Judah

Judah jo͞o´də [key]. 1In the Bible he is the fourth son ofJacobandLeahand the eponymous ancestor of one of the 12 tribes of Israel. In the Book of Genesis, Judah emerges as a leader. WithReubenhe interceded forJoseph's life, and he was the spokesman for his brothers before Joseph in Egypt. In the exodus his tribe was in the lead, and it settled in the rich land of S Palestine, extending from the Dead Sea to the Mediterranean, according to scripture. Within its borders was Jerusalem. It gave its name to the Kingdom ofJudah. The royal and Messianic family of David was of the tribe of Judah. 2In the Book of Nehemiah, a Levitical family. 3In the Book of Ezra, a Levite. 4In Nehemiah, an overseer. 5In Nehemiah, a priest's son. 6The same asHodaviah 3.

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