The Epistle of Jude as Judah

 The Epistle of Jude as Judah 

Interpreting the letter of Jude within its Jewish context—stripped of later Hellenistic influences and reframed through the lens of Jewish thought—unlocks a reading that is deeply rooted in the traditions of the Hebrew Bible and Second Temple Jewish literature. Rather than addressing abstract doctrinal controversies or moral failings in a Greco-Roman sense, Jude engages with covenantal themes familiar to his Jewish audience: rebellion within the community, the integrity of God’s people, and the consequences of rejecting divine authority. This approach invites us to hear Jude not as a theological outlier, but as a prophetic voice calling the renewed people of God to remain loyal to their covenantal identity in a time of eschatological transition.

1. Dehellenizing Jude

Jude is often read with Greek philosophical and mythological assumptions, but a Jewish reading focuses on its intertextuality with the Hebrew Bible and Jewish traditions:

"Kept for Jesus Christ" (Jude 1:1) – This can be understood in covenantal terms, where "keeping" recalls God's covenant faithfulness to Israel (cf. Deut 7:9).

"Common salvation" (Jude 1:3) – Rather than a universalized Greek salvation concept, this aligns with Jewish covenant membership, where salvation is framed within Israel’s restoration.

"Contend for the faith once delivered" – This faith is the covenantal faith of Israel, delivered through Moses and the prophets, not a Greek abstract belief system.

"Ungodly people who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality" (Jude 1:4) – In a Jewish context, this echoes Israel’s history of covenant-breaking, such as in Hosea's critique of Israel as an unfaithful spouse.

2. Fallen Angels as Korah’s Rebellion (Numbers 16)

Jude 6 refers to angels who “did not stay within their position of authority.” Traditional Christian readings connect this with Genesis 6 (the Watchers). However, a Jewish reading aligns this with Numbers 16 and Korah's rebellion. Korah and his followers rejected their appointed role. They "did not stay within their position" as Levites but sought the priesthood.

The punishment for Korah's rebellion was being cast into Sheol alive (Num 16:33), which parallels Jude’s description of the fallen ones being "kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness."

This reading frames the passage as a critique of those who reject God's appointed leadership—first in Moses and Aaron, then in the Messiah and his covenant community.

3. The Body of Moses as the Old Covenant Body of Believers

Jude 9 refers to Michael disputing with the devil over the “body of Moses.” If we take a Jewish corporate reading, rather than an individual, this can symbolize:

The old covenant community of Israel – "The body of Moses" would then refer to the people under the Mosaic covenant, much like Paul uses “body” language for communities.

Transition from Moses to Messiah – The struggle between Michael and the devil represents the contention over authority in the shift from the Sinai covenant to the new covenant.

Michael as Israel’s guardian – Daniel 12:1 describes Michael as the protector of Israel, reinforcing the idea that this dispute is over the fate of the covenant people.

Conclusion

A dehellenized, Jewish reading of Jude emphasizes Israel's history, covenantal faithfulness, and rebellion. This interpretation keeps Jude within the stream of Jewish apocalyptic thought, rather than importing Greek myths.