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Juda

Locations
Modern Location Juttah (modern Khirbet el-Qom)
Coordinates 31.6833, 34.9333

Geographical Setting

Juda is a textual variant in the Gospel of Luke, primarily identified with the town of Juttah in the hill country of Ephraim, though occasionally conflated with the personal name Judas in genealogical lists.

What is the meaning of Juda in the Bible?

Juda is a textual variant found in the Gospel of Luke, appearing in Luke 1:39 as an alternative reading for Juttah, a town in the hill country of Ephraim, and in Luke 3:26 and 3:30 where it likely serves as a scribal error or variant for the name Judas within the genealogy of Jesus.

SIGNIFICANCE

Recognizing Juda as a variant for Juttah clarifies the geographical setting of Mary's visit to Elizabeth, while identifying it as a variant for Judas in the genealogy assists in accurately tracing the ancestral lines presented in the text.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Geopolitical & Terrain Context: Juda (located near modern Juttah (modern Khirbet el-Qom)) held strategic importance. Understanding its position and trade routes explains why key biblical events unfolded here.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
  • Why did the biblical author mention Juda in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Juda clarify?
Scripture Passages Mentioned: Luke 1:39Luke 3:26

Source Attribution

Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.

How to Cite This Entry

"Juda." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/juda/
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