Judea was a Nephite city held by Antipus during the war with the Lamanites, around 66 B.C. When Helaman arrived in the twenty-sixth year, he found Antipus and his men toiling to fortify the city; their army had been reduced by Lamanite attacks and they were worn down in body and spirit. Helaman joined his two thousand young men to Antipus’ force, which gave the defenders fresh hope (Alma 56:9–10).
When the Lamanites saw that Antipus had received greater strength, they were ordered by Ammoron not to attack Judea or Helaman’s army. Had they come while the Nephites were weak, they might have destroyed the little army; instead the Nephites were spared (Alma 56:18–19).
From Judea the Nephites kept spies posted to watch Lamanite movements by day and night, guarding the cities to the north. Antipus later ordered Helaman to march out from the city with his young men as if carrying provisions to a neighboring city, a stratagem against the Lamanites; the city also served as the point to which captured provisions and prisoners were directed (Alma 56:22, 30; 57:11).