The Tribe of Judah holds a significant place within the biblical narrative, being one of the twelve tribes of Israel. This tribe is descended from Judah, the fourth son of Jacob and Leah, and is renowned for its leadership and prominence among the tribes of Israel. The tribe's territory was located in the southern part of the land of Canaan, encompassing Jerusalem, which later became the political and spiritual center of the Israelite nation.

In the context of numbering the people, the Tribe of Judah is frequently mentioned in the biblical accounts of censuses conducted by Moses and later by King David. These censuses were undertaken for various reasons, including military organization, taxation, and religious purposes.

Moses' Census in the Wilderness

During the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, God commanded Moses to take a census of the entire Israelite community. The purpose was to organize the people for military service and to establish the order of the camp. The Tribe of Judah was prominently featured in this census. According to Numbers 1:26-27 , "From the sons of Judah: their genealogies according to their clans and families, counting the names of every male twenty years of age and older, everyone who could serve in the army, those registered to the tribe of Judah numbered 74,600."

This substantial number highlights the tribe's size and strength, reflecting its importance within the Israelite confederation. Judah was positioned at the forefront of the Israelite camp during their travels, leading the march as they moved from place to place (Numbers 10:14).

David's Census

Another significant census involving the Tribe of Judah occurred during the reign of King David. This census, however, was met with divine disapproval. David's decision to number the people was seen as an act of pride and reliance on human strength rather than trust in God. Despite this, the tribe of Judah was again counted. In 2 Samuel 24:9 , it is recorded, "Joab reported to the king the number of the fighting men: In Israel there were 800,000 valiant warriors who drew the sword, and in Judah there were 500,000."

The large number of fighting men from Judah underscores the tribe's continued prominence and military capability. However, the consequences of this census were severe, as God sent a plague upon Israel as a result of David's actions, demonstrating the importance of obedience and humility before God.

Significance of Judah in Biblical History

The Tribe of Judah's role in these censuses is emblematic of its broader significance in biblical history. Judah was the tribe from which King David emerged, and it was prophesied that the Messiah would come from the line of David, a descendant of Judah. This messianic promise is a central theme in the biblical narrative, culminating in the New Testament with the birth of Jesus Christ, who is often referred to as the "Lion of the tribe of Judah" (Revelation 5:5).

In summary, the Tribe of Judah's involvement in the biblical censuses reflects its leadership, strength, and enduring legacy within the history of Israel. The tribe's prominence in these accounts serves as a testament to its pivotal role in the unfolding account of God's people.Numbers 1:7
Of Judah; Nahshon the son of Amminadab.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Of the Eternal Election, by which God Has Predestinated Some to ...
... itself no less insolently when it hears that there are three persons in the ... Joseph,
and chose not the tribe of Ephraim: but chose the tribe of Judah," (Ps.78 ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 21 of the eternal.htm

Chapter xxxviii
... too much as though two relatively righteous persons are being ... of Tamar as a glory
to her tribe." Many of ... be of interest to the descendants of Judah, the birth ...
/.../leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxviii.htm

The Wicked Husbandmen.
... their own pleasure or profit, rejected the counsel and assaulted the persons of
the ... a moment his gentleness, and appears as the Lion of the tribe of Judah. ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/xi the wicked husbandmen.htm

Faustus States his Objections to the Morality of the Law and the ...
... 785] or, again, how his son Judah slept with ... seven hundred concubines, and princesses
without number; [788] or ... for the conviction of the persons addressed: for ...
/.../faustus states his objections to.htm

The First Part
... and receiving its name from the first tribe of its ... not improperly, from the blessing
of Judah and Ephraim ... a multitude of very well-sighted persons, and full of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the first part .htm

Election and Ordination of Bishops: Form of Service on Sundays.
... Him by Himself, of the seed of David and Abraham, of the tribe of Judah. ... And let
the bishop speak thus to the people: Holy things for holy persons. ...
/.../constitutions of the holy apostles/sec ii election and ordination of.htm

Psalm L.
... Those very persons gather for His righteous: gather those that have had compassion ...
And where is that, "The Lion hath prevailed of the tribe of Judah?" [1795 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm l.htm

The Marvels of Holy Scripture, --Moral and Physical. --Jael's Deed ...
... Accordingly, the Kenites made their settlement amid the Royal tribe of Judah; and
it ... Anyhow, since certain persons have adopted this course, I do but plead ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/sermon vii the marvels of.htm

Translated from the Greek.
... man by the way," [2910] which simple persons think the ... and the remaining two, along
with the tribe of Levi ... over by the descendants of David, were named Judah. ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/translated from the greek.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... bring with them an army to protect their persons, or to ... the districts frequented
by Bedouin of the tribe of Terah ... the latter to that which was current in Judah. ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

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