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An Israelite kingdom of the Southern Levant in the Iron Age, ruled by the Davidic line for four centuries. Learn about its history, geography, archaeology, and relation to the Hebrew Bible and Judaism.
Judah was the fourth son of Jacob and Leah and the founder of the Tribe of Judah of the Israelites. He played a key role in the stories of Joseph, Tamar, and the Exodus, and was the ancestor of the Davidic line and the Jews.
Learn about the origins, rise, and fall of the Israelite kingdoms in the Southern Levant from the 12th to the 6th century BCE. Explore the biblical and archaeological sources, the political and cultural contexts, and the religious developments of ancient Israel and Judah.
- He Was the Fourth Son of Jacob and Leah. Leah, the first of Jacob’s four wives, was the mother of six of his 12 sons. After Judah was born, Leah did not have children for a while,1 having her final two only after Bilhah and Zilphah each gave birth to two sons.2.
- His Name Means “Praise” or “Admit” When Judah was born, Leah declared “This time, I will praise the L‑rd!” 3 and named her baby Yehudah, which is commonly Anglicized as Judah.
- He Suggested Selling Joseph. Jacob’s favorite wife, Rachel, eventually had a son, Joseph, who became his most beloved child.4 This ignited his elder brothers’ jealousy, and they plotted to kill him and threw him into a pit, .
- He Left the Clan. Other than Joseph, who was forcibly taken to Egypt, Judah is the only one of the 12 brothers who (temporarily) moved away from the clan, having lost standing in their eyes due to the horrible deed they committed at his suggestion.6.
Jan 4, 2022 · Judah was the fourth son of Jacob and Leah, and the founder of one of the 12 tribes of Israel. He had a troubled life, but also a blessed legacy, as he was the forefather of King David and the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Judah was one of the 12 tribes of Israel, descended from Judah, the fourth son of Jacob and Leah. It became the most powerful and influential tribe, producing kings David and Solomon, and the Messiah, according to prophecy.
Judah was the fourth son of Jacob and the ancestor of the tribe and kingdom of Judah in the Old Testament. Learn about Judah's history, geography, kings, prophets, and role in the Messianic hope.
