe of Judah.

What does the name Judah mean?

The name Judah means “the praise of the Lord; confession” according to Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary.

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