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Bible Dictionaries
Judea
Fausset's Bible Dictionary
or First so-called as a "province" of Persia (Daniel 5:13; Ezra 5:8; Nehemiah 11:3; Esther 8:9). On the return from Babylon the Jews, besides Judah, included large portions of Benjamin, Levi, Ephraim, and Manasseh (Ezra 1:5; Ezra 10:5-9; Nehemiah 11:4-36; 1 Chronicles 9:3; "Israel," Ezra 2:70; Ezra 2:59; Ezra 3:1; Ezra 10:5; Nehemiah 7:73), and many whose pedigree could not be found. The number twelve was retained in the sin offerings, as though all the tribes were represented (Ezra 6:17; Ezra 8:35). The amalgamation began when Jeroboam's idolatry drove the godly of northern Israel to Judah, again it took place under Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 30-33). Anna was of Asher (Luke 2:36); Paul of Benjamin (Romans 11:1); Barnabas of Levi (Acts 4:36). The "twelve tribes" appear Acts 26:7; James 1:1.
Judea is strictly the region W. of Jordan, S. of Samaria (though "beyond Jordan" is vaguely included in it Mark 10:1, and Galilee Luke 23:5). The village Anuath marked its northern boundary (Josephus, B. J., iii. 3, section 5), Jardan its southern boundary: comprising the territory of Judah, Dan, Simeon, and Benjamin, 100 miles long, 60 broad. Upon the deposition of the ethnarch Archelaus, A.D. 6, Judaea was ruled by a procurator subject to the governor of Syria; he resided at Caesarea on the coast. Judea was little frequented by our Lord, except Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Bethany (compare John 7:1 for the reason in part). Jeremiah's prophecy (Jeremiah 34:22) is fulfilled; "the cities of Judaea" are "a desolation without inhabitant," the vine-clad terraces and grainfields have only left their traces behind, ruins alone abound, and the scenery has but little beauty.
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Fausset, Andrew R. Entry for 'Judea'. Fausset's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/fbd/j/judea.html. 1949.
