Nehemiah 12:32 — Word Study
WLCוַיֵּ֤לֶךְ אַחֲרֵיהֶם֙ הוֹשַׁ֣עְיָ֔ה וַחֲצִ֖י שָׂרֵ֥י יְהוּדָֽה׃
BSAHoshaiahHôwshaʻyâh [a leader of Judah, Jehovah's salvation] and halfchêtsîy [a division, a part of] the leaderssar [rulers, princes] of JudahYᵉhûwdâh [the tribe descended from Judah]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיֵּ֤לֶךְ | and he went | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| אַחֲרֵיהֶם֙ | behind them | Suffix |
| הוֹשַׁ֣עְיָ֔ה | Hoshaiah | Noun proper masculine |
| וַחֲצִ֖י | and [the] half of | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular construct |
| שָׂרֵ֥י | [the] leaders of | Noun common, masculine plural construct |
| יְהוּדָֽה׃ | Judah | Noun proper |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Hoshaiah and half the leaders of Judah followed, |
| KJV | And after them went Hoshaiah, and half of the princes of Judah, |
| ASV | and after them went Hoshaiah, and half of the princes of Judah, |
| YLT | and after them goeth Hoshaiah, and half of the heads of Judah, |
| WEB | and after them went Hoshaiah, with half of the princes of Judah, |
| BBE | And after them went Hoshaiah and half of the rulers of Judah, |
Translations agree on the essential meaning of the verse, presenting Hoshaiah and part of the leaders of Judah as following the others.
The sentence has one main clause with a prepositional phrase indicating the direction of following.
5 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Ellicott, Cambridge & more — read them ›
clause
verbהלך
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Nehemiah 12:32
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Dedication of Jerusalem's Wallgenerated
Nehemiah 12:32 describes part of the ceremony when the wall of Jerusalem was dedicated. Hoshaiah, a leader of Judah, along with half of the leaders, followed during this significant event, which emphasized the unity and commitment of the people to restore their city.
Cross References
The Key Word — הוֹשַׁעֲיָה, ho.Sha'.Yahgenerated
The name הוֹשַׁעֲיָה (Hoshaiah) means 'Jehovah has saved' and refers to notable figures in the Old Testament, particularly a prince of Judah involved in the dedication of Jerusalem's wall. The name is composed of elements that signify divine salvation.
Hoshaiah's role as a leader highlights the importance of leadership in the community's restoration efforts, emphasizing the connection between divine salvation and communal responsibility.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb וַיֵּ֤לֶךְ (and he went) governs the main clause, with the subject הוֹשַׁעֲיָה (Hoshaiah) and a noun phrase indicating the leaders of Judah. The structure emphasizes the action of following.
The phrase וַחֲצִ֖י שָׂרֵ֥י יְהוּדָֽה (and half the leaders of Judah) functions as a compound subject, indicating a division of leaders participating in the event.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates הוֹשַׁעֲיָה as ωσαια — a direct rendering that maintains the name's significance. This choice indicates continuity in the understanding of Hoshaiah's role across the Hebrew and Greek texts.
The Greek word ἐπορεύθη corresponds to the Hebrew verb וַיֵּ֤לֶךְ, suggesting a consistent interpretation of the action of following.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Nehemiah 12:32 tells us that Hoshaiah and half of the leaders of Judah followed during the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem. This highlights the leadership and commitment of the people in restoring their city.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Hoshaiah was a leader of Judah involved in the dedication of Jerusalem's wall, symbolizing divine salvation.
This phrase indicates that a portion of the leaders participated in the event, showing unity among the leaders.
Following signifies commitment and support for the restoration efforts of Jerusalem, emphasizing the importance of leadership.
This verse is part of the dedication of Jerusalem's wall, a significant moment for the community of Judah.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What does Hoshaiah's leadership teach us about our roles in our communities?
- How can we show our commitment to the restoration of our own 'walls' or communities?
- In what ways can we support our leaders as they guide us in important endeavors?
- What does following the example of leaders like Hoshaiah look like in our daily lives?
Commentators on this verse — 5 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Nehemiah 12:32 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd after them went Hoshaiah, and half of the princes of Judah. The other half of them, with Hoshaiah at the head of them.
Read John Gill on Nehemiah 12 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd the sons of the singers gathered themselves together, both out of the plain country round about Jerusalem, and from the villages of Netophathi; No JFB commentary on these verses.
Read Robert Jamieson on Nehemiah 12 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(32) After them.—These verses show that the clerical and the lay elements were mingled.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Nehemiah 12 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges32. and after them] i.e. behind this procession of singers and musicians came the company consisting of one-half of the princes, headed by Hoshaiah, of whose official position we are not told.
Read Cambridge on Nehemiah 12 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible32-34. Hoshaiah was probably a leading chief among these princes of Judah.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Nehemiah 12 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Hoshaiah and half the leaders of Judah followed,
and after them went Hoshaiah, with half of the princes of Judah,
Hoshaiah and half the leaders of Judah followed,
Going after them were Hoshaiah, half the leaders of Judah,
Tyndale line
And after them went Hoshaiah, and half of the princes of Judah,
and after them went Hoshaiah, and half of the princes of Judah,
and after them went Hoshaiah, and half of the princes of Judah,
And after them went Hoshaiah, and half of the princes of Judah,
And after them went Hoshaiah, and halfe of the princes of Iudah,
Strictly literal
And after them went Hoshaiah, and half of the princes of Judah,
and after them goeth Hoshaiah, and half of the heads of Judah,
and after them goes Hoshaiah, and half of the heads of Judah,
And after them walked Hosha'yah, and half of the princes of Judah,
Hoshaiah and half the leaders of Judah followed them,
From the Latin
And after them went Osaias, and half of the princes of Juda,
Simplified
Hoshaiah and half the leaders of Judah followed them,
And after them went Hoshaiah and half of the rulers of Judah,
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the wording of this verse, with all six words matched in the translation. This consistency indicates a shared understanding of the text's meaning across these traditions.
וַיֵּ֤לֶךְ אַחֲרֵיהֶם֙ הוֹשַׁ֣עְיָ֔ה וַחֲצִ֖י שָׂרֵ֥י יְהוּדָֽה׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Nehemiah 12:32
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
הָלַךְ (halak) means 'to go,' 'come,' or 'walk,' and covers a wide range of literal and figurative uses, including aspects of life and death. It can describe physical movement, moral conduct, and even influence on character. The verb appears in various forms, such as Qal, Piel, and Hithpael, indicating different nuances like leading or traversing.
הָלַךְ 1546 vb. go, come, walk
Qal Impf. usually (629 t.) as if from ילך
lit.
of persons
Also of animals, in similar meanings and combinations
in like manner of inanimate things
The inf. abs. is often used
as in other vbs., quite independently
to intensify meaning of finite form
most noteworthy is the joining of the Inf. abs.
with a following Inf. abs. denoting a simutaneous action or process, and so emphasizing duration or continuance
with a foll. vb. fin. c. ו consec. (rare)
in cases where vb. fin. is foll. by Inf. abs. adj. denoting progress, advance
twice, where vb. fin. is not הלך, but another vb. denoting motion
quite by itself
13 t. the Inf. abs. = Imv. & is followed by Pf. consec.
akin to the use of Inf. abs. are some instances of Pt.
In combination with other verbal forms
Fig.; the most common uses follow; in most the origin in a literal meaning is evident:
pass away, die
H1980 הָלַךְ go, come, walk .Impf. usually (629 t.) as if from ילך . lit. . of persons
. Also of animals, in similar meanings and combinations
. in like manner of inanimate things
. The inf. abs. is often used . as in other vbs., quite independently
. to intensify meaning of finite form
. most noteworthy is the joining of the Inf. abs. . with a following Inf. abs. denoting a simutaneous action or process, and so emphasizing duration or continuance
. with a foll. vb. fin. c. ו consec. (rare)
. in cases where vb. fin. is foll. by Inf. abs. + adj. denoting progress, advance
. twice, where vb. fin. is not הלך, but another vb. denoting motion
. quite by itself
. 13 t. the Inf. abs. = Imv. & is followed by Pf. consec.
. akin to the use of Inf. abs. are some instances of Pt.
. In combination with other verbal forms
1980 halak haw-lak'
akin to 3212; a primitive root; to walk (in a great variety
of applications, literally and figuratively):--(all) along,
apace, behave (self), come, (on) continually, be conversant,
depart, + be eased, enter, exercise (self), + follow, forth,
forward, get, go (about, abroad, along, away, forward, on,
out, up and down), + greater, grow, be wont to haunt, lead,
march, X more and more, move (self), needs, on, pass (away),
be at the point, quite, run (along), + send, speedily, spread,
still, surely, + tale-bearer, + travel(-ler), walk (abroad,
on, to and fro, up and down, to places), wander, wax,
(way-)faring man, X be weak, whirl.
see HEBREW for 03212
הָלַךְ (ha.lakh) — to go: went.
: went/go[away]
1) to go, walk, come
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away
1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.)
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to walk
1b2) to walk (fig.)
1c) (Hithpael)
1c1) to traverse
1c2) to walk about
1d) (Niphal) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
הָלַךְ (ha.lakh) — to go: come.
: come[nearer]
1) to go, walk, come
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away
1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.)
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to walk
1b2) to walk (fig.)
1c) (Hithpael)
1c1) to traverse
1c2) to walk about
1d) (Niphal) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
הָלַךְ (ha.lakh) — to go: walk.
: walk/move
1) to go, walk, come
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away
1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.)
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to walk
1b2) to walk (fig.)
1c) (Hithpael)
1c1) to traverse
Hc/Vqw3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqw3ms
The Hebrew word אַחַר (*achar*) primarily denotes the concept of 'after' or 'behind' in both spatial and temporal contexts. It functions as a substantive, adverb, preposition, and conjunction, indicating a following part or time. The related form אַחֲרַי (*acharai*) refers to a person who turns backwards. There is a reference to Proverbs 28:23 in relation to the latter.
אַחַר prop. subst. the hinder or following part
adv.
of place, behind
of time, afterwards
prep.
of place, behind, after
of time, after
conj. after that.
H310a אַחַר prop. subst. the hinder or following part . adv. . of place, behind
. of time, afterwards
. prep. . of place, behind, after
. of time, after
. conj. after that.
H310b אַחֲרַי a man that turneth backwards.
310 'achar akh-ar'
from 309; properly, the hind part; generally used as an
adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses):--after
(that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side),
behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from,
hereafter, hinder end, + out (over) live, + persecute,
posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth),
when, with.
see HEBREW for 0309
אַחַר (a.char) — after.
1) after the following part, behind (of place), hinder, afterwards (of time)
1a) as an adverb
1a1) behind (of place)
1a2) afterwards (of time)
1b) as a preposition
1b1) behind, after (of place)
1b2) after (of time)
1b3) besides
1c) as a conjunction
1c) after that
1d) as a substantive
1d1) hinder part
1e) with other prepositions
1e1) from behind
1e2) from following after
אַחֲרַי (a.cha.ray) — backwards.
backwards (of a man that turns backwards)
HAcmpc/Sp3mp — SuffixHAcmpc/Sp3mp
הוֹשַׁעֲיָה (Hoshaiah) means 'Jah has saved' and refers to two notable figures in the Old Testament. One was a prince of Judah involved in the dedication of Jerusalem's wall during Nehemiah's time, while the other was the father of Jezaniah, a significant figure after Jerusalem's destruction. The name is built from elements meaning 'to save' and 'Yah,' indicating divine salvation.
הוֹשַׁעֲיָה n.pr.m. (Yah has saved)
a prince of Judah
father of Azariah or Jezaniah, a chief in time of Jeremiah
base
H1955 הוֹשַׁעֲיָה, הוֹשַׁעְיָה
1955 Howsha`yah ho-shah-yaw'
from 3467 and 3050; Jah has saved; Hoshajah, the name of two
Israelites:--Hoshaiah.
see HEBREW for 03467
see HEBREW for 03050
הוֹשַׁעֲיָה (ho.sha.yah) — Hoshaiah.
A man living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at Neh.12.32
§ Hoshaiah = "Jehovah as saved"
1) a prince of Judah who assisted in the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem in the time of Nehemiah
2) the father of Jezaniah (or Azariah) who was a man of note after the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar in the time of Jeremiah
הוֹשַׁעֲיָה (ho.sha.yah) — Hoshaiah.
A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at Jer.42.1;
father of: Jezaniah (H3153)
§ Hoshaiah = "Jehovah as saved"
1) a prince of Judah who assisted in the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem in the time of Nehemiah
2) the father of Jezaniah (or Azariah) who was a man of note after the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar in the time of Jeremiah
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
ho-sha'-ya (hosha`yah, "whom Yahweh helpeth"):
(1) Father of Jezaniah (probably = Azariah, so the Septuagint; compare Jer 42:1 and 43:2 with 2Ki 25:23 and note similar letters in names in Hebrew), who with other leaders antagonized the policy and counsel of Jeremiah after the fall of Jerusalem (Jer 42:1-43:7).
(2) A man, probably of Judah, who led half of the princes of Judah in procession at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem (Ne 12:32).
(whom Jehovah aids). A man who assisted in the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem after it had been rebuilt by Nehemiah. (Nehemiah 12:32) (B.C. 446.). The father of a certain Jezaniah or Azariah, who was a man of note after, the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezsar. (Jeremiah 42:1; 43:2) (B.C. after 588.)
the salvation of the Lord
חֲצִי (chetsiy) means 'half' or 'middle,' referring to a division of something into two parts. It can denote the concept of 'midnight' as well. The word is derived from a root that also relates to 'midst' or 'part.'
חֲצִי 123 n.m. half
half of anything
middle … midnight
base
H2677 חֲצִי half . half of anything
. middle … midnight
2677 chetsiy khay-tsee'
from 2673; the half or middle:--half, middle, mid(-night),
midst, part, two parts.
see HEBREW for 02673
חֲצִי (che.tsi) — half.
1) half
1a) half
1b) middle
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular constructHC/Ncmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
שַׂר (sar) refers to a leader or ruler, encompassing a range of meanings from prince and chief to official and captain. It denotes various ranks, including military commanders and religious leaders, and can also imply a noble or merchant of high status. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to rule'.
שַׂר 420 n.m. chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince
base
H8269 שַׂר chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince
8269 sar sar
from 8323; a head person (of any rank or class):--captain
(that had rule), chief (captain), general, governor, keeper,
lord, ((-task- ))master, prince(-ipal), ruler, steward.
see HEBREW for 08323
שַׂר (sar) — ruler.
1) prince, ruler, leader, chief, chieftain, official, captain
1a) chieftain, leader
1b) vassal, noble, official (under king)
1c) captain, general, commander (military)
1d) chief, head, overseer (of other official classes)
1e) heads, princes (of religious office)
1f) elders (of representative leaders of people)
1g) merchant-princes (of rank and dignity)
1h) patron-angel
1i) Ruler of rulers (of God)
1j) warden
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural constructHNcmpc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
יְהוּדָה (yehudah) means 'Judah' and is derived from a root meaning 'praised.' It refers to the son of Jacob and Leah, the tribe descended from him, and the territory they occupied. The term also encompasses the southern kingdom of Judah, which included the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. Additionally, it identifies various individuals, including Levites and overseers during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah.
יְהוּדָה 820 n.pr.m. et terr. Judah
n.pr.m.
son of Jacob and Leah
tribe descended from Judah
nation, of southern kingdom under dynasty of David, as distinguished from northern kingdom of Ephraim or Israel
Levite, Ezra’s time
an overseer of Jerus.
Levite musician
priest
n.pr.terr. land of Judah
base
H3063 יְהוּדָה Judah
3063 Yhuwdah yeh-hoo-daw'
from 3034; celebrated; Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five
Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of
its territory:--Judah.
see HEBREW for 03034
יְהוּדָה (ye.hu.dah) — Judah.
A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.29.35;
son of: Israel (H3478) and Leah (H3812);
brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074) and Dinah (H1783);
half-brother of: Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); married to Bath-shua (H1323I) and Tamar (H8559);
father of: Er (H6147), Onan (H0209), Shelah (H7956), Perez (H6557) and Zerah (H2226I)
§ Judah = "praised"
1) the son of Jacob by Leah
2) the tribe descended from Judah the son of Jacob
3) the territory occupied by the tribe of Judah
4) the kingdom comprised of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin which occupied the southern part of Canaan after the nation split upon the death of Solomon
5) a Levite in Ezra's time
N-proper — Noun properHNpl
Judah
Praise, the fourth son of Jacob by Leah. The name originated in Leah’s words of praise to the Lord on account of his birth: “Now will I praise [Heb. odeh] Jehovah, and she called his name Yehudah” (Gen. 29:35).
It was Judah that interposed in behalf of Joseph, so that his life was spared (Gen. 37:26, 27). He took a lead in the affairs of the family, and “prevailed above his brethren” (Gen. 43:3-10; 44:14, 16-34; 46:28; 1 Chr. 5:2).
Soon after the sale of Joseph to the Ishmaelites, Judah went to reside at Adullam, where he married a woman of Canaan. (See ONAN; TAMAR.) After the death of his wife Shuah, he returned to his father’s house, and there exercised much…
(praised, celebrated), the fourth son of Jacob and the fourth of Leah. (B.C. after 1753.) Of Judah’s personal character more traits are preserved than of any other of the patriarchs, with the exception of Joseph, whose life he in conjunction with Reuben saved. (Genesis 37:26-28) During the second visit to Egypt for corn it was Judah who understood to be responsible for the safety of Benjamin, ch. (Genesis 43:3-10) and when, through Joseph’s artifice, the brothers were brought back to the palace, he is again the leader and spokesman of the band. So too it is Judah who is sent before Jacob to smooth the way for him in the land of Goshen. ch. (Genesis 46:28) This ascendancy over his brethren is reflected in the last words…
The fourth son of Jacob and Leah, born in Mesopotamia, B. C. 1755, Ge 29:35. His name appears honorably in the history of Joseph, Ge 37:26,27 44:16-34; but disgracefully in that of Tamar his daughter-in-law, Ge 38:1-30. The dying benediction of Jacob foretells the superior power and prosperity of the family of Judah, and their continuance as chief of the Jewish race until the time of Christ, Ge 49:8-12. Though not the firstborn, Judah soon came to be considered as the chief of Jacob’s children, and his tribe was the most powerful and numerous. The southeastern part of Palestine fell to their lot. See JUDEA. On the border of their territory was Jerusalem, the seat of the…
the praise of the Lord; confession