Tribe of Judah

General information

One of the most important tribes was the tribe of Judah. It was by far the largest in land area and was possibly the strongest militarily. The animal chosen to depict them was the lion. This is for several reasons, one was the political role it was to play when the kingdom would be set up. Except for the first king, Saul, Judah was to be the tribe from which the royal family was to come. Of course, Jesus also descended from this line, as we are given the direct line in Matthew 1. Therefore, spiritually, it has a played a huge role as well. The lion was a symbol of courage and strength. Today it is still revered as the king of the beasts. 


Northern Borders
Bordering Judah to the North was the smallest tribe in land mass: Benjamin. Judah was given a small portion of the Jordan River near the historical location of Jericho. The border went eastward just under Jerusalem. In Joshua 15:63 we read that it was the responsibility of Judah to take over Jerusalem from the Jebusites. Here we read, "the children of Judah could not drive them out: but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem unto this day." From there the border swings northward slightly, just so it can include the city of Beth-Shemesh. From there the border travels Northwest, bordering the areal allotted to the tribe of Dan. It ends at the Mediterranean Sea.

Southern borders
To the South there were fewer cities and towns given to define the borders, however land marks were used here. Starting on the Southern tip of the Dead Sea the border slopped Southwest bordering the Wilderness of Zin, a small section of the Negev Desert. The border at the furthest South included Kedesh-Barnea. Near here it turns back to the North and follows the River of Egypt, thought to be the modern day Wadi el-Arish. The border follows the river up the Mediterranean Sea.

Actual control
Sad to say the tribe of Judah, along with other tribes did not take the full territory given to them by God. As was mentioned earlier, Jerusalem was not taken. Instead it fell under the rule of King David, several hundred years after God gave the the land. Also, I find it interesting to note that the Philistines were in the land that Judah was to conquer. If they would have done their job properly Israel would not have had to deal with the problems later produced by the Philistines. 

Judah today

Today the area that was once given to the tribe of Judah is still under control of Israel. The modern day Israel's Southern border follows the Sinai Peninsula down to the city of Eli-ate on the Red Sea. Today it is part of the Jerusalem and Southern District in Israel.

Judah in the Bible

Genesis 29:35  And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing. 

Genesis 49:10  The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. 

Numbers 13:6  Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh.      

Judges 1:19  And the LORD was with Judah; and he drave out the inhabitants of the mountain; but could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of iron. 

2 Samuel 2:4  And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabeshgilead were they that buried Saul. 

1 Kings 12:17-19  But as for the children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them. Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the tribute; and all Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. Therefore king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem. So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day. 

Revelation 5:5  And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.