Between the reigns of Solomon and David, Israel had a single kingdom. Solomon’s death led to the division of the country into two independent kingdoms. Judah, which consisted of Benjamin and Judah, was the name given to the southern region. Their capital was Jerusalem. Israel, or the northern part, consisted of the remaining ten tribes, and Samaria served as their capital.
Key Takeaways
- Israel and Judah were ancient kingdoms in the Levant region, with Israel in the north and Judah in the south.
- Israel had a larger territory and population compared to Judah.
- The Kingdom of Israel fell to the Assyrians in 722 BCE, while the Babylonians conquered the Kingdom of Judah in 586 BCE.
Israel vs Judah
Israel and Judah were two separate ancient kingdoms; Israel, also known as the Northern Kingdom, was larger but less stable, whereas Judah, the Southern Kingdom, was smaller but lasted longer.
Originally part of Palestine, Israel, at present, is a Middle Eastern republic. Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria, the south by the Gulf of Aqaba, and the southwest and west by Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea border the country’s northern and eastern parts. Formerly the capital of Judah, Jerusalem is now the capital of Israel.
One of Israel’s 12 tribes, Judah, descends from Judah, the fourth son, to Jacob’s first wife, Leah. In time, Judah became the most powerful and influential tribe in the region south of Jerusalem. Besides producing the great kings David and Solomon, the Messiah would come from among its members was also a prophecy. Originally the Kingdom had its capital as Jerusalem.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Israel | Judah |
|---|---|---|
| Capital | Earlier the whole kingdom shared the capital in Samaria. At present, Jerusalem is its capital. | Earlier the kingdom had its capital in Jerusalem. |
| Size | Much bigger area than Judah. | it was always smaller than Israel. |
| Prosperous | More prosperous. | Less prosperous. |
| Region | It was the northern region. | It was the southern region. |
| Consisting Tribes | Remaining ten tribes. | Judah and Benjamin. |
What is Israel?
Originally part of Palestine, Israel, at present, is a Middle Eastern republic. From the earliest days, Israel as a region was larger than Judah. It also had a larger economy than the southern part of Judah. Formerly the capital of Judah, Jerusalem is now the capital of Israel. Earlier, Israel was a single kingdom. However, the Israelite Kingdom was divided into Judah and Israel after Solomon’s death.
However, in 722 B.C., Assyrians conquered Israel, ceasing the Kingdom from existence. Moreover, the Babylonians captured Jerusalem in 586 B.C., taking its citizens captive. The Judahites were able to return to Judah after the Persians conquered Babylon. Since 1948, Israel has been home to the Jewish people.
Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria, the south by the Gulf of Aqaba, and the southwest and west by Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea border the country’s northern and eastern parts. Israel was primarily the name given to Jacob as per the Bible after he fought an angel of God. Today, Israel is a hot spot, with Arabs protesting its formation.
What is Judah?
One of Israel’s 12 tribes, Judah, descends from Judah, the fourth son, to Jacob’s first wife, Leah. In time, Judah became the most powerful and most influential tribe in the region south of Jerusalem. The Kingdom flourished in 587/586 BC until the Babylonians overran it, forcing many inhabitants into exile. Earlier, the Kingdom had its capital in Jerusalem.
After the Persians conquered Babylonia in 538 BC, Cyrus the Great allowed the Jews to return home. As soon as the Babylonians destroyed the Temple of Jerusalem, they set to work replacing it. From that time forward, the history of the Jews mainly relates to the tribe of Judah. It consisted of Judah and Benjamin tribes.
Besides producing the great kings David and Solomon, the Messiah would come from among its members was also a prophecy. Judah always had less prosperity and was a smaller region than Israel. As Canaanite translators, there is no difference between Jude, Judah, and Judas in the Greek New Testament. Generally, ‘Judah’ refers to a tribe, ‘Judas’ for Judas Iscariot, and ‘Jude’ for other individuals.
Main Differences Between Israel and Judah
- Earlier, the whole of Israel shared the capital of Samaria. However, at present, that has changed, and the present capital of the Kingdom is Jerusalem. On the other hand, formerly, the whole of Judah had its capital in Jerusalem.
- In terms of area, Israel was much more extensive. On the other hand, in terms of area, Judah was always smaller.
- In terms of economy, Israel was much more economical than Judah. On the other hand, in terms of economy, Judah was much less economical than Israel.
- The division of Israel made the northern region named Israel, while the southern part was called Judah.
- The Kingdom of Israel was formed of the ten remaining tribes. On the other hand, Judah included Benjamin and Judah, tribes.
Last Updated : 13 July, 2023
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