cities of Judah
2 Chronicles 31:6
31:6 cities of Judah. This reference implies that “the children of Israel,” as well as “the children of Judah” were included in those “that dwelt in the cities of Judah.” Probably some of those Israelites from the Northern Kingdom who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover were so convicted of its vital importance that they decided to make their permanent home in Judah. The prophetess Anna, for example, during the days of Christ, was from the tribe of Asher (Luke 2:36). It is very probable, if not certain, that all the tribes (in addition to Judah, Benjamin and Levi, in the southern kingdom) were represented in the land of Israel during the days of Christ, and thus are included among those known as the Jews today.