Judah

Also known as: Jehudah · Family: Hebrews · Role: son of Jacob and Leah · First appears: The Birth Of Jacob's Children

Leah bore Judah, her fourth son, with Jacob; she called him Jehudah in thanks to God. During the war with the Ninevites, Judah fought alongside Levi and Jacob, and later fought beside Zebulon, striking down many warriors and helping put the army to flight. When the enemy separated Judah from his brothers, Jacob rushed to his aid; parched with thirst, Judah dug into the ground and water gushed out.

After seven years, in the war with the Amorites, Judah killed Jashub, king of Tappuah. At Hazor he was first to mount the walls, fighting alongside Naphtali as the sons of Jacob took the city; at Sartan he was first to scale the citadel wall. After the sons of Jacob made peace with the Amorites, Judah went to Arbel. Isaac later blessed Judah and one of his sons to rule over Jacob’s descendants. In the campaign against Jacob, Judah was among the sons who defeated Esau’s army and pursued the fugitives to Mount Seir, where Esau’s sons and the others submitted to peace and tribute.