Original Word: יְהוּדָאִי
Part of Speech: Proper Name
Transliteration: Yhuwda'iy
Pronunciation: yeh-hoo-dah'-yin
Phonetic Spelling: (yeh-hoo-daw-ee')
KJV: Jew
NASB: Jews, Judah
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) patrial from H306 (אַחלָמָה - amethyst)1]

1. a Jehudaite (or Judaite), i.e. Jew

Jew

(Aramaic) patrial from Yhuwd; a Jehudaite (or Judaite), i.e. Jew -- Jew.

see HEBREW Yhuwd

Word Origin
(Aramaic) from Yehud
Definition
an inhab. of Judah
NASB Translation
Jews (9), Judah (1).

[יְהוּדַי] name, of a people Jew (Biblical Hebrew יְהוּדִי); — plural absolute יְהוּדָאִין (K^{§ 61, 6})) Daniel 3:12; emphatic יְהוּדָיֵא (Ib.^ib.) Daniel 3:8; Ezra 4:12,23; Ezra 5:1,5; Ezra 6:7 (twice in verse); Ezra 6:8,14.

Meaning and Scope

יְהוּדָאִי (Yehudai) is the Aramaic adjective “Jewish, belonging to Judah.” It appears ten times, confined to the Aramaic sections of Ezra 4–6 and Daniel 3, and always designates the covenant people of God during the Babylonian-Persian era.

Occurrences

Ezra 4:12; Ezra 4:23; Ezra 5:1; Ezra 5:5; Ezra 6:7; Ezra 6:8; Ezra 6:14

Daniel 3:8; Daniel 3:12 (twice in Daniel 3:12)

Historical Setting

The word arises in two overlapping contexts:

1. Post-exilic Judah under Persian rule (Ezra).
2. Jewish exiles still resident in Babylon (Daniel).

Both settings highlight the survival and distinct identity of the people of God after the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C.

Usage in Ezra: Rebuilding and Opposition

• Political Reports: Adversaries warn Artaxerxes that “the Jews who came up to us … are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city” (Ezra 4:12).
• Forced Suspension: Persian officials “compelled them by force to stop” (Ezra 4:23), yet the term marks them out as a recognizable community even in adversity.
• Prophetic Encouragement: “Haggai and Zechariah … prophesied to the Jews” (Ezra 5:1), uniting prophetic ministry with Jewish identity.
• Divine Oversight: “The eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews” (Ezra 5:5), emphasizing covenant protection.
• Royal Support: Darius commands, “Leave the work … Let the governor and elders of the Jews rebuild” (Ezra 6:7) and orders imperial funding (Ezra 6:8).
• Completion: “The Jewish elders continued to build and prosper … They finished building” (Ezra 6:14).

Together these verses trace a progression from opposition through perseverance to completion, underscoring God’s sovereignty over pagan kings.

Usage in Daniel: Faithful Witness in Exile

• Accusation: “Some Chaldeans … maliciously accused the Jews” (Daniel 3:8), revealing ethnic hostility.
• Uncompromising Loyalty: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, labeled “Jews” (Daniel 3:12), refuse idolatry, declaring, “We do not serve your gods” (Daniel 3:18). Their deliverance from the furnace manifests divine vindication of His people before the nations.

Theological Themes

Covenant Identity: The term anchors the community in Judah’s covenant heritage even while scattered.

Remnant Preservation: Whether in Jerusalem or Babylon, God preserves a people for His name (Ezra 5:5; Daniel 3:25).

Sovereign Kingship of God: Pagan decrees (Ezra 6:7-8) ultimately execute divine purpose; imperial power bows to God’s will.

Prophetic Word and Community Renewal: Prophets address the Jews directly (Ezra 5:1), linking identity with obedience to revelation.

Ministry Implications

1. Perseverance in Calling: Like the “elders of the Jews,” spiritual leaders today must persevere despite external pressure, trusting God’s providence.
2. Public Testimony: The fiery-furnace narrative shows how a clearly defined identity equips believers for courageous witness.
3. Corporate Faith: The repeated phrase “elders of the Jews” encourages collective responsibility, not isolated spirituality.
4. Reliance on Divine Favor: Success in rebuilding came because “the eye of their God was upon” them (Ezra 5:5); ministry likewise advances under divine oversight rather than mere human resource.

Continuity Toward the New Covenant

The steadfastness of the Yehudai anticipates New Testament affirmations: “Salvation is from the Jews” (John 4:22) and the gospel is “first to the Jew” (Romans 1:16). The same God who preserved Judah’s remnant brought forth the Messiah from that lineage, fulfilling covenant promises and extending salvation to the nations.

Summary

יְהוּדָאִי encapsulates the post-exilic community’s covenant identity, opposition, preservation, and mission. Whether rebuilding ruined walls or standing in a blazing furnace, the Jews of Ezra and Daniel display the enduring faithfulness of God to His people and call every generation to the same steadfast trust.

יְה֣וּדָיֵ֔א יְהוּדָאיִ֗ן יְהוּדָיֵ֔א יְהוּדָיֵ֗א יְהוּדָיֵֽא׃ יְהוּדָיֵא֙ יהודאין יהודיא יהודיא׃ yə·hū·ḏā·yê yə·hū·ḏā·yin yehudaYe yəhūḏāyê yehudaYin yəhūḏāyinInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts