Lexical Summary Yehud: Judah Original Word: יְהיּד Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Jewry, Judah, Judea (Aramaic) contracted from a form corresponding to Yhuwdah; properly, Judah, hence, Judaea -- Jewry, Judah, Judea. see HEBREW Yhuwdah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to Yehudah Definition the S. kingdom, named for one of the twelve tribes NASB Translation Judah (7). Brown-Driver-Briggs יְהוּד proper name, of a territory Judah (secondary formative from following according to M§ 68. b Buhl; compare Biblical Hebrew יְהוּדָה); — Daniel 5:13b; Ezra 5:1,8; Ezra 7:14; ׳בְּנֵי גָּלוּתָא דַּי י Daniel 2:25; Daniel 5:13a; Daniel 6:14. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Scope יְהוּד (Yehud) designates the land and people of Judah in the Aramaic sections of the Old Testament. While linguistically distinct from the Hebrew יְהוּדָה (Yehudah), the term conveys the same covenantal identity: the tribe, territory, and remnant through whom the promises to David and the line of Messiah are preserved. Occurrences in Scripture 1. Ezra 5:1 All seven uses appear in exilic or post-exilic Aramaic narratives, underscoring Judah’s continued existence and divine purpose even under foreign rule. Post-Exilic Context in Ezra The word surfaces during the temple-rebuilding years. Foreign officials report to King Darius: “We went to the province of Judah, to the temple of the great God” (Ezra 5:8). Though reduced to a “province,” Judah remains “the land of promise,” and the prophets Haggai and Zechariah rally the people there (Ezra 5:1). By Ezra 7:14 the Persian court commissions Ezra “to inquire about Judah and Jerusalem with regard to the Law of your God,” highlighting Judah as the geographic center of covenant restoration. Exilic Identity in Daniel Daniel’s Babylonian and Persian captors repeatedly identify him by the name of his homeland: Here Yehud marks Daniel’s unbroken link to God’s chosen people. Heightened by the court’s hostility, the term reminds the reader that Daniel’s wisdom, integrity, and deliverance flow from his covenant roots rather than Babylonian culture. Historical Significance 1. Continuity of Covenant—Even after Jerusalem’s fall, Scripture speaks of “Judah” as an enduring entity. Foreign kings may redraw borders, yet God’s purposes for Judah remain intact. Theological Themes • Divine Sovereignty—Whether under Darius or Nebuchadnezzar, Judah’s account unfolds according to God’s timetable, not human politics. Ministry and Discipleship Applications • Identity in Exile—Believers serving in secular contexts can imitate Daniel, openly bearing the name of God’s people while excelling in integrity and prayer. Related Themes and Passages Genesis 49:8–12 (Judah’s blessing); 2 Samuel 7:12–16 (Davidic covenant); Jeremiah 29:10–14 (promise of return); Haggai 2:6–9 (glory of the rebuilt temple); Zechariah 8:13–15 (Judah a blessing). These texts frame Yehud’s Aramaic appearances within the wider canonical promise that God will never forsake His people or their land. Forms and Transliterations בִיה֖וּד ביהוד יְה֔וּד יְה֖וּד יְה֗וּד יְהֽוּד׃ יהוד יהוד׃ לִיה֤וּד ליהוד ḇî·hūḏ ḇîhūḏ lî·hūḏ liHud lîhūḏ viHud yə·hūḏ yeHud yəhūḏLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 5:1 HEB: יְה֣וּדָיֵ֔א דִּ֥י בִיה֖וּד וּבִירוּשְׁלֶ֑ם בְּשֻׁ֛ם NAS: who were in Judah and Jerusalem KJV: the Jews that [were] in Judah and Jerusalem INT: to the Jews who Judah and Jerusalem the name Ezra 5:8 Ezra 7:14 Daniel 2:25 Daniel 5:13 Daniel 5:13 Daniel 6:13 7 Occurrences |
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