1 Chronicles 5:2

2 For Judah prevailed above his brethren and was their prince, but the birthright was Joseph’s:)

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.

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FOOTNOTES:

F16 Licet, ibid. (Tigurine version)

1 Chronicles 5:2 In-Context

1 Now the sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn, but because he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph, the son of Israel; and he was not counted as the firstborn.

2 For Judah prevailed above his brethren and was their prince, but the birthright was Joseph’s:)

3 The sons, therefore, of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel, were Enoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.

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

5 Micah, his son, Reaia, his son, Baal, his son,