Lexical Summary Iouda: Judah Original Word: Ἰούδα Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Judah. Of Hebrew origin (Yhuwdah or perhaps Yuttah); Judah (i.e. Jehudah or Juttah), a part of (or place in) Palestine -- Judah. see HEBREW Yhuwdah see HEBREW Yuttah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originthe same as Ioudas, q.v. Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2448: ΙουδαΙουδα (see Ἰούδας, at the beginning and 1), indeclinable, Judah, a proper name; in the Sept.: 1. the fourth son of the patriarch Jacob; 2. the tribe that sprang from him. 3. the region which this tribe occupied (cf. Winer's Grammar, 114 (108)); so in the N. T. in Matthew 2:6 (twice); πόλις Ιουδα (Judges 17:8), a city of the tribe of Judah, Luke 1:39, where it is a matter of dispute what city is meant; the most probable conjecture seems to be that Hebron is referred to — a city assigned to the priests, situated 'in the hill country' (Χεβρων ἐν τῷ ὄρει Ιουδα, Joshua 21:11), the native place of John the Baptist according to Jewish tradition. (Cf. B. D. American edition under the word Juda, a City of.) The Greek Ἰούδα/Ἰωδά (Strong’s 2448) carries forward the rich heritage of the Hebrew יְהוּדָה, the fourth son of Jacob and progenitor of the royal tribe. From Genesis onward Judah embodies themes of praise, leadership, covenant faithfulness, and messianic expectation. The New Testament’s eight uses link directly back to these foundational themes, showing seamless continuity between the covenants. Judah in the Genealogy of Jesus Christ (Luke 3:26) Luke traces the legal descent of Jesus through Nathan, son of David, naming Ἰωδά among the ancestors. This solitary appearance underlines that every generation—even the otherwise unknown Joda—served God’s redemptive timetable. The mention affirms that Jesus’ lineage is authentically rooted in Judah, fulfilling patriarchal blessing and prophetic promise. Judah in Messianic Prophecy Fulfilled (Matthew 2:6) Matthew twice cites Judah while quoting Micah 5:2: “But you, Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel.” (Matthew 2:6) Here Judah is the geographic and tribal setting for Messiah’s birth. Matthew’s double emphasis declares that the Davidic ruler emerges exactly where Scripture foretold, confirming both the reliability of prophecy and the authority of Jesus’ kingship. Geographical Reference: The Hill Country of Judah (Luke 1:39) Mary “hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah” to visit Elizabeth. The setting evokes memories of David’s wanderings and covenant worship at Hebron, illustrating how the Incarnation unfolds among historically covenant-saturated hills. The meeting of the mothers of John and Jesus in Judah’s heights signals the dawning of the New Covenant on ground already hallowed by promises. Priesthood and Kingship in Hebrews (Hebrews 7:14; 8:8) Hebrews 7:14 reminds readers: “For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, a tribe as to which Moses said nothing about priests.” The writer contrasts the Levitical priesthood with Messiah’s Melchizedekian order, arguing that Jesus’ Judahite origin makes Him a priest-king whose authority surpasses the Mosaic system. Hebrews 8:8 then cites Jeremiah 31, forecasting a “new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.” Judah is thus integral both to Jesus’ royal identity and to the promised covenantal renewal. Eschatological Vision of Judah (Revelation 5:5; 7:5) In the heavenly throne room John hears: “Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed to open the scroll and its seven seals.” (Revelation 5:5) Judah’s lion imagery from Genesis 49 reaches its climax as the resurrected Christ alone is worthy to execute God’s final purposes. Revelation 7:5 counts “12,000” sealed from Judah first among the tribes, honoring Judah’s primacy and highlighting God’s faithfulness to ethnic Israel even in the last days. Judah’s precedence signals both leadership and divine preservation. Theological Themes 1. Royal Authority: Judah consistently signifies legitimate kingship culminating in Christ. Practical Ministry Applications • Gospel Preaching: Emphasize Jesus as the Lion of Judah, the promised ruler whose victory guarantees redemption. Strong’s 2448, though appearing only eight times, threads through the Gospels, Epistles, and Apocalypse, testifying that the God who began His work through Judah completes it in Jesus Christ and will consummate it in the age to come. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 2:6 N-GMSGRK: Βηθλεὲμ γῆ Ἰούδα οὐδαμῶς ἐλαχίστη KJV: [in] the land of Juda, art INT: Bethlehem land of Judah in no way least Matthew 2:6 N-GMS Luke 1:39 N-GMS Luke 3:26 N Hebrews 7:14 N-GMS Hebrews 8:8 N-GMS Revelation 5:5 N-GMS Revelation 7:5 N-GMS |
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