Judah

Judah

Meaning: "Praise" (Genesis 29:35)

Symbol: Lion (or mandrake plant; Genesis 49:9)

Stone/Color: Carnelian (or ruby) / Red (Exodus 28:17)

Family: Fourth son of Jacob, born to Leah (Genesis 29:35)

Size: First Census: 74,600. Second Census: 76,500. Largest of the tribes.

Location: Very large allotment of land. Included Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Heron, and Gaza.

Jacob's Blessing: "Judah is a lion’s whelp; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He bows down, he lies down as a lion; and as a lion, who shall rouse him? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet , until Shiloh comes; and to Him shall be the obedience of the people" (Genesis 49:9-10).

Moses' Blessing: “Hear, Lord, the voice of Judah, and bring him to his people; Let his hands be sufficient for him, and may You be a help against his enemies” (Deuteronomy 33:7).

Notable: Judah convinced his brothers to spare Joseph's life and sell him to slave traders for a profit instead of killing him (Genesis 37). Later, Judah unknowingly had relations with his daughter-in-law Tamar. When it was revealed, he confessed his wrongdoing (Genesis 38). The tribe of Judah led the other tribes on their march toward the Promised Land. The tribe camped on the east side of the tabernacle - the only side with an entrance (Numbers 2). Leaders like Caleb, David and Zerubbabel were from the tribe of Judah, as were prophets like Amos, Micah, Isaiah and Zephaniah.

The genealogy in the gospel of Matthew shows how Jesus was a descendent of Judah through the royal lineage of Kind David (Matthew 1; Psalm 89:3-4; Isaiah 9:6; Hebrews 7:14; Revelation 5:5). Christ was born in Bethlehem as Micah prophesied (Micah 5:2).