Meaning & History
Jehudijah is a feminine given name of Hebrew origin, meaning "Jewess." It appears in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) as a specific woman, one of the wives of Mered, a descendant of Judah mentioned in 1 Chronicles 4:18. The name is a feminine form of yehuḏi, meaning "Jew," which itself derives from the name Judah. Though rare, the name highlights the cultural identity of a Jewish woman in biblical narratives.
Biblical Context
Jehudijah is listed among the offspring of Caleb and is identified as the wife of Mered, a descendant of Judah. Her name appears only once, in a genealogy tracing the clans of Judah. The mentioning of her name both as an ancestor and a wife underscores the matrilineal recognition in certain genealogies, though her individual story remains unknown.
Etymology & Variants
The name is derived from the Hebrew root yehuḏi (יְהוּדִי), meaning "Jew." The feminine suffix -ah transforms it into a female version. Related names include Ioudith in Biblical Greek, Iudith in Biblical Latin, and the modern forms Yehudit in Hebrew and Judit in Swedish. The name also directly parallels the feminine forms of Judah in other languages.
Notable Bearers
Aside from the biblical figure, no notable historical bearers are recorded. The name is extremely rare and primarily known through its mention in genealogical texts. According to the Old Testament, the bearer was simply identified as the wife of Mered, and no legacy beyond this reference exists.
- Meaning: "Jewess"
- Origin: Hebrew
- Type: Given name
- Usage region: English Bible translations
- Related name: Judith