Meaning & History
Ioudas is a Greek form of the Hebrew name Judah, used in the Greek New Testament. Interchangeable with Iouda in the Greek Old Testament, the latter reflects a more direct transliteration of the original Hebrew, while Ioudas aligns with the Koine Greek case endings of the New Testament period.
Etymology
The ultimate origin is the Hebrew name יְהוּדָה (Yehuḏa), derived from the root יָדָה (yadah) meaning "to praise" (related to the element yaḏa). In Genesis 29:35, Leah declares "This time I will praise the Lord" upon naming her son Judah, providing an etymological basis for the name.
Historical and Religious Context
Ioudas appears in the Greek New Testament as the name of several figures, most notably Judas Iscariot, the betrayer of Jesus. Because of this negative association, New Testament usage for Ioudas is less common for the apostle who wrote the Epistle of Jude, where the form Jude appears in English. The Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) uses both Ioudas and Iouda for Judah, the son of Jacob and ancestor of the tribe of Judah. The Kingdom of Judah, from David onward, and the Maccabean revolt led by Judah Maccabee further cemented the name's historical importance.
Related Forms
Across languages, the name appears in multiple variations: Iudas in Biblical Latin, Giuda in Biblical Italian, and Judas in English. In modern Hebrew, Yehuda is common, while the anglicized form Jude is also used in English-speaking cultures.
- Meaning: Praise
- Origin: Hebrew via Greek
- Type: First name (biblical)
- Usage: Greek Bible (New Testament)