2451. Ioudaikos
Lexical Summary
Ioudaikos: Jewish

Original Word: Ἰουδαϊκός
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: Ioudaikos
Pronunciation: ee-oo-dah-ee-KOS
Phonetic Spelling: (ee-oo-dah-ee-kos')
KJV: Jewish
NASB: Jewish
Word Origin: [from G2453 (Ἰουδαῖος - Jews)]

1. Judaic, i.e. resembling a Judaean

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Jewish.

From Ioudaios; Judaic, i.e. Resembling a Judaean -- Jewish.

see GREEK Ioudaios

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from Ioudaios
Definition
Jewish
NASB Translation
Jewish (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 2451: Ἰουδαϊκός

Ἰουδαϊκός, Ἰουδαικη, Ἰουδαικον, Jewish: Titus 1:14. (2 Macc. 8:11 2Macc. 13:21; Josephus, Antiquities 20, 11, 1; Philo (in Flac. § 8).)

Topical Lexicon
Historical and Cultural Background

The adjective Ἰουδαϊκός is rooted in the covenant identity of the descendants of Judah and, by the first century, had become an umbrella term for the religious, cultural, and national life of the Jewish people dispersed throughout the Roman world. It described customs (John 2:6), festivals (John 5:1), laws (John 19:7), and even the Aramaic tongue commonly spoken in Judea (John 19:20). By the time Paul writes to Titus, “Jewish” also carried the sense of a distinct body of extra-biblical lore that had developed alongside the Hebrew Scriptures.

Singular New Testament Occurrence

Titus 1:14 is the lone appearance of Ἰουδαϊκός in the Greek New Testament: “and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of men who have rejected the truth”. Placing the adjective in contrast to “the truth” shows Paul’s pastoral concern that anything merely “Jewish” in origin—when detached from the authority of the inspired Law and Prophets—must not rival the sufficiency of the gospel.

Jewish Myths and Human Commandments

Paul distinguishes between God-given revelation and later “myths” (μῦθοι). These myths likely refer to fanciful embellishments, speculative genealogies, and mystical readings of the Law (compare 1 Timothy 1:4; 1 Timothy 4:7). Coupled with “commands of men” (see also Mark 7:8-9; Colossians 2:22), the phrase warns against elevating rabbinic or apocryphal traditions to binding authority over the church. The apostle does not disparage Israel’s Scriptures (Romans 3:2) but exposes additions that obscure the Messiah.

Continuity and Fulfillment

While distinguishing gospel truth from later Jewish accretions, the New Testament continues to affirm the Law’s prophetic purpose. Jesus fulfills the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17), and Paul readily calls his heritage “according to the strictest sect of our religion” (Acts 26:5). The adjective “Jewish” thus reminds readers that Christian faith is rooted in God’s covenant with Israel yet moves forward to its climax in Christ (Galatians 3:24-25).

Implications for Early Church Ministry

1. Guarding sound doctrine. Elders in Crete were to silence deceivers (Titus 1:10) whose teaching blended “Jewish myths” with moralism. Sound doctrine must remain anchored in Scripture alone.
2. Discerning cultural baggage. Gentile converts needed clarity on which Jewish elements were essential (Acts 15:19-21) and which were optional (Romans 14:5-6).
3. Preserving unity. Paul circumcised Timothy for Jewish evangelism (Acts 16:3) yet resisted imposing the rite on Titus (Galatians 2:3-5). The adjective Ἰουδαϊκός serves as a reminder that gospel liberty transcends ethnic boundary markers.

Modern Ministry Applications

• Uphold biblical authority over human tradition in worship, preaching, and discipleship.
• Engage Jewish people with respect for their historical identity while pointing to the fulfillment of their Scriptures in Jesus of Nazareth.
• Evaluate contemporary “myths”—whether cultural, philosophical, or religious—by the standard of the apostolic gospel.

Forms and Transliterations
Ιουδαικοις Ἰουδαϊκοῖς Ioudaikois Ioudaïkoîs
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Titus 1:14 Adj-DMP
GRK: μὴ προσέχοντες Ἰουδαϊκοῖς μύθοις καὶ
NAS: not paying attention to Jewish myths
KJV: Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and
INT: not giving heed to Jewish fables and

Strong's Greek 2451
1 Occurrence


Ἰουδαϊκοῖς — 1 Occ.

2450
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