Final answer:
The 'People of Judah' refers to the inhabitants of the ancient southern kingdom of Judah, known for their monotheistic worship and becoming the Jewish people. Their history, including periods of vassalage, rebellion, and the Babylonian Exile, has significantly shaped the development of Judaism and influenced the monotheistic religions of Christianity and Islam.
Step-by-step explanation:
People of Judah
The term “People of Judah” refers to the inhabitants of the southern kingdom of Judah, distinct from the northern kingdom of Israel. Judah was smaller, more conservative, and the site where the Prophetic Movement began resulting in the monotheistic worship of Yahweh. The Jews, as they came to be known, were associated with specific religious practices, including the observance of the Sabbath, dietary laws, and the worship of Yahweh. The kingdom of Judah experienced periods of vassalage and rebellion until the Babylonian Captivity in 586 BCE, where many Jews were deported to Babylon.
During the Babylonian Exile, Judean culture and religious beliefs underwent a period of revival and editing of Hebrew writings which formed the core of the Hebrew Bible. After the exile, the Jews were permitted to return to Judah and begin the reconstruction of their society and their temple in Jerusalem. Historically, the people of Judah have had a significant influence on the development of Judaism, as well as the subsequent rise of Christianity and Islam.
The lasting impact of Judean culture can be seen in its contribution to the formation of Judaism and the Hebrew Bible. Jewish people have maintained a distinct cultural and religious identity throughout history, and this identity has adapted and assimilated to various extents depending on their location and circumstances, as seen in both ancient and modern times.