PCC Scroll: Men of the Bible - Judah

Name: Judah

Meaning: Let Him (God) Be Praised

His Character: He was a leader among his brothers.

His Sorrow: He and his brothers sold Joseph into slavery.

His Triumph: He received the choice blessing from his father, Jacob, over his three older brothers. Judah would be the greatest of the Tribes and through his lineage King David and Jesus were born.

Scripture Reference: Genesis 37:26-36, 38, 42-45

Judah was the fourth son of Jacob and Leah. He was a natural leader among his brothers. This leadership was displayed when he interceded for Joseph by suggesting the brothers sell him into slavery instead of murdering him, when he took responsibility for Benjamin returning home from Egypt, and when he offered himself into slavery for Benjamin. He was a man who acted decisively in high-pressure situations.

Like all humans, Judah had many weaknesses. He and his brothers were jealous of Joseph because Joseph was his father’s favorite. This jealousy led to the brothers plotting to kill Joseph; they sold him into slavery instead. He also did not follow through on his promises to his daughter-in-law, Tamar, out of fear for his son, Shelah. In the end, he was forced to confess his sin against her.

On his deathbed, Jacob blessed Judah. Blessings held spiritual power and were prophetic. Jacob called Judah a lion and said his brothers would bow before him. Jacob proclaimed the staff of leadership would not be taken from Judah or his descendants.

Judah’s name is synonymous with praise. The first time the word praise is found in the Bible is at Judah’s birth (Genesis 29:35). “…Now will I (Leah) praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing.” The word is found most frequently in the Psalms.

Yadah is a Hebrew word for praise. It means, “To give thanks, laud, praise.” Halal is another Hebrew word for praise. It means, “To praise, celebrate, glory, sing (praise), boast.” The word Halal is the source for the word Hallelujah. Hallelujah is simply translated as “Praise the Lord!” A more correct translation is “Let us praise Yah.” Yah is a short version of Yahweh, the Israeli name for God. God is “He who causes to be.”

Praise is one of the most powerful weapons we have, but we utilize it the least. Whatever we deal with would be easier to handle if we would Let Him (He who causes to be) Be Praised.