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: ''This article is about the son of [[Jacob]]. For other uses, see [[Judah (disambiguation)]].''

: ''This article is about the son of [[Jacob]]. For other uses, see [[Judah (disambiguation)]].''

'''Judah''' ([[Hebrew]]: '''יהוּדה''', ''Yəhûḏāh''; "to praise"), (b. 2249 AM or 1755 BC), was the fourth son of [[Jacob]] by [[Leah]]. He is the ancestor of the Tribe of [[Judah (tribe)|Judah]], one of the [[Twelve Tribes of Israel]]. Some notable descedants of Judah are [[David]], [[Solomon]], and [[Jesus Christ]].

'''Judah''' ([[Hebrew]]: '''יהוּדה''', ''Yəhûḏāh''; "to praise"), (b. 2249 AM or 1755 BC), was the fourth son of [[Jacob]] by [[Leah]]. He is the ancestor of the Tribe of [[Judah (tribe)|Judah]], one of the [[Twelve Tribes of Israel]].  

 

 

Some notable descedants of Judah are [[David]], [[Solomon]], and [[Jesus Christ]].

== Judah's early life ==

== Judah's early life ==

The [[Bible]] says that after she bore Judah, his mother Leah said, "I will praise God." Judah was born in 2249 AM (1755 BC), and Leah did not have another son for three years.<ref name=Ussher>James Ussher. ''The Annals of the World''. Green Forest, AR: Master Books, 2003, pgh. 121.</ref>

The [[Bible]] records that after she bore Judah, his mother Leah said, "I will praise God." Judah was born in 2249 AM (1755 BC), and Leah did not have another son for three years.<ref name=Ussher>James Ussher. ''The Annals of the World''. Green Forest, AR: Master Books, 2003, pgh. 121.</ref>

== Judah's First Sons ==

== Judah's First Sons ==

== The Plot against Joseph ==

== The Plot against Joseph ==

In 2276 AM (1728 BC), Judah and his brothers hatched a [[Joseph#The Arrogant and Tactless Dreamer|plot]] against their brother [[Joseph]]. At least most of the brothers wanted to kill Joseph (Genesis 37:18). But, when Reuben, the eldest brother, heard of the plot, Reuben tried by clever means to rescue Joseph (Genesis 37:21-23). Then, when all the brothers saw a group of [[Ishmael]]ite and [[Midian]]ite traders (Genesis 37:26) passing by, Judah suggested that, while there could be no profit to them in killing Joseph, there certainly would be a profit in selling Joseph to these traders. Killing Joseph, he said, would gain them nothing and require them to conceal their act.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Genesis|chap=37|verses=26-27}}</ref> This is the third mention of Judah in the Bible, and is the first act which the Bible records of all of Judah's acts. It was a praiseworthy act, in that it spared Joseph's life. Further, it can be argued that Judah was motivated to it by brotherly love for Joseph, but that Judah didn't want his brothers to know that this was his motive lest they consider changing their minds again about not killing Joseph. So, in terms of all the texts concerning Judah, and of all the texts concerning Joseph, this is the most defining moment in Judah's life, and the most critical moment in Joseph's. Genesis 37:26 is the 1,110the verse.

In 2276 AM (1728 BC), Judah and his brothers hatched a [[Joseph#The Arrogant and Tactless Dreamer|plot]] against their brother [[Joseph]]. At least most of the brothers wanted to kill Joseph (Genesis 37:18). But, when Reuben, the eldest brother, heard of the plot, Reuben tried by clever means to rescue Joseph (Genesis 37:21-23). Then, when all the brothers saw a group of [[Ishmael]]ite and [[Midian]]ite traders (Genesis 37:25) passing by, Judah suggested that, while there could be no profit to them in killing Joseph, there certainly would be a profit in selling Joseph to these traders. Killing Joseph, he said, would gain them nothing, and would require them to conceal their act (Genesis 37:26).<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Genesis|chap=37|verses=26-27}}</ref> This is the third mention of Judah in the Bible, and is the first act which the Bible records of all of Judah's acts. It was a praiseworthy act, in that it spared Joseph's life. Further, it easily can be argued that Judah was motivated to it by brotherly love for Joseph (Genesis 37:27), but that Judah didn't want his brothers to know that this was his real motive lest they consider changing their minds again about not killing Joseph. So, in terms of all the texts concerning Judah, and of all the texts concerning Joseph, this is the most defining moment in Judah's life, and the most critical moment in Joseph's (Genesis 37:26 is the 1,110th verse).<ref>http://www.conservapedia.com/Essay:_Bible_Codes</ref>

Judah would not hear of Joseph again for about another twenty years.

Judah would not hear of Joseph again for about another twenty years.

== Tamar ==

== Tamar ==

Five years later (2281 AM/1723 BC), two of Judah's three sons died. Er was perhaps fifteen years of age when Judah arranged for him to marry a young woman named [[Tamar]].<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Genesis|chap=38|verses=6}}</ref> The Bible says only that Er was a wicked man in [[God]]'s sight, and that God took his life.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Genesis|chap=38|verses=7}}</ref> So Judah instructed his next younger son Onan to marry Tamar next and to sire a son that would be Er's son, according to the levirate obligation. But Onan did not wish to honor this obligation, and so whenever he was intimate with Tamar he made sure that he would not impregnate her. Thus began the legend of the [[sin]] of [[onanism]].<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Genesis|chap=38|verses=8-9}}</ref>

Five years later (2281 AM/1723 BC), two of Judah's three sons died. Er was perhaps fifteen years of age when Judah arranged for him to marry a young woman named [[Tamar]].<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Genesis|chap=38|verses=6}}</ref> The Bible says only that Er was a wicked man in [[God]]'s sight, and that God took his life.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Genesis|chap=38|verses=7}}</ref> So Judah instructed his next younger son Onan to marry Tamar next and to sire a son who would be Er's son, according to the [[levirate marriage|levirate obligation]]. But Onan did not wish to honor this obligation, and so whenever he was intimate with Tamar he made sure that he would not impregnate her. It is after these acts of Onan that the [[sin]] of [[onanism]] is named.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Genesis|chap=38|verses=8-9}}</ref>

God found this act displeasing, and so Onan died as well. Judah, in fear that Shelah also would not survive, told Tamar to wait until Shelah was "grown up" and wear widow's garments until then. In fact, Judah did not summon Tamar when Shelah attained his majority.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Genesis|chap=38|verses=10-11}}</ref>

God found this act displeasing, and so Onan died as well. Judah, in fear that Shelah also would not survive, told Tamar to wait until Shelah was "grown up" and wear widow's garments until then. In fact, Judah did not summon Tamar when Shelah attained his majority.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Genesis|chap=38|verses=10-11}}</ref>

Perhaps in the next year (2282 AM/1722 BC), Judah's first wife died. Judah and his friend Hirah went to Timnath to supervise the annual [[sheep]]-shearing. (This is usually done in the springtime, so that the sheep will not overheat in summer.<ref name=Schoenian>Schoenian, Susan. "[http://www.sheep101.info/shearing.html Sheep 101: Shearing]." Sheep 101, November 15, 2006. Accessed November 11, 2008.</ref>) Tamar heard about it, and also heard that by now Shelah had attained his majority&mdash;and Judah had not summoned her to marry Shelah.

Perhaps in the next year (2282 AM/1722 BC), Judah's first wife died. Judah and his friend Hirah went to Timnath to supervise the annual [[sheep]]-shearing. (This is usually done in the springtime, so that the sheep will not overheat in summer.<ref name=Schoenian>Schoenian, Susan. "[http://www.sheep101.info/shearing.html Sheep 101: Shearing]." Sheep 101, November 15, 2006. Accessed November 11, 2008.</ref>) Tamar heard about it, and also heard that by now Shelah had attained his majority&mdash;and Judah had not summoned her to marry Shelah.

Tamar then traveled to Timnath, but instead of her widow's clothes, she wore the veil of a harlot. She then sat openly on the road, so that Judah would see her&mdash;but Judah did ''not'' realize whom he was talking to. He asked her price for her services, and she asked him to make her an offer. He offerred a young goat from his flock, and she then demanded a pledge. That pledge was his signet ring, his bracelets, and his staff, or rod.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Genesis|chap=38|verses=14-18}}</ref>

Tamar then traveled to Timnath, but instead of her widow's clothes, she wore the veil of a harlot. She then sat openly on the road, so that Judah would see her&mdash;but Judah did ''not'' realize whom he was talking to. He asked her price for her services, and she asked him to make her an offer. He offered a young goat from his flock, and she then demanded a pledge. That pledge was his signet ring, his bracelets, and his staff, or rod.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Genesis|chap=38|verses=14-18}}</ref>

Judah agreed to give the pledge, and he was intimate with her and made her pregnant. Tamar did not stay in Timnath; instead she returned to her father's house and resumed her widow's clothes. Judah sent his friend Hirah with the goat, but by then Tamar was gone, and the villagers said that they never had a prostitute in that place. Judah decided to let the (to him) unknown prostitute keep his pledges, because he did not want the villagers to laugh at him if he came twice on the same seemingly foolish errand.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Genesis|chap=38|verses=19-23}}</ref>

Judah agreed to give the pledge, and he was intimate with her and made her pregnant. Tamar did not stay in Timnath; instead she returned to her father's house and resumed her widow's clothes. Judah sent his friend Hirah with the goat, but by then Tamar was gone, and the villagers said that they never had a prostitute in that place. Judah decided to let the (to him) unknown prostitute keep his pledges, because he did not want the villagers to laugh at him if he came twice on the same seemingly foolish errand.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Genesis|chap=38|verses=19-23}}</ref>

== Significance of the name ==

== Significance of the name ==

It was from the name Judah that the [[Kingdom of Judah]] was named after the partition of Israel following King [[Solomon]]'s demise ([[1 Kings]] 11:31; 12:17-21). This kingdom was made up of the Tribe of Judah and the [[Benjamin (tribe)|Tribe of Benjamin]]. Centuries later, after [[Alexander the Great]] and then [[Pompey|Pompey the Great]]  conquered the land, it was known as [[Judea]]. It is from the name Judea that the English name [[Jew]] is derived.

It was from the name Judah that the [[Kingdom of Judah]] was named after the partition of Israel following King [[Solomon]]'s demise ([[1 Kings]] 11:31; 12:17-21). This kingdom was made up of the Tribe of Judah and the [[Benjamin (tribe)|Tribe of Benjamin]]. Centuries later, after [[Alexander the Great]] and then [[Pompey|Pompey the Great]]  conquered the land, it was known as [[Judea]]. It is from the name Judea that the name [[Jew]] is derived which it refers to all the Jews [of all tribes], such as already in the book of [[Esther]],<ref>Mordecai was 'the Jew' and not of the Judah tribe. It is then repeatedly mentioned as in Haman's plot to annihilate all the Jews.</ref> and in Zecharia 8:23.<ref>[https://www.chabad.org/library/bible_cdo/aid/16212/jewish/Chapter-8.htm#v23 So said the Lord of Hosts: In those days, when ten men of all the languages of the nations shall take hold of the skirt of a Jewish man, saying, "Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you."]</ref>

==References==

==References==

{{reflist|2}}

{{reflist|2}}

==See Also==

==See also==

* [[Israel]]

* [[Israel]]

* [[Palestine]]

* [[Palestine]]