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Your portion of the weekly portion - and this week we will discuss " VaYetzeh". our Biblical Hebrew newsletter is happy to present you the Jewish weekly portion of the week, which is read during prayer services on the Sabbath.
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Dear friends,
Today we will discuss one of the most important tribes of Israel: Judah. Judah was the fourth son of Jacob and Leah, and the father of the tribe of Judah - later to become the Jewish people.
Judah
Birth
Judah's birth is described matter-of-factly in Genesis 29:35. He is the last in a sequence of four boys born to Leah before she ceases to give birth for some time.
Naming
| Judah's name is apparently from the root |
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literally "to give thanks, praise". |
Leah names Judah, saying "This time I will praise God".
Personal History
Judah plays an important role in Joseph's story, and we also hear about his own family much more than about any of the other sons of Jacob.
In the story of Joseph, the brothers throw Joseph into a pit and plan to leave him there to die. Judah suggests acting differently, saying:
"What profit is there by killing our brother and concealing his blood"? (Genesis 37:26)
Joseph's brothers raise him
from the pit in order to sell him,
James J. Tissot
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Following Judah's suggestion, the brothers sell Joseph to merchants passing by, and he is taken to Egypt. This saves not only Joseph's life, but all of Jacob's family, who later join Joseph in Egypt when there is a famine in Canaan.
When the brothers go down to Egypt in order to break bread, they meet with the important minister Joseph, whom they do not recognize. Joseph does not make himself known to his brothers, and inquires about the family. He demands that they not come down to him asking for food again without their younger brother. Jacob is reluctant to send Benjamin, but it is Judah who promises to be surety for Benjamin (Genesis 43:8-10). His honest promise, together with the grave hunger, convinces Jacob to send Benjamin.
In Egypt, Joseph plants his silver cup in Benjamin's bag, and accuses him of stealing, threatening to arrest him. It is Judah who stands up and speaks to Joseph, and asks that he be arrested instead of Benjamin, because of his promise to his father (Genesis 44:34-18). Only when Joseph sees this does he make himself known to his brothers.
Judah begging Joseph, James J. Tissot
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In addition, we also hear of Judah's family - his wives and sons, in Genesis 38. Judah was married to a woman, who bore him three sons. The oldest of them, Er, married a local woman named Tamar, and then died. The second, Onan, then married her as part of his duties to raise an offspring for his brother, and died as well. Judah then told Tamar to remain in her father's house until his youngest son, Shelah, was grown up, and we are told that he said this because he did not wish for another one of his sons to marry her.
Some time later, when Tamar realizes that she is not being given to Shelah in marriage, she dresses up as a prostitute and seduces Judah. She takes his signet, cord, and staff as a pledge, for he did not have the payment she asked for on his person. When Judah discovers that Tamar is pregnant, he orders to have her burned for adultery. However, she then presents his pledge, and he realizes what happened and admits that Tamar is more righteous than he himself is. Tamar gives birth to twin boys: Perez and Zerah. In the Book of Ruth, we learn that King David is a direct descendant of Perez, the firstborn of the twins.
David, by Michelangelo
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Future as described in the blessings of Jacob and Moses
In the blessing of Jacob, we are told how the tribe of Judah will rule all of Israel. Jacob also describes the plentiful Judean territory and the vines growing there (Genesis 49:8-12).
In the blessing of Moses, Judah is blessed that God will hear him and help him rule, as well as save him from his enemies.
The Tribe in Biblical History
During the times of Moses, the only special mention of a member of the Tribe of Judah is when the Tabernacle is being built. Bezalel the son of Uri the son of Hur from the tribe of Judah is the craftsman in charge of the artistic work of the Tabernacle (Exodus 35:30-35).
When entering the Land of Canaan, the Tribe of Judah is mentioned because one of its members, Achan, committed a trespassing and took loot which was forbidden and should have been dedicated to God. Achan admits to his crime, and is stoned to death.
Achan is stoned to death, Gustave Doré
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The Judeans played an important part in all of Joshua's wars and assisted in conquering Canaan.
The most important member of the tribe is, of course, King David. He is first anointed by the prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 16), and then appointed as king of Israel after the death of Saul (2 Samuel 5). We promise to dedicate a separate newsletter to King David in the future!
After the times of Solomon, David's son, the Israelites divide into two kingdoms: Israel and Judah (1 Kings 12). From then on, the history of the Judeans, and later the Jewish people, is in fact the history of the tribe of Judah.
Have a great week!
The Biblical Hebrew Online Team.
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The teaching do bring sense as i study two days before my jame's version concerning these two brethren simeon and lew,am sure they are few in number but more stronger than others,between twelve tribes from jackob and its God will.
May Almight God bless you all.
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I must say that what I had look for for years is finally here.I had purposed my self to go through the bible and make my own findings about the 12 tribes of Israel and where are they now.Although I still do that but this Classicla Hebrew class has simplified my work.It has given me the summary of the whole issue.I will walk together with you till the end.
If possible tell us where on the earth now are these people distributed.
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I am very thrilled nowing how important the tribes of Israel are in the unfolding future.I do think about the significance of the gates of Jerusalem where all these names are insribed.God is revealling the beauty of his kingdom and his servvants-your lessons are amazing.
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