1 Chronicles 5:2

2 ¹though Judah became strong among his brothers and a ²chief came from him, yet the birthright belonged to Joseph),

1 Chronicles 5:2 Meaning and Commentary

1 Chronicles 5:2

For Judah prevailed above his brethren
That is, the tribe of Judah prevailed above the rest in number, in valour, and courage, and in dignity; wherefore the genealogy is not reckoned according to birthright, but dignity and dominion; hence this genealogical account began with Judah,

[because] of him [came] the chief ruler;
David and the kings of Judah, his successors; and above all, from him the Prince Messiah was to spring, and did, according to ( Genesis 49:10 ) so both the Syriac and Arabic versions read,

``out of Judah should go forth the King Messiah:''

but the birthright [was] Joseph's
or "though" ^F16 it was; yet Judah having the dominion and dignity, that tribe is first genealogized.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F16 Licet, ibid. (Tigurine version)

1 Chronicles 5:2 In-Context

1 The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn, but because he defiled his father's couch, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel, so that he could not be enrolled as the oldest son;

2 though Judah became strong among his brothers and a chief came from him, yet the birthright belonged to Joseph),

3 the sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.

4 The sons of Joel: Shemaiah his son, Gog his son, Shimei his son,

5 Micah his son, Reaiah his son, Baal his son,

Cross References

• 1. See Genesis 49:8-10
• 2. Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:6