Original Word: Ἰούδας
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: Ioudas
Pronunciation: ee-oo'-das
Phonetic Spelling: (ee-oo-das')
KJV: Juda(-h, -s); Jude
NASB: Judas, Judah, Jude
Word Origin: [of Hebrew origin (H3063 (יְהוּדָה - Judah))]

1. Judas (i.e. Jehudah), the name of ten Israelites
2. also of the posterity of one of them and its region

Judas, Judah, Jude.

Of Hebrew origin (Yhuwdah); Judas (i.e. Jehudah), the name of ten Israelites; also of the posterity of one of them and its region -- Juda(-h, -s); Jude.

see HEBREW Yhuwdah

Word Origin
of Hebrew origin Yehudah
Definition
Judah, Judas, the name of several Isr., also one of the twelve tribes of Isr., also the Southern kingdom
NASB Translation
Judah (11), Judas (32), Jude (1).

STRONGS NT 2455: Ἰούδας

Ἰούδας, Ιουδα, dative Ιουδα, accusative, Ιουδαν (Buttmann, 20 (18)), ὁ (יְהוּדָה, from the Hoph. of יָדָה, praised, celebrated; see Genesis 29:35), Judah or Judas (see below);

1. the fourth son of the patriarch Jacob: Matthew 1:2; Luke 3:33; Revelation 5:5; Revelation 7:5; by metonymy, the tribe of Judah, the descendants of Judah: Hebrews 7:14; ὁ οἶκος Ιουδα, citizens of the kingdom of Judah, Hebrews 8:8.

2. Judah (or Judas) an unknown ancestor of Christ: Luke 3:26 R G L.

3. another of Christ's ancestors, equally unknown: Luke 3:30.

4. Judas surnamed the Galilaean, a man who at the time of the census under Quirinus (better Quirinius), excited a revolt in Galilee: Acts 5:37 (Josephus, Antiquities 18, 1, 1, where he is called ὁ Γαυλανιτης because he came from the city Gamala, near the Lake of Galilee in lower Gaulanitis; but he is called also ὁ Γαλιλαῖος by Josephus, Antiquities 18, 1, 6; 20, 5, 2; b. j. 2, 8, 1).

5. (Judas) a certain Jew of Damascus: Acts 9:11.

6. Judas surnamed Ἰσκαριώτης (which see), of Carioth (from the city of Kerioth, Joshua 15:25; Jeremiah 31:41 (); Amos 2:2; (but see BB. DD. under the word ); some manuscripts in John 6:71 (cf. Tdf.'s note at the passage cited); John 12:4, read ἀπό Καριωτου instead of Ἰσκαριώτης), the son of one Simon (who in John 6:71 L T Tr WH; T Tr WH, is himself surnamed Ἰσκαριώτης), one of the apostles of Jesus, who betrayed him: Matthew 10:4; Matthew 26:14, 25, 47; Matthew 27:3; Mark 3:19; Mark 14:10, 43; Luke 6:16; Luke 22:3, 47; John 6:71; John 12:4; John 13:2, 26, 29; John 18:2ff,; Acts 1:16, 25. Matthew (Matthew 27:5), Luke (Acts 1:18), and Papias (cf. Wendt in Meyer's Apostelgesch. 5te Aufl., p. 23 note) in a fragment quoted by Oecumenius on Acts 1:18 differ in the account of his death (see B. D. American edition under the word); on his avarice cf. John 12:6.

7. Judas, surnamed Barsabas (or Barsabbas, see the word), a prophet of the church at Jerusalem: Acts 15:22, 27, 32.

8. Judas, an apostle, John 14:22, who is called Ἰούδας Ἰακώβου in Luke 6:16; Acts 1:13 (see Ἰάκωβος, 4), and, as it should seem, was surnamed Lebbaeus or Thaddaeus (see Θαδδαῖος). According to the opinion of the church that he wrote the Epistle of Jude.

9. Judas, the brother of our Lord: Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3, and very probably Jude 1:1; see Ἰάκωβος, 3.

The Name and Its Old Testament Heritage

Ἰούδας (Ioudas) is the Greek rendering of the Hebrew Judah. In the Old Testament Judah was both a patriarch (Genesis 29:35) and the royal tribe that produced David and, ultimately, the Messiah. The New Testament continues this heritage, attaching the name to several men whose lives intersect the unfolding of redemptive history.

New Testament Figures Named Judas

1. Judas Iscariot – The Betrayer of the Lord

• Chosen among the Twelve (Matthew 10:4).
• Entrusted with the common purse yet identified by John as “a thief” (John 12:4–6).
• “Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve” (Luke 22:3).
• Betrayed Jesus with a kiss (Luke 22:47–48).
• Remorse led him to return the silver and hang himself; his death became a warning epitaph (Matthew 27:3–10; Acts 1:18–20).
• His vacancy in the apostolic band was filled by Matthias (Acts 1:24–26), confirming that the purposes of God cannot be thwarted by human treachery.

2. Judas (also called Thaddaeus or “Judas of James”) – An Apostle Who Asked the Right Question

• Listed among the Twelve (Luke 6:16; Acts 1:13).
• In the Upper Room he asked, “Lord, why are You going to reveal Yourself to us and not to the world?” (John 14:22). The answer highlighted the indwelling presence of Father and Son with obedient believers—a contrast to the apostasy of Judas Iscariot.

3. Judas, Brother of the Lord – Author of the Epistle of Jude

• Named with James, Joses, and Simon as Jesus’ brothers (Mark 6:3).
• Post-resurrection believer (Acts 1:14).
• Introduced himself as “Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James” (Jude 1:1).
• His letter exhorts the Church to “contend for the faith” (Jude 1:3) and warns against apostates whose character mirrors that of Cain, Balaam, and Korah—an implicit rebuke of betrayal like that of Judas Iscariot.

4. Judas Barsabbas – A Leading Prophet in the Jerusalem Church

• Chosen with Silas to carry the Jerusalem Council’s decision to Antioch (Acts 15:22, 27).
• “Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers” (Acts 15:32).
• His ministry exemplifies pastoral care and doctrinal clarity in a time of potential division.

5. Judas of Damascus – Host to the Newly-Converted Saul

• Saul awaited Ananias “at the house of Judas on Straight Street” (Acts 9:11). This Judas, otherwise unknown, provided hospitality that framed one of the most dramatic conversions in history.

6. Judas of Galilee – Revolutionary Leader Cited by Gamaliel

• Led a tax revolt “in the days of the census” (Acts 5:37).
• His failed uprising served as Gamaliel’s cautionary example that movements not of God come to nothing.

7. Genealogical Ancestors ‘Judas’

• Two forebears in Jesus’ lineage appear in Luke 3:30 and 3:33, while Judah the patriarch is listed in Matthew 1:2–3. Their inclusion ties the Messiah to covenant promises and underscores the continuity of God’s plan.

Theological Themes Associated with the Name

• Covenant Continuity and Fulfillment – From patriarch Judah to Jesus’ genealogy, the name signals God’s faithfulness to His promises.
• Contrast Between Faithfulness and Betrayal – The faithful service of Judas Thaddaeus, Jude, and Judas Barsabbas highlights the stark treachery of Judas Iscariot. Scripture juxtaposes these lives to teach vigilance and fidelity.
• Divine Sovereignty Over Human Choices – Judas Iscariot’s betrayal fulfilled prophecy (Psalm 41:9; Acts 1:16), demonstrating that even wicked acts cannot derail God’s salvation plan.
• Warning Against Apostasy – The fate of Judas Iscariot, echoed in Jude’s epistle, admonishes believers to persevere in truth and resist greed, hypocrisy, and unbelief.

Practical Lessons for the Church

1. Nearness to holy things does not guarantee a holy heart; discipleship must be accompanied by genuine faith.
2. Spiritual leadership (as seen in Judas Barsabbas and Jude) requires both doctrinal soundness and pastoral encouragement.
3. God uses ordinary believers—such as the homeowner in Damascus—to advance extraordinary purposes.
4. Historical examples of rebellion (Judas of Galilee) remind the Church to distinguish human zeal from divinely sanctioned mission.
5. The prophetic Scriptures are trustworthy; every word concerning the Messiah, including betrayal by a close companion, came to pass.

Summary

Strong’s Greek 2455, Ἰούδας, embraces a spectrum of personalities ranging from devoted servants of Christ to the infamous betrayer. Collectively they illuminate God’s unbroken covenant thread, His sovereign mastery over history, and His call for steadfast loyalty among His people.

Ιουδα Ἰούδα Ἰούδᾳ Ιουδαν Ἰούδαν ΙΟΥΔΑΣ Ἰούδας Iouda Ioúda Ioúdāi Ioudan Ioúdan IOUDAS IoúdasInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts