the same as יְהוּדִי; Jehudi, an Israelite; Jehudi.
Transliteration:Yᵉhûwdîy
Pronunciation:yeh-hoo-dee'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term יְהוּדִי (Yᵉhûwdîy, `{{H3065}}`) is closely related to and, as the Strong's definition notes, essentially "the same as" `{{H3064}}` (Yᵉhûwday). Its root is יְהוּדָה (Yehudah, `{{H3063}}`), the name of Jacob's fourth son, the tribe descending from him, and later the southern kingdom. Primarily, יְהוּדִי signifies "Judean" or "Jew," referring to an inhabitant of the territory of Judah, or a descendant of the tribe of Judah. Over time, especially following the division of the kingdom and the Babylonian exile, the term "Jew" evolved to describe the broader community of Israelites who maintained their identity and returned from captivity, primarily those from the former kingdom of Judah. It can also function as a proper noun, as seen in the biblical figure named Jehudi.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of יְהוּדִי (Yᵉhûwdîy, `{{H3065}}`) in the Hebrew Bible are limited but significant, illustrating both its use as a personal name and its broader ethno-religious application:
* **As a Proper Name:** In the book of Jeremiah, יְהוּדִי refers to a specific individual:
* [[Jeremiah 36:14]]: "Then all the officials sent Jehudi the son of Nethaniah, son of Shelemiah, son of Cushi, to Baruch, saying, 'Take in your hand the scroll that you read in the hearing of the people and come.'" Here, Jehudi is a royal official in the court of King Jehoiakim, tasked with retrieving Baruch's scroll.
* [[Jeremiah 36:21]]: "So the king sent Jehudi to get the scroll, and he took it from the chamber of Elishama the scribe. And Jehudi read it in the hearing of the king and in the hearing of all the officials who stood beside the king." Jehudi's role is to read the scroll before the king, highlighting his position and function within the royal administration.
* [[Jeremiah 36:23]]: "As Jehudi read three or four columns, the king would cut them off with a scribe's knife and throw them into the fire in the brazier, until the entire scroll was consumed in the fire that was in the brazier." This verse further details Jehudi's role in the dramatic scene where King Jehoiakim defiantly burns Jeremiah's prophetic scroll.
* **As an Ethno-Religious Identifier:** In Zechariah, the term takes on a more collective and representative meaning:
* [[Zechariah 8:23]]: "Thus says the Lord of hosts: In those days ten men from the nations of every tongue shall take hold of the skirt of a Jew, saying, 'Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.'" Here, "a Jew" (יְהוּדִי) represents the people of God, the bearer of divine revelation, and the conduit of divine blessing to the nations. This usage points to the post-exilic understanding of "Jew" as the primary identifier for the remnant of Israel, through whom God's redemptive purposes would unfold, drawing Gentiles to Himself.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of יְהוּדִי (Yᵉhûwdîy, `{{H3065}}`) is rich and interconnected with several key biblical terms:
* **`{{H3063}}` יְהוּדָה (Yehudah):** This is the foundational term, referring to the patriarch Judah, his tribe, the territory of Judah, and the southern kingdom. The word "Jew" directly derives from this name, indicating a deep historical and genealogical connection.
* **`{{H3064}}` יְהוּדִי (Yᵉhûwday):** As noted, `{{H3065}}` is effectively synonymous with `{{H3064}}`, which is the more commonly occurring term for "Jew" or "Jewish" throughout the later books of the Old Testament (e.g., Esther, Ezra, Nehemiah, Daniel). Both terms underscore the identity of the post-exilic community.
* **`{{H3478}}` יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisra'el):** "Israel" is the broader, foundational covenant name for God's people. While "Jew" initially designated those from the kingdom of Judah, it increasingly became a metonym for the entire covenant people, especially after the Assyrian and Babylonian exiles, as the remnant primarily consisted of those descended from Judah and Benjamin.
* **Covenant, Remnant, Chosen People:** The concept of יְהוּדִי is inextricably linked to God's covenant with Abraham and Israel, the idea of a faithful remnant preserved through judgment, and their status as God's chosen people.
### Theological Significance
The term יְהוּדִי (Yᵉhûwdîy, `{{H3065}}`) carries profound theological weight, especially in its collective sense:
* **Identity and Continuity of God's People:** The term signifies the enduring identity of God's covenant people, particularly after the trauma of exile. It emphasizes their connection to Judah, the royal tribe, and the lineage through which the Messiah was prophesied to come ([[Genesis 49:10]]). The survival of the "Jew" (יְהוּדִי) from exile is a testament to God's faithfulness to His promises, ensuring the continuation of His redemptive plan.
* **Preservation of the Remnant:** The existence of the יְהוּדִים (Jews/Judeans) as a distinct people group, even amidst foreign rule and dispersion, highlights the doctrine of the remnant. They are the preserved core through whom God's purposes for humanity would be realized, demonstrating divine sovereignty and covenant fidelity.
* **A Light to the Nations:** The prophecy in [[Zechariah 8:23]] is exceptionally significant. It portrays the "Jew" as a focal point for gentile nations seeking God. This vision anticipates the universal scope of God's salvation, where the people of Israel, represented by the "Jew," serve as the conduit for divine truth and the means by which Gentiles are drawn to the living God. It foreshadows the expansion of God's kingdom beyond ethnic Israel.
* **Messianic Expectation:** By its very derivation from Judah, the term implicitly carries the weight of messianic expectation. The promise of a king from Judah, and ultimately the Messiah, is central to Israel's hope, and the continued existence of the "Jew" underlines the faithfulness of God to bring forth His Anointed One from this lineage.
### Summary
The term יְהוּדִי (Yᵉhûwdîy, `{{H3065}}`) is a rich Hebrew word deriving from יְהוּדָה (Yehudah, `{{H3063}}`). While it functions as a proper name (Jehudi) in the book of Jeremiah, its more significant usage, particularly in Zechariah, is as an ethno-religious identifier for "a Jew" or "Judean." This term became the primary designation for the post-exilic community of Israel, signifying their enduring identity as God's covenant people. Theologically, יְהוּדִי underscores God's faithfulness in preserving a remnant, their role as a beacon of divine truth, and their ultimate purpose in drawing the nations to God, all within the framework of messianic hope centered on the lineage of Judah.
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