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Q&A

Was Jesus Truly of the Tribe of Judah?

Tom Nash

Question:

How is Jesus tribal affiliation with Judah even though you cannot be adopted into a tribe?

Answer:

Even though Joseph is Jesus’ foster father, his marriage to Mary illustrates that Jesus is of the tribe of Judah according to his paternal line, and thus indeed a member of the tribe of Judah, as St. Matthew makes clear in recounting Jesus’ paternal genealogy (Matt. 1:1-6; 16-18).

Jesus is also a member of the tribe of Judah according to his maternal bloodline (Luke 3:31-34). So there is no dispute of Jesus’ heritage as member of the tribe of Judah.

In addition, regarding adoption into a tribe, we also see how God grafted non-Gentiles into God’s people, e.g., Rahab who was formerly a harlot (Matt. 1:5).

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