Jump to: ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Geographical and Historical Context:Judea, a region of significant biblical importance, is located in the southern part of ancient Israel. It is bordered by Samaria to the north, the Dead Sea to the east, and the Mediterranean Sea to the west. The region's topography is diverse, featuring the Judean Mountains, the Jordan Valley, and the Negev Desert. Historically, Judea was the heartland of the Kingdom of Judah, which emerged after the united monarchy of Israel split following the reign of Solomon. Biblical Significance: Judea holds a central place in biblical narratives, particularly in the New Testament. It is the setting for many events in the life of Jesus Christ and the early Christian church. The region is home to Jerusalem, the spiritual and political center of Jewish life, where the Temple stood as the focal point of worship and sacrifice. Old Testament References: In the Old Testament, Judea is often referred to as the land of Judah. It was allotted to the tribe of Judah, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The region's significance is highlighted in the narratives of the kings of Judah, the prophetic ministries, and the return from Babylonian exile. The prophets frequently addressed the people of Judah, calling them to repentance and faithfulness to God. New Testament References: Judea is frequently mentioned in the New Testament, particularly in the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. It is the birthplace of Jesus, as recorded in Matthew 2:1: "After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem." The ministry of John the Baptist also took place in Judea, as noted in Matthew 3:1: "In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea." Jesus' ministry often brought Him to Judea, where He taught, performed miracles, and engaged with the religious leaders. The region was a focal point for His final week, culminating in His crucifixion and resurrection in Jerusalem. The early church in Judea faced persecution, as seen in Acts 8:1: "On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria." Cultural and Religious Context: Judea was a melting pot of cultures and religious influences during the time of Jesus. It was under Roman occupation, which brought political tension and unrest. The Jewish population in Judea was diverse, including Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, and Zealots, each with distinct beliefs and practices. The region's religious life centered around the Temple in Jerusalem, which was the site of pilgrimage and worship for Jews from across the world. Significance for Early Christianity: Judea played a crucial role in the spread of early Christianity. The apostles and early disciples began their ministry in Jerusalem and Judea, as instructed by Jesus in Acts 1:8: "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." The church in Judea faced challenges and persecution, yet it remained a vital center for the burgeoning Christian faith. Conclusion: Judea's rich biblical history and its role in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ make it a region of profound spiritual significance. Its landscapes, cities, and people are woven into the fabric of biblical narrative, offering insights into God's redemptive plan through His chosen people and the life of His Son, Jesus Christ. ATS Bible Dictionary JudeaOr land of the Jews, a name sometimes given to the southern part of the Holy Land; and sometimes, especially by foreigners, to the whole country. In the general division of Canaan among the tribes, the southeast part fell to the lot of the tribe of Judah. With the increasing ascendency of that tribe the name of Judah covered a more extended territory, 2 Samuel 5:5; and after the secession of the ten tribes, the kingdom of Judah included the territory of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, with a part of that of Simeon and Dan. Judah thus occupied all the southern portion of Palestine, while the northern part was called Galilee, and the middle Samaria. After the captivity, as most of those who returned were of the kingdom of Judah, the name Judah, or Judea, was applied generally to the whole of Palestine, Haggai 1:1,14 2:2; and this use of the word has never wholly ceased. When the whole country fell into the power of the Romans, the former division into Galilee, Samaria, and Judea seems to have again become current, Luke 2:4 John 4:3,4. Josephus describes Judea in his day as bounded north by Samaria, east by the Jordan, west by the Mediterranean, and south by the territory of the Arabs. These boundaries seem to include a part of Idumaea. Judea in this extent constituted part of the kingdom of Herod the Great, and afterwards belonged to his son Archelaus. When the latter was banished for his cruelties, Judea was reduced to the form of a Roman province, annexed to the proconsulate of Syria, and governed by procurators, until it was at length given as part of his kingdom to Herod Agrippa II. During all this time, the boundaries of the province were often varied, by the addition or abstraction of different towns and cities. The original territory of the tribe of Judah was an elevated plain, much broken by frequent hills, ravines, and valleys, and sinking into fine plains and pasture-grounds on the west and south, Zechariah 7:7. It was a healthy, pleasant, and fruitful land. The valleys yielded large crops of grain; and the hills were terraced, watered, covered with vines, Genesis 49:11,12, and rich in olives, figs, and many other fruits. See CANAAN. The "hill country" of Judah lay south and southeast of Jerusalem, Luke 1:39,65, including Bethlehem, Hebron, etc. "The plain" refers usually to the low ground near the Jordan, 2 Samuel 2:29 2 Kings 25:4,5. The "wilderness of Judea," in which John began to preach, and where Christ was tempted, seems to have been in the eastern part of Judah, adjacent to the Dead sea, and stretching towards Jericho, 2 Samuel 15:28. It is still one of the most dreary and desolate regions of the whole country, Matthew 3:1 4:1. Easton's Bible Dictionary After the Captivity this name was applied to the whole of the country west of the Jordan (Haggai 1:1, 14; 2:2). But under the Romans, in the time of Christ, it denoted the southernmost of the three divisions of Palestine (Matthew 2:1, 5; 3:1; 4:25), although it was also sometimes used for Palestine generally (Acts 28:21).The province of Judea, as distinguished from Galilee and Samaria, included the territories of the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, Dan, Simeon, and part of Ephraim. Under the Romans it was a part of the province of Syria, and was governed by a procurator. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia JUDEAjoo-de'-a: In Ezra 5:8 for "Judah"; thus the Revised Version (British and American). In the New Testament the form is JUDAEA (which see). Greek 5344. Phelix -- "fortunate," Felix, a governor of Judea ... "fortunate," Felix, a governor of Judea. Part of Speech ... Word Origin of Latin origin Definition "fortunate," Felix, a governor of Judea NASB Word Usage Felix (9). ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5344.htm - 7k 745. Archelaos -- "people-ruling," Archelaus, a son of Herod the ... 2401. Idoumaia -- Idumea, a region South of Judea 2453. Ioudaios -- Jewish, a Jew, Judea 4194. Pontios -- Pontius (Pilate), a governor of Judea 4201. Porkios -- Porcius (Festus), a governor of Judea 5347. Phestos -- Festus, a governor of Judea 4091. Pilatos -- Pilate, a Roman procurator of Judea 2449. Ioudaia -- Judaea. 965. Bethleem -- "house of bread," Bethlehem, a city near Jer. Strong's Hebrew 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 Library A Sight of Judea The Early Ministry in Judea The Mountainous Country of Judea. A Great Part of South Judea Cut Off under the Second Temple. ... How Crassus came into Judea, and Pillaged the Temple; and Then ... Felix is Made Procurator of Judea; as Also Concerning Agrippa ... How the Soldiers, Both in Judea and Egypt, Proclaimed Vespasian ... Varus Composes the Tumults in Judea and Crucifies About Two ... Uch was the Affiliation of Parties Throughout Judea, that The The South Country. Judea Called 'the South,' in Respect of Galilee ... Thesaurus Judea (50 Occurrences)... The province of Judea, as distinguished from Galilee and Samaria, included the territories of the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, Dan, Simeon, and part of Ephraim. ... /j/judea.htm - 22k Judaea (45 Occurrences) Region (96 Occurrences) Felix (11 Occurrences) Throughout (291 Occurrences) Judean (7 Occurrences) Procurator Desolation (131 Occurrences) Antonius Shephelah (2 Occurrences) Resources What is the significance of Judea in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Agabus in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Who was Herod the Great? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Judea (50 Occurrences)Matthew 2:1 Matthew 2:5 Matthew 2:22 Matthew 3:1 Matthew 3:5 Matthew 4:25 Matthew 19:1 Matthew 24:16 Mark 1:5 Mark 3:7 Mark 10:1 Mark 13:14 Luke 1:5 Luke 1:39 Luke 1:65 Luke 2:4 Luke 3:1 Luke 4:44 Luke 5:17 Luke 6:17 Luke 7:17 Luke 21:21 Luke 23:5 John 3:22 John 4:3 John 4:47 John 4:54 John 7:1 John 7:3 John 11:7 Acts 1:8 Acts 2:9 Acts 2:14 Acts 8:1 Acts 9:31 Acts 10:37 Acts 11:1 Acts 11:29 Acts 12:19 Acts 15:1 Acts 21:10 Acts 26:20 Acts 28:21 Romans 15:31 2 Corinthians 1:16 Galatians 1:22 1 Thessalonians 2:14 Ezra 5:8 Ezra 9:9 Daniel 5:13 Subtopics Judea: (The Southern Division of Palestine): The Term Applies to all of Palestine In Judea: It Applies to the Territory East of the Jordan River In Judea: It Extended from the Jordan River and the Dead Sea to the Mediterranean Sea Judea: Wilderness of Assigned to Benjamin Judea: Wilderness of Called Beth-Arabah Judea: Wilderness of John the Baptist Preaches In Modern Judea: A Mountainous District Modern Judea: Called: The Land of Judah Modern Judea: Comprised the Whole of the Ancient Kingdom of Judah Modern Judea: Jerusalem the Capital of Modern Judea: John the Baptist Preached In Modern Judea: One of the Divisions of the Holy Land Under the Romans Modern Judea: Our Lord: Born In Modern Judea: Our Lord: Frequently Visited Modern Judea: Our Lord: Often Left, to Escape Persecution Modern Judea: Our Lord: Tempted in the Wilderness of Modern Judea: Parts of, Desert Modern Judea: Several Christian Churches In Modern Judea: Towns of Arimathea Modern Judea: Towns of Azotus or Ashdod Modern Judea: Towns of Bethany Modern Judea: Towns of Bethlehem Modern Judea: Towns of Bethphage Modern Judea: Towns of Ephraim Modern Judea: Towns of Jericho Related Terms |
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