יְהוּדַי (ye.hu.da.i)

ye.hu.da.i

Jew

H3062 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 9 verses

N:N--PG

Language: Biblical Hebrew
Testament: Old Testament
Occurrences: 9 verses
Root: —
Part of speech: N:N--PG

Word Overview

The term yĕhûdî denotes a person descended from Judah, though by the time it appears in the Hebrew Bible, it refers broadly to members of the tribe of Benjamin and Levi who remained in the land after the northern kingdom fell. The lexicon data notes its first mention in 2 Kings 25:25, where it identifies those remaining in Judah following the Babylonian conquest.

Its usage shifts significantly in the books of Ezra and Daniel, which are written partly in Aramaic. Here, the word functions as a political and ethnic identifier for the Jewish people living under foreign empires, distinguishing them from other nations. This reflects a community defining itself not just by lineage, but by shared faith and survival in exile.

The form yĕhûdî is distinct from its Hebrew counterpart yĕhûdî (H3064), which appears in later biblical texts. The Aramaic variant highlights the cross-cultural nature of the post-exilic period, where Jewish identity was negotiated within imperial contexts. This linguistic nuance underscores how the term evolved from a tribal designation to a broader religious and ethnic label.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word for 'Jew' in these texts carries a weight far heavier than simple geography or family trees. It marks a people who, after losing their land and temple, had to learn how to remain faithful to God while living under foreign empires. This identity was not just about where they were born, but what they believed and whom they served when no one else did.

For you, this offers a quiet comfort. Your faith is not defined by your surroundings or your safety, but by your covenant with the Lord. Like those in exile, you may find yourself navigating cultures that do not share your values. This word reminds us that belonging to God is a resilient thing, capable of surviving even when everything around it seems to crumble.

Consider the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3. They were called 'Jews' not because they held political power, but because they refused to compromise their worship. Their identity gave them the courage to stand firm. This same faith is available to you today, grounding you in hope regardless of the pressures you face.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 9 verses where it appears, by frequency.

Jews/ the9×
Jewish1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

יְהוּדָיֵ/א֙3×
יְהוּדָיֵ֔/א2×
יְה֣וּדָיֵ֔/א2×
יְהוּדָיֵֽ/א\׃1×
יְהוּדָיֵ֗/א1×
יְהוּדָאיִ֗ן1×

Key Verses

Daniel 3:12
There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, have not respected you. They don’t serve your gods, and don’t worship the golden image which you have set up.”

This verse shows how 'Jew' functioned as a label for religious distinctiveness, identifying Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego by their refusal to worship the king's gods.
Ezra 4:12
Be it known to the king that the Jews who came up from you have come to us to Jerusalem. They are building the rebellious and bad city, and have finished the walls and repaired the foundations.

Here the term highlights political tension, as opponents accuse the returning exiles of rebellion based on their ethnic and religious identity.
Daniel 3:8
Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near and brought accusation against the Jews.

The accusation against the Jews demonstrates how their unique faith made them visible targets in a hostile imperial environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the word 'Jew' mean in the Old Testament?

It originally referred to a member of the tribe of Judah. After the northern kingdom fell, it came to describe all Israelites who remained in the land, and later, those in exile who maintained their distinct faith and identity under foreign rule.

Why is this word used in both Hebrew and Aramaic?

The books of Ezra and Daniel contain Aramaic sections because they deal with the Persian empire. The term appears in Aramaic to show how Jewish identity was understood and negotiated within international political contexts, not just local tribal ones.

How is this different from 'Israelite'?

'Israelite' typically refers to the broader nation or the northern tribes, while 'Jew' specifically denotes those from Judah. Over time, as the southern kingdom became the primary remnant, 'Jew' became the common term for the entire covenant people.

Every Occurrence (9 verses across 2 books)

Ezra 7 verses

Ezra 4:12

Be it known to the king that the Jews who came up from you have come to us to Jerusalem. They are building the…

Ezra 4:23

Then when the copy of King Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they…

Ezra 5:1

Now the prophets, Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and…

Ezra 5:5

But the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, and they didn’t make them cease until the matter should come to…

Ezra 6:7

Leave the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of…

Ezra 6:8

Moreover I make a decree regarding what you shall do for these elders of the Jews for the building of this house of…

Ezra 6:14

The elders of the Jews built and prospered, through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of…

Daniel 2 verses