Judah

Overview

• Testament: Old
• Role: Son of Jacob; tribe and later southern kingdom bearing his name
• Family: Son of Jacob and Leah
• Key Books: Genesis, Joshua, 1 Kings, Nahum

Biography

Judah began as one of Jacob’s sons and became the tribe through which kingship and messianic promise would run. After the kingdom divided, Judah also named the southern kingdom centered on Jerusalem.

In Nahum, Judah receives comfort because Assyria’s oppressive yoke will be broken. The same name can refer to the patriarch, tribe, land, or kingdom depending on context.

Key Events

• Jacob’s blessing of Judah
• Division of the Kingdom
• Assyrian threat and deliverance

Relationships

• Jacob - Father
• Leah - Mother
• David - Royal descendant
• Jesus Christ - Lion of the tribe of Judah

Important Verses

• Genesis 49:8-12
• Nahum 1:15
• Revelation 5:5

Cross-References

• Judah (territory)
• David
• Nahum

Notes

Judah is one of the Bible’s layered names: person, tribe, kingdom, and messianic line all gather under it.