20+ Differences between Israel and Judah (Explained)

Who does not know one of the famous developed countries, Israel? But what people do not know is its ancient history and its relationship with Judah. Most non-Jewish and non-christian people only know what Israel is today.

Israel and Judah were only one kingdom ages ago, but God made them into separate kingdoms for several reasons and actions. Israel is known to be the northern kingdom which is bigger than the southern kingdom, Judah. 

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Key Differences

Israel 

• What we know of Israel today is that it is a developed republic that is situated in the middle east. What we do not know about Israel is that it was once a single kingdom along with Judah. In the 10th century BCE, This single kingdom was divided into two parts, i.e., Israel and Judah.

• The kingdom of Israel was known to be the northern kingdom and had Samaria as its capital.

• The kingdom of Israel has also been depicted as the younger son depicted in the Parable of the prodigal son. He abandoned his father, befriended foreigners, and chose a different God.

• The kingdom of Israel is believed to be composed of ten different tribes, who were ten out of the twelve tribes of the combined nation of Israel and Judah.

• Since this kingdom had a total of ten tribes, and also demographically, this kingdom was more populous, prosperous, and bigger than the kingdom of Judah.

Judah

• Judah was one of the kingdoms that existed, with the kingdom of Israel as one single kingdom. Solomon’s death divided this single kingdom into two separate kingdoms, and one is known to be the kingdom of Judah.

• The kingdom of Judah was known to be the southern kingdom and had Jerusalem as its capital.

• The kingdom of Judah has also been portrayed as the older son depicted in the Parable of the prodigal son who stayed with his father and did not abandon him.

• The kingdom of Judah is estimated to constitute the left out of two out of the ten tribes that were part of the single kingdom. The left-out tribes were Judah and Benjamin.

• This kingdom was less populous, prosperous, and smaller than the kingdom of Israel.

Comparison Between Israel And Judah

Parameter	Israel	Judah
Etymology	The term Israel is believed to have originated from the Hebrew language, which means “let god prevail.”	The term Judah is believed to have originated from the Hebrew word “Yehuda,” which means “praise.”
Meaning	It can be best described as one of the kingdoms that once co-existed with the kingdom of Judah. This kingdom is now a republic and developed country in the Middle East and shares boundaries with Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and the Mediterranean Sea.	It can be best described as the other kingdom that once co-existed with the kingdom of Israel. The death of Solomon led to the division of the single kingdom into separate kingdoms, out of which is known as the kingdom of Judah.
Name behind	It is believed that it was a special name that was given to Jacob after he won a battle against an angel sent by God.	It was named after the fourth son of Jacob, i.e., Judah, who also gave rise to the Judah tribe of Israel.
History	After the death of Solomon, the division of the single kingdom gave rise to the kingdom of Israel. This kingdom is often compared with the prodigal son’s younger son of the Parable. Around 700s BC, this kingdom fell into captivity by Assyrians and could never fully attain freedom. Today, it is a republic and developed nation in the Middle East.	The death of Solomon gave rise to the kingdom of Judah. This kingdom is compared with the elder son of the prodigal son of the Parable. Just like Israel, this kingdom also became captivity in the 500s by the Babylonians. The captive role lasted 70 years and ended when the Persians conquered the Babylonians.
Parable of the prodigal son	This kingdom has also been compared to the prodigal son’s younger son of the Parable. The younger son is known to have abandoned his father and asked his father for his inheritance. Also, he is known to choose a different God and befriend foreigners.	This kingdom has also been compared to the elder son of the Parable of the prodigal son. The elder son is known to be hardworking and immensely wants his father’s love.
Kingdom and capital	This kingdom was located on the northern side of the single kingdom of Israel and Judah. And hence, it is also known as simply the northern kingdom having Samaria as its capital.	This kingdom was located on the southern side of the single kingdom of Israel and Judah. And hence, it is also known as simply the southern kingdom having Jerusalem as its capital.
Comprised of	A total of 12 tribes made up part of the single kingdom of Israel and Judah. After the division, ten tribes came to settle in Israel. These tribes were Zebulun, Simeon, Reuben, Naphtali, Manasseh, Issachar, Gad, Ephraim, Dan, and Asher.	After ten tribes settled in the kingdom of Israel, the kingdom of Judah was left with the remaining two tribes: Judah and Benjamin.
Area and population	This kingdom was always bigger in area than the kingdom of Judah. Since it had ten tribes, this kingdom was also more populous and prosperous than the kingdom of Judah.	In comparison with Israel, this kingdom had a smaller area. Furthermore, since it had only two tribes, this kingdom was also less populous and prosperous than the kingdom of Israel.
Captivity	The captivity of this kingdom is considered to be more unfortunate than the captivity of Judah because it is believed that this kingdom was never able to attain full freedom. Around 721 BC, this kingdom was conquered, and the Assyrians held its people captive.	This kingdom’s captivity is considered less unfortunate than the captivity of Israel because the captivity period of this kingdom only lasted for 70 years. In around 586 BC, this kingdom was conquered, and the Babylonians held its people captive. Later on, the Babylonians were conquered by the Persians.
Economics	This kingdom was believed to have a monarchy form of government, and means of production were diversified.	This kingdom was believed to have a theocracy form of government and mostly relied on agricultural activities.

Major Differences Between Israel And Judah

What Exactly Is Israel?

Presently, Israel is a developed republic nation that is located in the Middle East. It is considered to be one of the most advanced and fast-developing countries, but most people have no idea about its ancient history.

Israel was one single kingdom that existed along with Judah. The death of Solomon led to the unfortunate divide that divided one kingdom into two separate kingdoms known as Israel and Judah. This kingdom of Israel constituted ten tribes and was bigger and more populous than Judah. However, in 722 BC, Assyrians conquered this kingdom.

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Key takeaways: Israel

•  It is a developed republic nation that is situated in the Middle East. Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and the Mediterranean Sea are this country’s neighbors. 

• The death of Solomon led to the birth of Israel as a single kingdom that was no longer a part of the kingdom of Judah.

• It is believed that it got its name after the patriarch Jacob had a fight with an angel and won against it.

• This kingdom has also been depicted as the younger brother in the Parable of the prodigal son.

•  This kingdom was situated on the northern side of the single kingdom of Israel and Judah, and to date, it is sometimes referred to as the northern kingdom.

• Samaria was known to be the capital of this northern kingdom.

• The single kingdom of Israel and Judah comprised a total of 12 tribes. However, dividing Israel and Judah into two separate kingdoms made ten tribes shift and live in the kingdom of Israel.

•  Naturally, this kingdom had more population and area and was more prosperous than the kingdom of Judah.

• Unfortunately, around 721 BC, Assyrians came to conquer this kingdom’s land and its people. And it is estimated that this kingdom could never come out of this captivity.

• Speaking of its economics, it was believed that this kingdom was a monarchy, and its economy was very diverse. Jews comprised most of the majority community, while Arabs made up most of the minority community of this kingdom.

What exactly is Judah?

Judah can be best described as one of the other separate kingdoms, which was once a part of the single kingdom made by Israel and Judah. Its ancient history has been almost the same as the history of Israel. Upon the death of Solomon, a kingdom other than Israel was known as the kingdom of Judah.

This kingdom was known to be the southern kingdom and had the remaining two tribes out of the 12 tribes: Benjamin and Judah. This kingdom was estimated to be less populous, prosperous, and smaller. In around 586 BC, Babylonians conquered this kingdom.

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Key Takeaways: Judah

• The death of Solomon gave rise to the formation of this separate kingdom that once existed as a single kingdom with Israel.

• It mainly constituted Judah as its tribe, and it is estimated that it got its name from the same.

• This kingdom has been portrayed as the older son depicted in the Parable of the prodigal son.

• This kingdom was located on the southern side of the single kingdom and is still known as the southern kingdom.

•  Jerusalem was believed to be the capital of this kingdom.

• Since a total of ten tribes went to the kingdom of Israel, this kingdom was left with the remaining two tribes: Benjamin and Judah.

• This kingdom had less population, area, and prosperity than the kingdom of Israel.

• It was conquered way before the kingdom of Israel was conquered. In around 586 BC, Babylonians conquered this kingdom and held it captive.

• Unlike Israel, this kingdom came out of captivity after 70 years. It is believed that the Persians conquered the Babylonians and gave freedom to Judah and its people.

• Speaking of its economics, this kingdom was believed to be a theocracy, and the population and the kingdom relied more on agricultural services.

Contrast Between Israel And Judah

Etymology

• Israel – The word Israel is the Hebrew word that means “let God prevail.” In the Bible, this name was given to Jacob by God for being faithful toward him. Jacob was believed to be a prophet who had been here before the birth of Jesus Christ.

• Judah – The word Judah is estimated to have originated from the Hebrew word “Yehuda,” which means “praise.” Judah is believed to be Jacob’s fourth son, who was later known to be the founder of the Judah tribe.

Meaning

• Israel – It is a republic country that is situated in the Middle East. Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and the Mediterranean Sea surround it. In this context, Israel refers to a single kingdom that once co-existed with the kingdom of Judah.

• Judah – refers to one of the kingdoms that were once a part of the single kingdom of Israel and Judah. The death of Solomon led to the great division of a single kingdom, out of which one part is known to be the kingdom of Judah.

Named behind

• Israel – Israel was a special name given to Jacob after he fought with an angel of God.

• Judah – Judah was considered the fourth son of Jacob, who gave rise to the Judah tribe. Thus, this kingdom gets its name from there only.

History

• Israel – The death of Solomon led to the division of two parts of a single kingdom, which today are known as the Kingdom of Israel and Judah. This kingdom has also been compared with the prodigal son’s younger son of the Parable. A total of ten tribes settled in this kingdom. Around the 700s BC, this kingdom fell into captivity and could never fully attain freedom. Most of the people that make up the population of this kingdom are Jews, along with a minority community of Arabs.

• Judah – Solomon’s death also led to this kingdom’s formation. This kingdom has also been compared to the older son of the Parable of the prodigal son. A total of 12 tribes were a part of the combined single kingdom of Israel and Judah. Since ten tribes went to Israel, this kingdom had two remaining tribes: Benjamin and Judah. Around the 500s BC, this kingdom also fell into captivity, but unlike Israel, they could come out of captivity after 70 years.

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In case you are wondering who Solomon is and his connection with Israel and Judah. He is the son of David, the former and first-ever king of the single kingdom of Judah and Israel. After his father’s death, he ultimately becomes the second and last king of the single kingdom of Israel and Judah. He has been discussed many times in the Bible and is estimated to have built the first temple in Jerusalem. 

Parable of the prodigal son

• Israel – This kingdom has also been portrayed or compared with the younger son of the Parable of the prodigal son. The younger son is concerned with the inheritance of his father’s wealth and is someone who chooses another God and befriends foreigners. Not only limited to this, but he also abandoned his father.

• Judah – This kingdom has also been depicted or compared with the older son of the Parable of the prodigal son. The older son is someone who never abandoned his father and worked tirelessly to earn his father’s love.

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What Is the Parable of The Prodigal Son? 

It is best described as a story that portrays God’s love towards humans as his children. It is believed to be one of Jesus’ stories in the Bible. “Parable” in the Parable of the Prodigal son means nothing but a story that ends with religious or spiritual learning. This Parable is known as the story of a father and his two sons. 

Kingdom and capital

• Israel – This kingdom was situated on the northern side of the single kingdom of Israel and Judah. Hence it is also known as the northern kingdom. This kingdom had its capital situated in Samaria.

• Judah – This kingdom was situated on the southern side of the single kingdom of Israel and Judah. Hence it is also known as the southern kingdom. This kingdom had its capital situated at Jerusalem.

Comprised of

• Israel – There were a total of twelve tribes that were a part of the single kingdom of Israel and Judah. After their division, ten tribes became a part of the kingdom of Israel. These tribes were as follows: Zebulun, Simeon, Reuben, Naphtali, Manasseh, Issachar, Gad, Ephraim, Dan, and Asher.

• Judah – Since ten tribes went to be a part of the kingdom of Israel, the kingdom of Judah was left with the remaining two tribes: Benjamin and Judah.

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Tribes of Israel And Judah

Judah

Benjamin

Zebulun

Simeon

Reuben

Naphtali

Manasseh

Issachar

Gad

Ephraim

Dan

Asher

Area And Population

• Israel – This kingdom always had a bigger area than the kingdom of Judah. Also, since this kingdom comprised ten tribes, this kingdom was more populous and prosperous than the kingdom of Judah.

• Judah – This kingdom had a smaller area than the kingdom of Israel. Along with that, it was also less populous and prosperous than the kingdom of Israel since it had only two tribes.

Captivity

• Israel – Unfortunately, in 721 BC, this kingdom fell into captivity. Assyrians came over and conquered this kingdom’s land and its people. The captivity of this kingdom was more unfortunate than the captivity of the kingdom of Judah because it is believed that this kingdom was never able to be out of this captivity.

• Judah – Just like the kingdom of Israel, this kingdom also fell into captivity way before the kingdom of Israel did. It is believed that during 589 BC, Babylonians conquered this kingdom and held its people captive. But this period of captivity lasted 70 years, and thus the captivity of this kingdom is considered less unfortunate than the captivity of the kingdom of Israel. This kingdom came out of captivity when the Persians conquered the Babylonians.

Economics

• Israel – This kingdom was believed to be a monarchy and relied on diverse production methods. In this form of government, a single person is considered the head of the state until he is alive, and then typically, the power is passed onto their heirs.

• Judah – This kingdom was believed to be a theocracy and mainly relied on agricultural methods. In a theocracy form of government, a priest heads the state and rules the concerned people in the name of God.

CONCLUSION

People often get confused between the history of Israel and Judah. Due to many similarities, both kingdoms are often confused with one another. The major difference between Israel and Judah is that the former is a northern kingdom that the Assyrians conquered. At the same time, the latter is a southern kingdom that the Babylonians conquered.

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