1 Chronicles 5:2

2 Although Judah became the strongest among his brothers and a leader came from him, 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.

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FOOTNOTES:

F16 Licet, ibid. (Tigurine version)

1 Chronicles 5:2 In-Context

1 The family of Reuben, Israel's oldest son: he was actually the oldest, but when he dishonored his father's bed his birthright was given to the family of Joseph, Israel's son, so Reuben isn't listed as the oldest in the records.

2 Although Judah became the strongest among his brothers and a leader came from him, the birthright belonged to Joseph.

3 The family of Reuben, Israel's oldest son: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.

4 Joel's family: his son Shemaiah, his son Gog, his son Shimei,

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