The Tribe of Judah holds a significant place in biblical history, being one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Judah, the fourth son of Jacob and Leah, is the progenitor of this tribe. The families within the Tribe of Judah are detailed in various passages of the Old Testament, particularly in the genealogical records.

Genealogical Records and Families

The genealogies of the Tribe of Judah are primarily found in the Book of Numbers, 1 Chronicles, and other historical books of the Old Testament. These records are crucial for understanding the lineage and the division of families within the tribe.

1. Perez and Zerah: Judah's sons by Tamar, Perez and Zerah, are foundational figures in the tribe's lineage. Perez is particularly significant, as his descendants include several notable families. In 1 Chronicles 2:4-5 , it is recorded: "Tamar, Judah’s daughter-in-law, bore him Perez and Zerah. Judah had five sons in all. The sons of Perez: Hezron and Hamul."

2. Hezron: A prominent family line descends from Hezron, the son of Perez. Hezron's descendants include several key figures and families, such as Ram, who is an ancestor of King David. 1 Chronicles 2:9 states, "The sons of Hezron who were born to him: Jerahmeel, Ram, and Caleb."

3. Caleb: Another significant family within the Tribe of Judah is that of Caleb, a descendant of Hezron. Caleb is renowned for his faithfulness and courage, particularly during the exploration of Canaan. His lineage is detailed in 1 Chronicles 2:18-20 , which mentions his descendants and their roles in the tribe.

4. Jerahmeel: The family of Jerahmeel, another son of Hezron, is also noted in the genealogical records. This family is mentioned in 1 Chronicles 2:25-27 , highlighting their place within the tribe.

5. Shelah: The descendants of Shelah, another son of Judah, form a distinct family within the tribe. 1 Chronicles 4:21-22 provides insight into this lineage: "The sons of Shelah son of Judah: Er the father of Lecah, Laadah the father of Mareshah, and the families of the linen workers at Beth Ashbea."

6. Other Families: The genealogies also mention other families and clans within the Tribe of Judah, such as the Kenizzites and the Zorathites, who played various roles in the tribe's history and development.

Role and Significance

The Tribe of Judah is historically and theologically significant, as it is the tribe from which King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ descended. The genealogical records emphasize the tribe's importance and the fulfillment of God's promises through its lineage. The families within the Tribe of Judah contributed to its strength and leadership among the tribes of Israel, particularly during the monarchy and the establishment of Jerusalem as the political and spiritual center of the nation.Numbers 26:19-21
The sons of Judah were Er and Onan: and Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands ...
... that Christ might not appear as a descendant of the tribe of Judah ... explanation is,
that the prophet views the thousands, or the families of Judah, no less ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap v 1.htm

How Zerah, King of the Ethiopians, was Beaten by Asa; and How Asa ...
... and came as far as Mareshah, a city that belonged to the tribe of Judah. ... them to
be slain by another, and that no one person of their families should remain ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 12 how zerah king.htm

Jeroboam
... Not only do two families differ widely in their talents and possessions ... still resented
the precedence and supremacy of the rival tribe of Judah; but this ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/jeroboam.htm

The History of Joseph the Carpenter.
... for Joseph the son of David, whose spouse Mary was, was of the tribe of Judah. ... and
Simeon, the elder sons of Joseph, were married, and had families of their ...
/.../unknown/the history of joseph the carpenter/the history of joseph the.htm

Hazael Makes an Expedition against the People of Israel and the ...
... laws, and had been so severely punished, they and their entire families, nor could ...
in the thirty-seventh year of Jehoash, the king of the tribe of Judah. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 hazael makes an.htm

The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
... of God in it,"will be compelled to erase even the promise in Genesis 12:3, "In thee
all the families of the ... Nor was Joshua [Pg 82] of the tribe of Judah. ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the blessing of jacob upon.htm

Achan's Sin, Israel's Defeat
... son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of ...
We see the working of that unity in families, communities, churches, nations ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/achans sin israels defeat.htm

The Gospel of the Kingdom.
... from his posterity; saying, "In thy seed shall all the families of the ... from amongst
the descendants of Abraham, and of the predicted tribe of Judah, and to ...
/.../burbidge/the kingdom of heaven what is it/chapter ii the gospel of.htm

Introductory Notice to the Early Liturgies.
... as a propitiation for guilt, was communicated to all the families of the ... Joseph,
and chose not the tribe of Ephraim: but chose the tribe of Judah, the Mount ...
/.../various/early liturgies/introductory notice to the early.htm

The Alleged Discrepancy in the Gospels in Regard to the Genealogy ...
... to the same Davidic race which was divided into two families, that of ... were relatives,
although Joseph and Mary belonged to the tribe of Judah, and Zacharias ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter vii the alleged discrepancy in.htm

What can we learn from the tribe of Judah? | GotQuestions.org

Who were the kings of Israel and Judah? | GotQuestions.org

When and how was Judah conquered by the Babylonians? | GotQuestions.org

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