Geographical and Historical Context:

Judaea, also spelled Judea, is a region of significant historical and religious importance, located in the southern part of ancient Israel. It is bordered by Samaria to the north and Idumea to the south. The region encompasses the mountainous area surrounding Jerusalem, extending to the Dead Sea in the east and the Mediterranean Sea in the west. Judaea's landscape is characterized by its rugged terrain, with the Judean Hills and the Judean Desert forming prominent features.

Historically, Judaea was the heartland of the Kingdom of Judah, which emerged after the division of the united monarchy of Israel following the reign of Solomon. The region's centrality to Jewish identity and religion is underscored by its association with Jerusalem, the site of the First and Second Temples, and the spiritual center of Judaism.

Biblical Significance:

Judaea holds a prominent place in the biblical narrative, serving as the backdrop for many events in both the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament, Judaea is the land allotted to the tribe of Judah, from which the region derives its name. The tribe of Judah was one of the twelve tribes of Israel, and it played a pivotal role in the history of the Israelites.

In the New Testament, Judaea is frequently mentioned as the setting for the ministry of Jesus Christ and the early Christian church. The Gospel of Matthew records the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem of Judaea (Matthew 2:1), fulfilling the prophecy of the Messiah's birthplace. The region is also the site of significant events such as the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist in the Jordan River, which flows along the eastern border of Judaea.

The Berean Standard Bible provides several references to Judaea, highlighting its importance in the life and ministry of Jesus. For instance, in Matthew 3:1, John the Baptist is described as preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, calling for repentance in preparation for the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven. Additionally, Jesus' travels through Judaea are documented in the Gospels, as He taught, performed miracles, and engaged with both followers and adversaries.

Political and Religious Context:

During the time of Jesus, Judaea was under Roman occupation, governed by a series of Roman prefects and procurators, including Pontius Pilate, who played a crucial role in the trial and crucifixion of Jesus. The Roman influence in Judaea is evident in the political tensions and social dynamics of the period, as the Jewish population navigated the challenges of foreign rule while maintaining their religious traditions and identity.

The religious landscape of Judaea was marked by the presence of various Jewish sects, including the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes, each with distinct beliefs and practices. The Pharisees, known for their strict adherence to the Law and oral traditions, often clashed with Jesus over interpretations of the Law and issues of religious authority. The Sadducees, who were associated with the Temple priesthood, held significant power in the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council.

Cultural and Theological Impact:

Judaea's cultural and theological impact extends beyond its geographical boundaries, influencing the development of early Christianity and shaping the religious landscape of the ancient world. The region's association with key biblical events and figures underscores its enduring significance in Christian theology and history.

The apostolic mission to spread the Gospel began in Jerusalem, the heart of Judaea, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. Acts 1:8 captures Jesus' command to His disciples: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." This directive highlights Judaea's role as the starting point for the global mission of the early church.

In summary, Judaea is a region rich in biblical history and theological significance, serving as the setting for pivotal events in the narrative of God's redemptive plan as revealed in Scripture.Judaea

Judea, same as Judah

JUDAEA

joo-de'-a, ju-de'-a (Ioudaia): The "land of the Jews," the Greco-Roman equivalent of Judah. As most of the Israelites returning from the captivity belonged to the tribe of Judah, they came to be called Jews and their land Judea. In Tobit 1:18 the name is applied to the old kingdom of Judah. For a general description of the physical geography and early history of this region see JUDAH. The limits of this district varied greatly, extending as the Jewish population increased, but in many periods with very indefinite boundaries.

Under the Persian empire, Judea (or Judah) was a district administered by a governor who, like Zerubbabel (Haggai 1:14; Haggai 2:2), was probably usually a Jew. Even as late as Judas Maccabeus, Hebron and its surroundings-the very heart of old Judah was under the domination of the Edomites, whom, however, Judas conquered (1 Maccabees 5:65); in the time of his brother Jonathan (145 B.C.), three tetrarchies of Samaria, Aphaerema, Lydda and Ramathaim, were added to Judea (1 Maccabees 10:30, 38; 11:34); in some passages it is referred to at this time as the "land of Judah" (Iouda) (1 Maccabees 10:30, 33, 37). The land was then roughly limited by what may be called the "natural boundaries of Judah" (see JUDAH).

Strabo (xvi.11, 21) extends the name Judea to include practically all Palestine; as does Luke (4:44 m; 23:05; Acts 2:9; Acts 10:37, etc.). In several New Testament references (Matthew 4:25 Mark 1:5; Mark 3:7 Luke 5:17 John 3:22 Acts 1:8), Judea is contrasted with its capital Jerusalem. The country bordering on the shores of the Dead Sea for some miles inland was known as the Wilderness of Judea (see JUDAH; JESHIMON) (Matthew 3:1), or "the wilderness" (Mark 1:4 Luke 3:2); here John the Baptist appeared as a preacher. According to Matthew 19:1 (but compare Mark 10:1, where the Revised Version (British and American) has "Judaea and beyond Jordan"), some cities beyond Jordan belonged to Judea. That this was an actual fact we know from Ptolemy (v.16, 9) and Josephus (Ant., XII, iv, 11).

According to Josephus (BJ, III, iii, 5), Judea extended from Anuath-Borkaeos (i.e. Khan Berkit near Khan es Saweh, close to the most northerly frontier of Judah as described in JUDAH (which see)) to the village Jordan, possibly Tell `Arad, near Arabia in the South. Its breadth was from Joppa in the West to Jordan in the East. The seacoast also as far north as Ptolemais (`Akka), except Jamnia, Joppa and (according to the Talm) Caesarea, belonged to this province.

After the death of Herod the Great, Archelaus received Judea, Samaria and Idumea as his ethnarchy, but on his deposition Judea was absorbed into the Roman province of Syria, the procurator of which lived at Caesarea.

Of later history it is only necessary to notice that in the 5th century Judea became part of the land known as Palaestina Prima; that at the time of the Latin kingdom of Jerusalem (12th century) all the hill country of Judah from Sinjil to Tekoa was the royal domain, while the southern section to Beersheba belonged to the Seigneur de Abraham (i.e. of Hebron); and lastly that a district, the rough equivalent of the kingdom of Judah, though larger, and of the Judea described by Josephus (BJ, III, iii, 5), though slightly smaller, forms today the Mutaserraflic of el Kuds, an administrative area where more than in any spot in the world the problem of the "land of the Jews" is today increasingly acute.

E. W. G. Masterman

JUDAEA, WILDERNESS OF

(Matthew 3:1).

See JUDAEA.

2449. Ioudaia -- Judaea.
... 2448, 2449. Ioudaia. 2450 . Judaea. ... Judaea. Feminine of Ioudaios (with ge implied);
the Judaean land (ie Judaea), a region of Palestine -- Judaea. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2449.htm - 6k

2453. Ioudaios -- Jewish, a Jew, Judea
... Jewess, of Judaea. From Iouda (in the sense of Ioudas as a country); Judaean, ie
Belonging to Jehudah -- Jew(-ess), of Judaea. see GREEK Iouda. see GREEK Ioudas ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2453.htm - 7k

3714. oreinos -- mountainous, the hill country
... hill country. From oros; mountainous, ie (feminine by implication, of chora) the
Highlands (of Judaea) -- hill country. see GREEK oros. see GREEK chora. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3714.htm - 6k

4540. Samareia -- Samaria, the name of both a city and a region in ...
... Spelling: (sam-ar'-i-ah) Short Definition: Samaria Definition: Samaria, a small
district of Palestine, bounded by Galilee on the north, and by Judaea on the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4540.htm - 6k

3061. Yehud -- the S. kingdom, named for one of the twelve tribes
... Jewry, Judah, Judea. (Aramaic) contracted from a form corresponding to Yhuwdah;
properly, Judah, hence, Judaea -- Jewry, Judah, Judea. see HEBREW Yhuwdah. ...
/hebrew/3061.htm - 6k

In Judaea
... Chapter 5 In Judaea. ... Hers was quite another and a peculiar claim. Galilee might be
the outer court, but Judaea was like the inner sanctuary of Israel. ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 5 in judaea.htm

The First Ministry of the Baptist.
... for him to utter the mighty burden that pressed upon him; and "in the fifteenth
year of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, Herod the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/v the first ministry of.htm

"We must Increase, but I must Decrease. "
... the crowds of Passover pilgrims were dispersing homewards, He also left the city
with his disciples, and began a missionary tour throughout the land of Judaea. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/ix we must increase but.htm

A Bird's-Eye view of the Early Church
... 'So the Church throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria had ... I. Outward rest.
'Then had the Church rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria.'. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/a birds-eye view of the.htm

The Breaking Out of Discord
... 'And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the ... Luke delicately suggests
this by saying that they 'came down from Judaea,' rather than from Jerusalem. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/the breaking out of discord.htm

Jesus is Born in Bethlehem
... So she got ready for a long journey, and went off into the hill country of Judaea
to see Elizabeth. And God had also promised to send Elizabeth a son. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/the good shepherd/chapter ii jesus is born.htm

In Galilee at the Time of Our Lord
... by which Rabbinical pride distinguished between the material wealth of Galilee and
the supremacy in traditional lore claimed for the academies of Judaea proper ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 3 in galilee at.htm

Palestine Eighteen Centuries Ago
... The formal decision, however, was for a time postponed by a fresh insurrection
in Judaea, which was quelled only with difficulty. ...
/.../sketches of jewish social life/chapter 1 palestine eighteen centuries.htm

Witnessing Better than Knowing the Future
... But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall
be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 39 1893/witnessing better than knowing the.htm

John the Baptist
... work. So John went down from the wild hills of Judaea to the River Jordan,
and he began to preach to everyone who passed by. There ...
/.../anonymous/the good shepherd/chapter iv john the baptist.htm

Judaea (45 Occurrences)
...JUDAEA. joo-de'-a, ju-de'-a (Ioudaia): The "land of the Jews," the Greco-Roman
equivalent of Judah. ... EWG Masterman. JUDAEA, WILDERNESS OF. ...
/j/judaea.htm - 24k

District (59 Occurrences)
... Mark 1:5 And there went out to him all the district of Judaea, and all they of
Jerusalem, and were baptised by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. ...
/d/district.htm - 24k

Escape (142 Occurrences)
... Gehenna? (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Matthew 24:16 "then let
those who are in Judaea escape to the hills; (WEY). Matthew ...
/e/escape.htm - 38k

Wilderness (304 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. JUDAEA, WILDERNESS OF. ... WILDERNESS. wil'-der-nes.
See DESERT; JUDAEA, WILDERNESS OF; WANDERINGS OF ISRAEL. SIN, WILDERNESS OF. ...
/w/wilderness.htm - 43k

Inhabitants (254 Occurrences)
... Mark 1:5 There went out to him people of all classes from Judaea, and the inhabitants
of Jerusalem of all ranks, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan ...
/i/inhabitants.htm - 41k

Tarried (42 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS). John 3:22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the
land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. (KJV ASV WBS). ...
/t/tarried.htm - 18k

Beth-lehem (49 Occurrences)
... Matthew 2:1 Now when the birth of Jesus took place in Beth-lehem of Judaea, in the
days of Herod the king, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, (BBE ...
/b/beth-lehem.htm - 21k

Coasts (58 Occurrences)
... Matthew 19:1 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he
departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan; (KJV ...
/c/coasts.htm - 24k

Churches (39 Occurrences)
... Acts 9:31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria,
and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort ...
/c/churches.htm - 20k

Spread (257 Occurrences)
... Luke 1:65 And all who lived round about them were filled with awe, and throughout
the hill country of Judaea reports of all these things were spread abroad. ...
/s/spread.htm - 40k

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