Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Chronicles 5:2

For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him [came] the chief ruler; but the birthright [was] Joseph’s: )

2. Judah prevailed above his brethren ] Cp. Gen 49:8 (Jacob to Judah) “Thy father’s children shall bow down before thee.”

the chief ruler ] R.V. the prince. The Heb. word is ngd, translated “captain” (1Sa 13:14, A.V.) and “ruler” (2Sa 7:8, A.V.). The prophets seem to prefer this word to melech, “king” as the title of the head of the Israelite state. The immediate reference is to David (Saul being virtually ignored by the Chronicler), but (since David is a typical character) a further reference in the words is possible. The Peshitta (a Judaeo-Christian work) translates, From him shall come forth (acc. to another reading, hath come forth) King Messiah.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

1Ch 5:2

And of him came the Chief Ruler.

The Chief Ruler

I read of the rulers of the darkness of this world; the rulers of synagogues; the rulers that set themselves against the Lord and against His Anointed; but none of them are Chief. Christ is the Chief Ruler.

I. His appointment to office (Pro 8:22-31; Psa 2:6-9).

1. He rules in the Church.

2. He rules in the hearts of His people.

II. His essential qualifications for that office.

1. Infinite wisdom.

2. Invincible power.

3. Order.

III. The mercies unfolded in it.

1. By it is maintained the truth of God.

2. His empire is secured through it. He must rule until every enemy submits (Psa 72:11; Isa 11:7).

3. Triumphs are secured to us and repeatedly realised by our Chief Ruler.

(1) Over temptations (1Co 10:13).

(2) Over every difficulty in providence (Isa 13:16). (Joseph Irons.)

Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell

Verse 2. And of him came the chief ruler] This is, by both the Syriac and Arabic, understood of Christ: “From Judah the King Messiah shall proceed.” The Chaldee paraphrases the verse thus: “Seeing Judah prevailed over his brethren, so the kingdom was taken from Reuben and given to Judah; and because he was strong, so was his kingdom. Levi also was godly, and did not transgress in the matter of the golden calf; therefore the high priesthood was taken away from the children of Reuben, and on their account from all the first-born, and given to Aaron and his sons. The custody of the sanctuary belonged to the Levites, but the birthright to Joseph.” – T.

Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible

Judah; not the person, (for so Joseph prevailed,) but the tribe of Judah.

Prevailed above his brethren; excelled the other tribes in number and power, and especially in the following privilege.

And of him, or for of him, as the Hebrew vau is oft used; this being a reason of the foregoing assertion, or a declaration wherein he did prevail.

Came the chief ruler; the government was by Gods promise and appointment to be seated chiefly and most durably in that tribe, first in David and his successors, and then in the Messiah, who sprang out of Judah, Heb 7:14, which was a far greater privilege than the birthright. Or, as to the ruler, (i.e. as to the point of dominion,) he was more than he, or preferred before him, i.e. before Joseph, who is named in the very next clause, the pronoun being referred unto the following noun, which is frequent among the Hebrews, as Psa 87:1; 105:19.

But the birthright; or,

although, as vau is oft used; so this prevents or removes an objection against Judahs precedency taken from his birthright.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

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 Ge 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” p it was; yet Judah having the dominion and dignity, that tribe is first genealogized.

p Licet, ibid. (Tigurine version)

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

(2) For Judah prevailed above his brethren.Literally, was mighty among his brethren. Comp. Jacobs blessing (Gen. 49:8-10): Judah, thouthy brethren shall praise thee, Thy hand shall be on the neck of thy foes, Thy fathers sons shall bow before thee. Sceptre shall not depart from Judah, Nor doom-staff from between his feet, &c. (See also Jdg. 1:1-2, where Judah is divinely commissioned to lead the attack upon the Canaanites.) At the census of Moses, Judah greatly outnumbered any other single tribe (Num. 1:27).

And of him came the chief ruler.And from him (one was to become) prince. Literally, and for a princeout of him. (Comp. Mic. 5:1.) LXX., . David is meant, as in 1Sa. 13:14. We may also remember the word of the apostolic writer: It is evident that our Lord sprang out of Judah (Heb. 7:4). The prophecy concerning the royal dignity of Judah is only thus exhausted of its meaning.

But the birthright was Josephs, who actually received the double portion in the two tribal domains of Ephraim and Manasseh.

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

1Ch 5:2. Of him came the chief ruler The reader will observe, that there is nothing for came in the original. There can be no doubt that the sacred writer here refers to Jacob’s prophesy in Gen 49:10. See the note on that place. The Syriac renders it, Christ the king; and the Arabic, Messiah the king.

Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke

1Ch 5:2 For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him [came] the chief ruler; but the birthright [was] Joseph’s:)

Ver. 2. For Judah prevailed above his brethren. ] As was foretold. Gen 49:8-10 See Trapp on “ Gen 49:8 “ See Trapp on “ Gen 49:9 “ See Trapp on “ Gen 49:10 “

And of him came the chief ruler. ] Jesus Christ especially. Heb 7:14

But the birthright was Joseph’s.] Quod ad fructum attinet.

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)