יְהוּדִית
Yehudit / Judith
“Woman of Judah”
Judith (יְהוּדִית, Yehudit) is a Hebrew girl's name meaning “woman of judah,” pronounced “ye-hu-DIT.” The feminine form of Yehudah (Judah), meaning 'woman of Judah' or 'Jewess.' The root is י-ד-ה (yadah, 'to praise/thank'). Yehudit literally means 'Jewish woman' — the word 'Jew' itself derives from Yehudah/Judah.
| Hebrew | יְהוּדִית |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Yehudit |
| English Name | Judith |
| Meaning | Woman of Judah |
| Pronunciation | ye-hu-DIT |
| Gender | Girl |
| Category | Female Biblical Names |
| Variants | Yehudit, Judit, Giuditta, Judita, Judy, Jody |
| Key Scripture | Judith 13:6-8 (Deuterocanon) |
Judith's name connects her to the tribe of Judah — the royal, lion-hearted tribe — and her actions lived up to that fierce heritage. In the deuterocanonical Book of Judith, this beautiful widow single-handedly saved her besieged city by entering the enemy camp of the Assyrian general Holofernes, winning his trust, and then beheading him with his own sword. The story became one of the most depicted scenes in Western art, painted by Caravaggio, Klimt, Artemisia Gentileschi, and countless others. Whether read as history or heroic literature, Judith's story made her name synonymous with female courage and the triumph of faith over overwhelming force.
Key Scripture: Judith 13:6-8 (Deuterocanon)
“She went to the bedpost near Holofernes' head, and took down his sword. She struck his neck twice with all her might, and cut off his head.”
What Does Judith Mean in Hebrew?
יְהוּדִית (Yehudit) is the feminine form of יְהוּדָה (Yehudah, 'Judah'). The root י-ד-ה (yod-dalet-heh) means 'to praise, to give thanks' — Leah named Judah saying 'This time I will praise the LORD' (Genesis 29:35). The suffix -it creates the feminine: 'woman of Judah' or 'praising woman.' The English word 'Jew' derives from this same name.
Judith in the Bible
The name appears in Genesis 26:34 as a Hittite wife of Esau. The famous heroine Judith appears in the deuterocanonical/apocryphal Book of Judith, where she saves the Israelite city of Bethulia from Assyrian siege through her beauty, wit, and lethal courage. Though not in the Protestant canon, the book was influential in Catholic and Orthodox traditions and in Western art.
Cultural Context & Modern Usage
The Book of Judith is celebrated during Hanukkah in some Jewish traditions, connecting female heroism to the theme of miraculous deliverance. In Western art, 'Judith and Holofernes' is one of the most frequently painted biblical scenes, used by artists from the Renaissance to the present as a vehicle for exploring female power, violence, and liberation.
Judith was a top-5 girls' name in the US during the 1940s. While less common now, the nickname Judy remains familiar. In Israel, Yehudit is a traditional name with deep national significance. The name carries connotations of courage and national pride.
Frequently Asked Questions About Judith
What does Judith mean in Hebrew?
Judith (יְהוּדִית, Yehudit) means “Woman of Judah” in Hebrew. The feminine form of Yehudah (Judah), meaning 'woman of Judah' or 'Jewess.' The root is י-ד-ה (yadah, 'to praise/thank'). Yehudit literally means 'Jewish woman' — the word 'Jew' itself derives from Yehudah/Judah.
How do you pronounce Judith in Hebrew?
The Hebrew pronunciation of Judith is “ye-hu-DIT.” The name is written יְהוּדִית in Hebrew script.
What does Judith mean in Hebrew?
Judith (יְהוּדִית, Yehudit) means 'woman of Judah' or 'praising woman' in Hebrew. It is the feminine form of Yehudah (Judah), which comes from the root yadah meaning 'to praise.' The name literally means 'Jewish woman' — the English word 'Jew' itself derives from Yehudah/Judah. It connects the bearer to the royal, praise-filled tribe of David.
What did Judith do in the Bible?
In the deuterocanonical Book of Judith, the beautiful widow Judith saved her besieged city of Bethulia by entering the Assyrian camp, charming the general Holofernes, and beheading him in his tent. She brought his head back to the city, causing the Assyrian army to flee in terror. Her story celebrates faith, courage, and the power of the underestimated.
Is the Book of Judith in the Bible?
The Book of Judith is included in the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox canons of Scripture but is not part of the Protestant or Jewish biblical canons. It is classified as deuterocanonical by Catholics and apocryphal by Protestants. Despite its contested canonical status, the story has been enormously influential in Western art, literature, and theology.
Sources & Further Study
Related Hebrew Words
More Female Biblical Names
Explore other names in the Female Biblical Names collection
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