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Where does the word "Jew" come from?

by Rabbi Shlomo Chein




The term "Jew" (Heb. Yehudi) can be used differently in different contexts. In its narrowest interpretation it would mean someone from the tribe of Judah (Heb. Yehudah).1

In a broader sense it refers to anyone from the kingdom of Judah,2 which included within it people from the tribe of Benjamin, Levites and Priests as well. A biblical example of this is Moredechai who is called a Jew even though he was from the tribe of Benjamin.3

In an even broader sense, especially in contemporary times, the word Jew has come to mean anyone who is part of the "Children of Israel", also known as Israelites, descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, or "people of the book", as well as converts to Judaism.

This probably has to do with the fact that the northern kingdom of Israel with its Ten Tribes were exiled and lost. The remaining Israelites were all from the kingdom of Judah.

See also What is a Jew? and Who are the Jews?


  • 1. Judah is one of the twelve tribes/sons of Jacob.
  • 2. After the passing of King Solomon the Davidic dynasty only ruled over southern Israel, which became known as the Judean Kingdom. The northern part of Israel was known as the Israelite Kingdom, and included within it the other ten tribes.
  • 3. Scroll of Esther 2:5

