The Strange Story Behind the Name Judah: Praise or Betrayal?
- yolanditacolononli
- Mar 28
- 5 min read
“…She named him Judah, for she said, “Now I will praise the Lord!”…” (Genesis 29:35, NLT)
“Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord! Praise the Lord!”
(Psalm 150:6, NLT)
Ever read something in Scripture that makes you stop and say, “Wait... that’s odd”? That was me recently with the name Judah. The more I sat with it, the more layers I started to notice.
We all know Judah from the Old Testament—Jacob’s son, the one who sold his brother Joseph out of jealousy. Not a great look. But later, he grows. He offers himself in place of Benjamin. That’s a powerful redemption story. And then there’s the tribe of Judah, which produced King David, King Solomon and eventually the Messiah, Jesus.
Judah became a name tied to honor, royalty, and promise.
And it literally means “praise.”
But here’s the twist:
The very man who betrayed Jesus—Judas Iscariot—was named after him. Same name. Same root. In Hebrew, Judas = Judah.
And that’s not all—Jesus also had a brother named Judah (known as Jude), and another disciple named Judas (not Iscariot). That name was everywhere.
Why? Because Judah symbolized hope, heritage, and belonging. It was the kind of name you gave a child to pass on something honorable. And yet, the name that meant “praise” became associated with the darkest betrayal in history. That hits different.
There’s deep irony in that.
Judas Iscariot had the right name. The right background. The right access. He saw the miracles. Walked beside Jesus. Carried the money bag.
But something in his heart stayed disconnected. He betrayed the Son of God—with a kiss—an act that should’ve meant love.
And that reminds me:
Just because something looks right on the outside doesn’t mean it’s aligned on the inside.
Then there’s Jesus’ brother Jude.
He didn’t believe in Jesus at first (John 7:5). But later, he called himself “a servant of Jesus Christ.” Another Judah—another story.
A chance at redemption.
It’s wild how Scripture doesn’t shy away from the tension in this name:
A Judah who betrayed—and repented.
A Judah who betrayed—and perished.
A Judah who doubted—and later preached truth with boldness.
Same name. Different hearts. Different outcomes.
There’s something sobering and strangely beautiful about that.
The name Judah still means praise. But the way we live out that praise—that’s what shapes our legacy.
Lately I’ve been asking myself:
Am I just wearing the name of praise… or is praise truly alive in me?
What about you? Is there a part of your story that God’s been nudging to redeem—something that looked like failure, but could still turn into something beautiful?
What Does Praise Really Mean?
Since we’re talking about a name that literally means “praise,” it makes sense to pause and ask:
What is praise, really?
In the Old Testament:
Praise wasn’t just about music. It was about declaring who God is, even in the middle of pain or battle.
People praised with shouts, dancing, lifted hands, instruments, and bold expressions of joy.
Hebrew words like “Yadah” (to extend hands in worship) and “Tehillah” (a song of praise) show that praise was intentional—a decision to lift God high no matter what.
In the New Testament:
Praise became centered on Jesus. The early church praised even while being persecuted, in prison, and during gatherings in homes.
It wasn’t just a reaction to good things. It was a response to grace.
Hebrews 13:15 says, “Let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess His name.”
And for us today?
Praise can look like a lot of things—and it doesn’t have to be perfect.
It might be the mom at the kitchen sink, whispering through tears:
“I don’t understand this, but I still trust You.”
Or the guy driving to work saying:
“Thank You for carrying me through that season, Lord.”
When Praise Became My Weapon
“Praise his name with dancing, accompanied by tambourine and harp. For the Lord delights in his people;
he crowns the humble with victory.” (Psalm 149:3–4, NLT)
I remember a time when I got some really bad news. I was devastated. Negative thoughts started creeping in, and I could feel my peace slipping away. It felt like I was about to spiral. But right in the middle of that moment, I heard the Holy Spirit whisper:
“Are you going to let this steal your praise? Or are you going to increase your praise and shut down the darts of the enemy?”
That question hit me hard.
So, I made a bold move—I turned on some fast praise music, picked up a dancing flag, and began to worship with a joyful dance before the Lord—even though at first, it felt awkward and forced, because I was pushing past my own human emotions and everything I was feeling in that moment.
But as I kept going, something shifted.
Something from above came over me.
The power of God filled the room.
That spirit of despair and all those negative thoughts had no choice but to surrender to God, as my emotions came back into alignment in His presence.
Praise began flowing freely from my lips—not out of performance, but from a place of breakthrough. It felt as though I wasn't dancing alone; angels were joyfully dancing and praising alongside me. And then came the peace. The joy. Not natural, not logical—supernatural.
And wouldn’t you know it? Not long after, that “bad news” situation was divinely turned around. What looked like defeat ended in victory. Hallelujah!
When You're Faced with Trouble—Praise Is Still the Key
When you're going through a tough situation—or even just turning on the news—and despair and hopelessness try to hit your heart, stealing your peace and shaking your trust in God... what should you do?
Do the opposite.
Find the opposite of what you're feeling in Scripture and declare it with boldness. Then celebrate it before God's Presence.
Feeling sad? Turn up the volume on some loud, upbeat, anointed praise music. Dance before the Lord, and start celebrating with a big smile:
“This is the day the Lord has made—I will rejoice and be glad in it!”
Facing financial lack? Declare God’s promises out loud with boldness:
“My God will supply all my needs according to His riches in glory.”“My Father knows what I need—and He cares for me.”“I am blessed and rich in Christ and through Christ.”
And if you want to go even bolder—provoke the miraculous.
Find good soil—whether it’s a ministry, a mission, or someone faithfully doing God’s work—and sow from the little you have.
You might not see the breakthrough immediately, but when the accumulation reaches God’s appointed measure, it will pour out—
Not one minute early.
Not one minute late.
But right on time, according to His perfect timing.
So, what do you do in the meantime?
You praise His Name. You dance before Him.
You celebrate His faithful promises.
And, you wait as you continue to praise.
Because in due time, everything He said will come to fruition.
But hear me on this: praising God is key.
Embracing a Deeper Journey … with the Almighty I AM
Yolandita Colón