Topical Encyclopedia
Judah, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, holds a significant place in biblical history and theology. The name "Judah" originates from the Hebrew word "Yehudah," meaning "praise" or "thanksgiving." Judah was the fourth son of Jacob and Leah, as recorded in
Genesis 29:35: "And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, 'This time I will praise the LORD.' Therefore she named him Judah."
The tribe of Judah became one of the most prominent tribes in Israel, known for its leadership and military prowess. The blessing of Jacob upon Judah in
Genesis 49:8-10 highlights the tribe's future prominence: "Judah, your brothers shall praise you; your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons shall bow down to you. Judah is a lion’s cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples."
The tribe of Judah settled in the southern part of the Promised Land, encompassing Jerusalem, which later became the political and spiritual center of Israel. The tribe's territory is detailed in
Joshua 15, where the boundaries and cities of Judah are listed.
Judah's significance is further underscored by its association with King David, who was anointed as king over Israel and established the Davidic dynasty. This lineage is crucial in biblical prophecy, as it is from the line of David that the Messiah, Jesus Christ, is prophesied to come.
Matthew 1:1-3 traces the genealogy of Jesus, affirming His descent from Judah: "This is the record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham: Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers."
The tribe of Judah also played a central role during the divided monarchy, forming the Kingdom of Judah after the split of the united monarchy. This kingdom, with Jerusalem as its capital, remained more faithful to the worship of Yahweh compared to the northern kingdom of Israel, although it too experienced periods of apostasy.
EliezerEliezer is a name that appears multiple times in the Bible, referring to different individuals, each with distinct roles and significance. The name "Eliezer" means "God is my help" in Hebrew, reflecting a reliance on divine assistance.
1.
Eliezer of Damascus: The most notable Eliezer is the servant of Abraham, mentioned in
Genesis 15:2. Abraham, concerned about his lack of an heir, refers to Eliezer as the potential inheritor of his estate: "But Abram replied, 'O Lord GOD, what can You give me, since I remain childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?'" Although not explicitly named in
Genesis 24, Eliezer is traditionally identified as the servant sent by Abraham to find a wife for Isaac, demonstrating his loyalty and faithfulness.
2.
Eliezer, son of Moses: Another Eliezer is the second son of Moses and Zipporah. His name is mentioned in
Exodus 18:4, where the reason for his naming is given: "The other son was named Eliezer, because Moses had said, 'The God of my father was my helper; He delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh.'" This Eliezer represents God's deliverance and protection over Moses' family.
3.
Eliezer, the prophet: In
2 Chronicles 20:37, Eliezer, the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah, prophesies against King Jehoshaphat for his alliance with Ahaziah, king of Israel: "Then Eliezer son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, 'Because you have made an alliance with Ahaziah, the LORD has destroyed your works.' So the ships were wrecked and were unable to sail to Tarshish." This Eliezer serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking God's guidance and avoiding ungodly alliances.
Each Eliezer in the Bible, though distinct in their roles, underscores themes of divine help, faithfulness, and the importance of aligning with God's will.
