1 Chronicles 5:2

2 Judah became stronger than his brothers, and a leader came from his family. But Joseph's family received the privileges that belonged to the oldest son.

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 Reuben was Israel's first son. Reuben should have received the special privileges of the oldest son, but he had sexual relations with his father's slave woman. So those special privileges were given to Joseph's sons. (Joseph was a son of Israel.) In the family history Reuben's name is not listed as the first son.

2 Judah became stronger than his brothers, and a leader came from his family. But Joseph's family received the privileges that belonged to the oldest son.

3 Reuben was Israel's first son. Reuben's sons were Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.

4 These were the children of Joel: Shemaiah was Joel's son. Gog was Shemaiah's son. Shimei was Gog's son.

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