feminine of יְהוּדִי; Jehudijah, a Jewess; Jehudijah.
Transliteration:Yᵉhudîyâh
Pronunciation:yeh-hoo-dee-yaw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma יְהֻדִיָּה (Yᵉhudîyâh, `{{H3057}}`) is a feminine noun derived directly from יְהוּדִי (Yᵉhûdî, `{{H3064}}`), meaning "Jew" or "Judean." Therefore, its core meaning is "Jewess," referring specifically to a female member of the Jewish people or an inhabitant of the territory of Judah. As a proper noun, "Jehudijah" functions as a personal name that inherently carries this ethnic and religious identity. The semantic range is quite narrow, focused on the identity of a female from the tribe or kingdom of Judah, or more broadly, a member of the covenant people of Israel.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term Yᵉhudîyâh (`{{H3057}}`) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in [[1 Chronicles 4:18]]. The verse states: "And his wife Jehudijah bore Jered the father of Gedor, and Heber the father of Soco, and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah. And these are the sons of Bithiah the daughter of Pharaoh, whom Mered took."
The context is the detailed genealogies of the tribe of Judah, which are meticulously recorded in the book of Chronicles to establish lineage and covenant continuity. The syntax of [[1 Chronicles 4:18]] presents some interpretive challenges regarding Mered's wives. It suggests that Mered had two wives: Jehudijah and Bithiah, the daughter of Pharaoh. Jehudijah is presented as the mother of Jered, Heber, and Jekuthiel, who are associated with the founding of towns or families (Gedor, Soco, Zanoah). The explicit naming of "Jehudijah" (Jewess) for one wife stands in stark contrast to "Bithiah the daughter of Pharaoh" (an Egyptian princess). This contrast underscores Jehudijah's identity as an Israelite woman, firmly rooted within the covenant community of Judah, a crucial detail in the context of these genealogies. Her role as a matriarch bearing sons who become progenitors reinforces her significance in the tribal lineage.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the masculine form, יְהוּדִי (Yᵉhûdî, `{{H3064}}`), meaning "Jew" or "Judean." This term itself is derived from יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûdâ, `{{H3063}}`), the name of Jacob's fourth son, the tribe descending from him, and later the southern kingdom. The identity of "Jew" or "Jewess" is thus inextricably linked to the lineage and heritage of Judah.
Other related concepts include:
* **Ethnic and Religious Identity:** The name highlights the distinct identity of the people of Israel, set apart by their covenant relationship with YHWH.
* **Genealogy:** The meticulous recording of lineages, particularly in Chronicles, emphasizes the importance of family descent for establishing tribal rights, land inheritance, and most significantly, the continuity of the messianic line.
* **Covenant:** The identity of a "Jewess" is fundamentally tied to the Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants, signifying belonging to the chosen people of God.
### Theological Significance
The single occurrence of Yᵉhudîyâh (`{{H3057}}`) in the genealogies of Judah carries subtle yet profound theological significance:
* **Covenantal Purity and Identity:** In a context where intermarriage with foreign women was often viewed with apprehension (as seen in Ezra and Nehemiah), the explicit designation of "Jehudijah" (Jewess) for one of Mered's wives, alongside an Egyptian princess, serves to emphasize the continuity of the distinct Israelite lineage. Her name affirms her belonging to the covenant people, ensuring the continuation of the "pure" line of Judah.
* **Divine Preservation of the Lineage:** The detailed genealogies in Chronicles serve to demonstrate God's faithfulness in preserving the tribal lines, especially that of Judah, from which the Davidic monarchy and ultimately the Messiah would emerge. Jehudijah's role as a mother of significant sons within this lineage underscores God's meticulous care for His covenant promises.
* **Distinction of Israel:** The name "Jewess" itself, when contrasted with a foreign spouse, subtly reinforces the theological principle of Israel's unique status as a chosen people, set apart by God from the nations. This distinction was vital for maintaining their unique religious and cultural identity in a polytheistic world.
### Summary
Yᵉhudîyâh (`{{H3057}}`) is a unique feminine Hebrew noun meaning "Jewess," directly derived from the masculine term for "Jew" (`{{H3064}}`). Its sole appearance in the biblical text is in [[1 Chronicles 4:18]], where "Jehudijah" is identified as a wife of Mered and a matriarch in the tribe of Judah, bearing sons who founded significant families. The explicit use of "Jewess" for her name, especially when contrasted with Mered's other wife, an Egyptian princess, highlights her essential identity as a member of the covenant community. Theologically, Jehudijah's inclusion in the genealogies underscores the divine emphasis on maintaining the distinct identity of the people of Israel, the continuity of the chosen lineage of Judah, and God's unwavering faithfulness in preserving the ancestral lines through which His redemptive plan for humanity would unfold.
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