Judah

Meaning: "Praise"

Symbol: Lion

Stone/Color: Carnelian (or ruby) / Red

Family: Fourth son of Jacob, born to Leah

The genealogy in the Gospel of Matther shows how Jesus was a descendant of Judah through the royal lineage of King David

(Matt 1; Ps.89:3-4; Isa 9:6, Heb. 7:14; Rev. 5:5). Christ was born in Bethlehem as Micah prophesied (Mic. 5:2).

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

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

Jacob's Blessing: "You are a lion's cub, Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion crouches and lies down, like a lioness-- who dares to rouse him? The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler;s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his" (Gen. 49:9-10).

Moses' Blessing: "Hear, Lord, the cry of Judah; bring him to his people. With his own hands he defends his cause. Oh, be his help against his foes!" (Deut. 33:7).

Notable: Judah convinced his brothers to spare Joseph's life and sell him to slave traders for a profit instead of kill him (Gen. 37). Later, Judah unknowingly had relations with his daughter-in-law Tamar. When it was revealed, he confessed his wrongdoing (Gen. 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 (Num. 2). Leaders liek Caleb, David, and Zerubbabel were from the tribe of Judah, as were prophets like Amos, Micha, Isaiah, and Zephaniah.