1 Chronicles 5:2
New International Version
and though Judah was the strongest of his brothers and a ruler came from him, the rights of the firstborn belonged to Joseph)—

New Living Translation
The descendants of Judah became the most powerful tribe and provided a ruler for the nation, but the birthright belonged to Joseph.

English Standard Version
though Judah became strong among his brothers and a chief came from him, yet the birthright belonged to Joseph),

Berean Standard Bible
And though Judah prevailed over his brothers and a ruler came from him, the birthright belonged to Joseph.

King James Bible
For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph's:)

New King James Version
yet Judah prevailed over his brothers, and from him came a ruler, although the birthright was Joseph’s—

New American Standard Bible
Though Judah prevailed over his brothers, and from him came the leader, yet the birthright belonged to Joseph),

NASB 1995
Though Judah prevailed over his brothers, and from him came the leader, yet the birthright belonged to Joseph),

NASB 1977
Though Judah prevailed over his brothers, and from him came the leader, yet the birthright belonged to Joseph),

Legacy Standard Bible
Though Judah prevailed over his brothers, and from him came the ruler, yet the birthright belonged to Joseph),

Amplified Bible
Though Judah prevailed over his brothers, and from him came [David] the leader [and eventually the Messiah], yet the birthright was Joseph’s—

Christian Standard Bible
Although Judah became strong among his brothers and a ruler came from him, the birthright was given to Joseph.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Although Judah became strong among his brothers and a ruler came from him, the birthright was given to Joseph.

American Standard Version
For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the prince; but the birthright was Joseph's),

Contemporary English Version
even though it was the Judah tribe that became the most powerful and produced a leader.

English Revised Version
For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the prince; but the birthright was Joseph's:)

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Even though Judah was more prominent than his brothers and the prince was to come from him, Joseph received the rights as firstborn.)

Good News Translation
It was the tribe of Judah, however, that became the strongest and provided a ruler for all the tribes.)

International Standard Version
Even though Judah became prominent among his relatives—that is, the Commander-in-chief will be his descendant—nevertheless the right of the firstborn went to Joseph.)

Majority Standard Bible
And though Judah prevailed over his brothers and a ruler came from him, the birthright belonged to Joseph.

NET Bible
Though Judah was the strongest among his brothers and a leader descended from him, the right of the firstborn belonged to Joseph.)

New Heart English Bible
For Judah prevailed above his brothers, and a leader descended from him; but the birthright was Joseph's:)

Webster's Bible Translation
For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birth-right was Joseph's:)

World English Bible
For Judah prevailed above his brothers, and from him came the prince; but the birthright was Joseph’s)—
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for Judah has been mighty over his brother, and for leader above him, and the birthright [is] to Joseph—

Young's Literal Translation
for Judah hath been mighty over his brother, and for leader above him, and the birthright is to Joseph.

Smith's Literal Translation
For Judah was strong over his brethren, and for a leader from him; and the birthright to Joseph:)
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But of the race of Juda, who was the strongest among his brethren, came the princes: but the first birthright was accounted to Joseph.)

Catholic Public Domain Version
Moreover, Judah, who was strongest among his brothers, from his stock leaders sprung up, but the right of firstborn was reputed to Joseph.

New American Bible
Judah, in fact, became powerful among his brothers, so that the ruler came from him, though the birthright had been Joseph’s.)

New Revised Standard Version
though Judah became prominent among his brothers and a ruler came from him, yet the birthright belonged to Joseph.)
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For from Judah shall come forth Messiah the King, but the blessings shall be given to Joseph),

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
From Yehuda will come forth The King Messiah , and the right of the firstborn shall be given to Yoseph. .
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came he that is the prince; but the birthright was Joseph's--

Brenton Septuagint Translation
for Judas was very mighty even among his brethren, and one was to be a ruler out of him: but the blessing was Joseph's).

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Descendants of Reuben
1These were the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. Though he was the firstborn, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, because Reuben defiled his father’s bed. So he is not reckoned according to birthright. 2And though Judah prevailed over his brothers and a ruler came from him, the birthright belonged to Joseph. 3The sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.…

Cross References
Genesis 49:10
The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes and the allegiance of the nations is his.

Genesis 48:19
But his father refused. “I know, my son, I know!” he said. “He too shall become a people, and he too shall be great; nevertheless, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude of nations.”

Genesis 49:8
Judah, your brothers shall praise you. Your hand shall be on the necks of your enemies; your father’s sons shall bow down to you.

Numbers 2:3
On the east side, toward the sunrise, the divisions of Judah are to camp under their standard: The leader of the Judahites is Nahshon son of Amminadab,

Numbers 7:12
On the first day Nahshon son of Amminadab from the tribe of Judah drew near with his offering.

Numbers 10:14
First, the divisions of the camp of Judah set out under their standard, with Nahshon son of Amminadab in command.

Deuteronomy 33:7
And concerning Judah he said: “O LORD, hear the cry of Judah and bring him to his people. With his own hands he defends his cause, but may You be a help against his foes.”

1 Samuel 16:1
Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have selected from his sons a king for Myself.”

1 Samuel 16:12-13
So Jesse sent for his youngest son and brought him in. He was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him, for he is the one.” / So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah.

2 Samuel 7:16
Your house and kingdom will endure forever before Me, and your throne will be established forever.”

Psalm 78:68-70
But He chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion, which He loved. / He built His sanctuary like the heights, like the earth He has established forever. / He chose David His servant and took him from the sheepfolds;

Psalm 60:7
Gilead is Mine, and Manasseh is Mine; Ephraim is My helmet, Judah is My scepter.

Matthew 1:2-3
Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. / Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram.

Matthew 2:6
‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of My people Israel.’”

Luke 3:33
the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah,


Treasury of Scripture

For Judah prevailed above his brothers, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph's:)

Judah.

Genesis 35:23
The sons of Leah; Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, and Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Zebulun:

Genesis 49:8-10
Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father's children shall bow down before thee…

Numbers 2:3
And on the east side toward the rising of the sun shall they of the standard of the camp of Judah pitch throughout their armies: and Nahshon the son of Amminadab shall be captain of the children of Judah.

the chief ruler.

Genesis 49:10
The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

1 Samuel 16:1,10,12
And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons…

2 Samuel 8:15
And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people.

Psalm 78:68-71
But chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved…

birthright was.

Genesis 49:26
The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.

Romans 8:29
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

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1 Chronicles 5
1. Judah and Joseph preferred before Reuben, who forfeited his birthright.
3. Ruben's descendants; some of whom vanquish the Hagarites.
11. The chief men of Gad, and their habitations.
18. Ruben, Gad, and half of Manasseh, obtain a victory over the Hagarites.
23. The habitations and chief men of that half of Manasseh.
25. The captivity of the two tribes and half, for their sins.














though Judah prevailed over his brothers
The Hebrew word for "prevailed" is "גָּבַר" (gabar), which conveys the idea of strength, might, or superiority. Historically, Judah's preeminence is seen in the leadership role his tribe played among the Israelites. Judah's leadership is not just a matter of physical strength but also spiritual and moral leadership, as seen in the lineage of kings, including David and ultimately Jesus Christ, who is referred to as the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5). This phrase highlights God's sovereign choice and the fulfillment of His promises, as Judah was not the firstborn but was chosen to lead.

and a ruler came from him
This phrase points to the Davidic line, from which King David emerged, and ultimately to the Messiah, Jesus Christ. The Hebrew word for "ruler" is "נָגִיד" (nagid), which can mean leader, prince, or ruler. This prophetic statement underscores the messianic expectation that was fulfilled in Jesus, who is the King of Kings. The historical context here is significant, as it reflects the divine plan that transcends human customs, where the firstborn would typically inherit leadership.

the birthright belonged to Joseph
The term "birthright" in Hebrew is "בְּכוֹרָה" (bekorah), which refers to the rights and privileges of the firstborn son. In the context of Israel's history, Joseph, though not the firstborn, received a double portion through his sons Ephraim and Manasseh, as seen in Genesis 48. This allocation of the birthright to Joseph is a testament to God's providence and the fulfillment of His promises to the patriarchs. It also reflects the theme of God's grace, where He often chooses the unlikely or the younger to fulfill His purposes, as seen throughout Scripture.

(2) For Judah prevailed above his brethren.--Literally, was mighty among his brethren. Comp. Jacob's blessing (Genesis 49:8-10): "Judah, thou--thy brethren shall praise thee, Thy hand shall be on the neck of thy foes, Thy father's sons shall bow before thee. Sceptre shall not depart from Judah, Nor doom-staff from between his feet," &c. (See also Judges 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 (Numbers 1:27).

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

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And though
כִּ֤י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

Judah
יְהוּדָה֙ (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

prevailed
גָּבַ֣ר (gā·ḇar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1396: To be strong, to prevail, act insolently

over his brothers
בְּאֶחָ֔יו (bə·’e·ḥāw)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )

and a ruler
וּלְנָגִ֖יד (ū·lə·nā·ḡîḏ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5057: A commander, civil, military, religious, honorable themes

came from him,
מִמֶּ֑נּוּ (mim·men·nū)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

the birthright
וְהַבְּכֹרָ֖ה (wə·hab·bə·ḵō·rāh)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1062: The firstling of man, beast, primogeniture

belonged to Joseph.
לְיוֹסֵֽף׃ (lə·yō·w·sêp̄)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3130: Joseph -- 'he increases', a son of Jacob, also the name of several Israelites


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OT History: 1 Chronicles 5:2 For Judah prevailed above his brothers (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr)
1 Chronicles 5:1
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