Lexical Summary Yehudiyyah: Jewess, Jewish woman Original Word: יְהֻדִיָּה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Jehudijah, a Jewess Feminine of Yhuwdiy; Jehudijah, a Jewess: see HEBREW Yhuwdiy NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfem. of Yehudi Definition a Jewess NASB Translation Jewish (1). Topical Lexicon Name and Meaning Yehudiyah appears as a feminine designation meaning “Jewess” or “woman of Judah.” In the verse where it occurs it functions like a proper name, identifying a woman fully incorporated into the tribe of Judah. The term accents both her covenant identity and her integration into the lineage that would eventually produce David and, in the fullness of time, the Messiah. Scriptural Setting (1 Chronicles 4:18) “His Judahite wife gave birth to Jered the father of Gedor, Heber the father of Soco, and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah. These were the children of Pharaoh’s daughter Bithiah, whom Mered had married.” (1 Chronicles 4:18) The Chronicler places Yehudiyah in the genealogies of Judah, a section devoted to tracing post-exilic identity back to patriarchal roots. She is described as the wife of Mered, a descendant of Judah (identified by Jewish tradition with Caleb). The record immediately notes that she is also “Pharaoh’s daughter Bithiah,” so the verse reveals one woman with two descriptive names: an Egyptian royal name (“Bithiah”) and a covenant name (“Yehudiyah”). The juxtaposition testifies to her conversion and adoption into Israel. Historical and Theological Significance 1. Picture of Covenant Inclusion An Egyptian princess who becomes “the Jewess” illustrates the principle first announced to Abraham, that “all the families of the earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:3). Her presence in Judah’s record prefigures the grafting in of Gentiles (Romans 11:17) and anticipates the gathering of all nations in Christ. 2. Marker of Post-Exilic Identity Chronicles was compiled after the exile to reaffirm covenant continuity. By highlighting significant outsiders who wholeheartedly joined Israel, the author assures returning exiles that faith in the LORD, rather than ethnic purity alone, marks true membership in God’s people. 3. Echo of the Exodus Narrative Later Jewish commentary links Bithiah with the unnamed daughter of Pharaoh who rescued Moses (Exodus 2:5–10). While Scripture does not explicitly equate the women, the Chronicler’s audience would have recognized the name “Bithiah” (“daughter of Yah”) as an Egyptian who came to fear the LORD. If the two are identical, Yehudiyah’s life spans Egypt’s oppression, the Exodus, and Israel’s wilderness years, providing a living bridge from bondage to blessing. Genealogical Contribution Her sons—Jered, Heber, and Jekuthiel—became patriarchs of towns in Judah (Gedor, Soco, Zanoah). Thus Yehudiyah helped establish key Judean settlements that later feature in accounts of David’s reign (1 Samuel 17:1) and the return from exile (Nehemiah 11:25–30). The Chronicler quietly affirms that the Lord used a converted foreigner to secure Judah’s territorial inheritance. Ministry Insights and Applications • Conversion Transforms Identity: Yehudiyah’s Egyptian past did not disqualify her; covenant faith redefined her as “Jewess.” Local congregations can welcome believers from every background with the same gospel grace (Galatians 3:28). Related Biblical Parallels Ruth the Moabitess (Ruth 1–4); Rahab of Jericho (Joshua 2:11; Matthew 1:5); the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:27–39). All underscore the same redemptive truth embodied in Yehudiyah: the covenant community is open to any who trust the LORD. Forms and Transliterations הַיְהֻדִיָּ֗ה היהדיה hay·hu·ḏî·yāh hayhudiYah hayhuḏîyāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 4:18 HEB: וְאִשְׁתּ֣וֹ הַיְהֻדִיָּ֗ה יָלְדָ֞ה אֶת־ NAS: His Jewish wife bore KJV: And his wife Jehudijah bare Jered INT: wife his Jewish bore Jered 1 Occurrence |
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