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Judas

Biblical
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Apostle infamous for betraying Jesus to authorities for thirty pieces of silver, symbolizing treachery and remorse.

Detailed Definition
Judas’s kiss led to Jesus’s arrest, making him the archetypal traitor. His remorse and suicide add tragic depth. In poetry, Judas represents betrayal, guilt, and the paradox of necessary treachery in divine plans.
Example
Example in poetry:
In Dante’s "Inferno," Judas is eternally chewed by Satan for ultimate betrayal; In Christian poetry like George Herbert’s “The Sacrifice,” Judas embodies remorse and despair; In W.H. Auden’s “For the Time Being,” Judas questions the necessity of his role; In T.S. Eliot’s “Ash-Wednesday,” Judas symbolizes failed devotion; In modern poetry, Judas often represents the scapegoated insider; In Tracy K. Smith’s “Watershed,” Judas’ kiss echoes in political betrayal.
Additional Notes
Judas, betrayer of Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, symbolizes treachery, remorse, and the archetype of the insider turned traitor; poets reinterpret him variously—as purely villainous, as tragic pawn, or as necessary to salvation (Gnostic views)—his kiss and suicide raise questions about guilt, free will, and the price of betrayal in religious and psychological poetry.
Also Known As
Betrayer of Christ Thirty-Piece Traitor Iscariot
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