Note 1 at Joh 4:3: "Judaea" is derived from the word "Judah" and is used to refer to a geographical region in the southern portion of the nation of Israel. It is first used in the Bible in Ezr 5:8 (Judea). This was during the Israelite's captivity, and this word probably came into use during the exile. The term is synonymous with the Old Testament "land of Judah," occupied by the tribes of Judah and Benjamin.