1 Chronicles 5:2

2 Even though Judah was more prominent than his brothers and the prince was to come from him, Joseph received the rights as firstborn.)

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 These are the sons of Reuben, Israel's firstborn. (Although he was the firstborn, his rights as firstborn were given to his nephews, Joseph's sons, because he dishonored his father's bed. However, Joseph couldn't be listed in the genealogy as the firstborn son.

2 Even though Judah was more prominent than his brothers and the prince was to come from him, Joseph received the rights as firstborn.)

3 The sons of Reuben, Israel's firstborn, were Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.

4 Joel's son was Shemaiah. Shemaiah's son was Gog. Gog's son was Shimei.

5 Shimei's son was Micah. Micah's son was Reaiah. Reaiah's son was Baal.