Genesis 49:9
New International Version
You are a lion’s cub, Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness—who dares to rouse him?

New Living Translation
Judah, my son, is a young lion that has finished eating its prey. Like a lion he crouches and lies down; like a lioness—who dares to rouse him?

English Standard Version
Judah is a lion’s cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him?

Berean Standard Bible
Judah is a young lion—my son, you return from the prey. Like a lion he crouches and lies down; like a lioness, who dares to rouse him?

King James Bible
Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?

New King James Version
Judah is a lion’s whelp; From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He bows down, he lies down as a lion; And as a lion, who shall rouse him?

New American Standard Bible
“Judah is a lion’s cub; From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He crouches, he lies down as a lion, And as a lion, who dares to stir him up?

NASB 1995
“Judah is a lion’s whelp; From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He couches, he lies down as a lion, And as a lion, who dares rouse him up?

NASB 1977
“Judah is a lion’s whelp; From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He couches, he lies down as a lion, And as a lion, who dares rouse him up?

Legacy Standard Bible
Judah is a lion’s whelp; From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He crouches, he lies down as a lion, And as a lioness, who dares rouse him up?

Amplified Bible
“Judah, a lion’s cub; With the prey, my son, you have gone high up [the mountain]. He stooped down, he crouched like a lion, And like a lion—who dares rouse him?

Christian Standard Bible
Judah is a young lion — my son, you return from the kill. He crouches; he lies down like a lion or a lioness—who dares to rouse him?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Judah is a young lion— my son, you return from the kill. He crouches; he lies down like a lion or a lioness—who dares to rouse him?

American Standard Version
Judah is a lion's whelp; From the prey, my son, thou art gone up: He stooped down, he couched as a lion, And as a lioness; who shall rouse him up?

Contemporary English Version
My son, you are a lion ready to eat your victim! You are terribly fierce; no one will bother you.

English Revised Version
Judah is a lion's whelp; From the prey, my son, thou art gone up: He stooped down, he couched as a lion, And as a lioness; who shall rouse him up?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Judah, you are a lion cub. You have come back from the kill, my son. He lies down and rests like a lion. He is like a lioness. Who dares to disturb him?

Good News Translation
Judah is like a lion, Killing his victim and returning to his den, Stretching out and lying down. No one dares disturb him.

International Standard Version
Judah is a lion cub. My son, you have gone up from the prey. Crouching like a lion, he lies down, Like a lioness, who would dare rouse him?

Majority Standard Bible
Judah is a young lion—my son, you return from the prey. Like a lion he crouches and lies down; like a lioness, who dares to rouse him?

NET Bible
You are a lion's cub, Judah, from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He crouches and lies down like a lion; like a lioness--who will rouse him?

New Heart English Bible
Judah is a lion’s cub. From the prey, my son, you rise up. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, as a lioness. Who will rouse him up?

Webster's Bible Translation
Judah is a lion's whelp; from the prey, my son, thou hast gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion: who shall rouse him up?

World English Bible
Judah is a lion’s cub. From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down, he crouched as a lion, as a lioness. Who will rouse him up?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
A lion’s whelp [is] Judah, "" For prey, my son, you have gone up; He has bent, he has crouched as a lion, "" And as a lioness; who causes him to arise?

Young's Literal Translation
A lion's whelp is Judah, For prey, my son, thou hast gone up; He hath bent, he hath crouched as a lion, And as a lioness; who causeth him to arise?

Smith's Literal Translation
Judah, a lion's whelp; from the green leaf, my son, thou didst go up: bending, lying down, as a lion, and as a lioness: who shall raise him up?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Juda is a lion's whelp: to the prey, my son, thou art gone up: resting thou hast couched as a lion, and as a lioness, who shall rouse him?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Judah is a lion’s young. You have gone up to the prey, my son. While resting, you have lain like a lion. And just like a lioness, who would rouse him?

New American Bible
Judah is a lion’s cub, you have grown up on prey, my son. He crouches, lies down like a lion, like a lioness—who would dare rouse him?

New Revised Standard Version
Judah is a lion’s whelp; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He crouches down, he stretches out like a lion, like a lioness—who dares rouse him up?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Judah is a lion's whelp; from the prey, my son, you are gone up; he stooped down, he crouched as a lion, and as a young lion; who shall rouse him up?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Yehuda is the whelp of a lion; you went up from the killed prey, my son; he knelt and crouched as a lion and like a whelp of a lion, and who is it that will raise him up?
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Judah is a lion's whelp; From the prey, my son, thou art gone up. He stooped down, he couched as a lion, And as a lioness; who shall rouse him up?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Juda is a lion's whelp: from the tender plant, my son, thou art gone up, having couched thou liest as a lion, and as a whelp; who shall stir him up?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jacob Blesses His Sons
8Judah, your brothers shall praise you. Your hand shall be on the necks of your enemies; your father’s sons shall bow down to you. 9Judah is a young lion— my son, you return from the prey. Like a lion he crouches and lies down; like a lioness, who dares to rouse him? 10The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes and the allegiance of the nations is his.…

Cross References
Revelation 5:5
Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

Numbers 24:9
He crouches, he lies down like a lion, like a lioness—who dares to rouse him? Blessed are those who bless you and cursed are those who curse you.”

Hosea 5:14
For I am like a lion to Ephraim and like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear them to pieces and then go away. I will carry them off where no one can rescue them.

Amos 3:8
The lion has roared—who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken—who will not prophesy?

Isaiah 31:4
For this is what the LORD has said to me: “Like a lion roaring or a young lion over its prey—and though a band of shepherds is called out against it, it is not terrified by their shouting or subdued by their clamor—so the LORD of Hosts will come down to do battle on Mount Zion and its heights.

Ezekiel 19:5-7
When she saw that she had waited in vain, that her hope was lost, she took another of her cubs and made him a young lion. / He prowled among the lions, and became a young lion. After learning to tear his prey, he devoured men. / He broke down their strongholds and devastated their cities. The land and everything in it shuddered at the sound of his roaring.

Micah 5:8
Then the remnant of Jacob will be among the nations, in the midst of many peoples, like a lion among the beasts of the forest, like a young lion among flocks of sheep, which tramples and tears as it passes through, with no one to rescue them.

1 Peter 5:8
Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Isaiah 11:1-10
Then a shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit. / The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD. / And He will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what His eyes see, and He will not decide by what His ears hear, ...

Jeremiah 50:44
Behold, one will come up like a lion from the thickets of the Jordan to the watered pasture. For in an instant I will chase Babylon from her land. Who is the chosen one I will appoint for this? For who is like Me, and who can challenge Me? What shepherd can stand against Me?”

2 Samuel 17:10
Then even the most valiant soldier with the heart of a lion will melt with fear, because all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man who has valiant men with him.

Proverbs 28:1
The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

Revelation 22:16
“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star.”

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.’”

Hebrews 7:14
For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, a tribe as to which Moses said nothing about priests.


Treasury of Scripture

Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, you are gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?

a lion's.

Hosea 5:4,14
They will not frame their doings to turn unto their God: for the spirit of whoredoms is in the midst of them, and they have not known the LORD…

1 Corinthians 15:24
Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

Revelation 5:5
And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

he stooped.

Numbers 23:24
Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain.

Numbers 24:9
He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee.

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Broken Couched Couches Crouched Crouches Cub Dares Full Great Judah Lies Lion's Meat Prey Rest Rouse Sleep Stooped Whelp Young
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Broken Couched Couches Crouched Crouches Cub Dares Full Great Judah Lies Lion's Meat Prey Rest Rouse Sleep Stooped Whelp Young
Genesis 49
1. Jacob calls his sons to bless them.
3. Their blessing in particular.
29. He charges them about his burial.
33. He dies.














Judah is a young lion—
The imagery of Judah as a "young lion" is rich with symbolism and significance. In Hebrew, the word for lion is "aryeh," which conveys strength, majesty, and dominance. The lion is often seen as the king of beasts, and this metaphor suggests that Judah possesses qualities of leadership and power. Historically, the tribe of Judah became the most prominent among the tribes of Israel, producing kings like David and ultimately, according to Christian belief, Jesus Christ, the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5). This phrase sets the stage for Judah's future prominence and royal lineage.

my son, you return from the prey
The phrase "my son, you return from the prey" suggests a victorious and triumphant return. In the Hebrew context, the word for "prey" is "tereph," which implies a successful hunt or conquest. This can be seen as a prophetic declaration of Judah's future victories and conquests. The imagery of returning from the prey indicates not only success in battle but also the ability to provide and protect, qualities essential for leadership. This phrase underscores the idea of Judah's emerging dominance and the fulfillment of God's promises through this tribe.

Like a lion, he crouches and lies down
The depiction of Judah as a lion that "crouches and lies down" evokes a sense of peace and security. In Hebrew, the word for "crouches" is "rabats," which implies resting or settling down. This imagery suggests that Judah, after achieving victory, can rest confidently, unthreatened by enemies. It reflects a period of peace and stability, a foreshadowing of the peace that would come under the reign of David and Solomon. Spiritually, it can also symbolize the rest and assurance found in Christ, who offers peace to His followers.

like a lioness, who dares to rouse him?
The comparison to a "lioness" adds another layer of meaning. In the animal kingdom, lionesses are known for their fierce protection of their cubs and their role in hunting. The Hebrew word "lavi" for lioness emphasizes strength and protective instincts. The rhetorical question "who dares to rouse him?" suggests that Judah's power is formidable and not to be challenged lightly. This phrase highlights the invincibility and authority that Judah will wield, pointing to the ultimate authority of Christ, who reigns supreme and whose kingdom cannot be shaken.

(9) Judah is a lion's whelp.--We have seen that the sons of Jacob had each his signet, and that Judah's was so large as to be worn by him attached to a cord fastened round his neck (Genesis 38:18). Probably his emblem was a lion; that of Zebulun a ship; that of Issachar an ass; that of Dan an adder, and so on. Using then his self-chosen emblem, Jacob compares him, first, to a "lion's whelp," full of activity and enterprise, and which, after feasting upon its prey, goes up to its mountain lair, calm and fearless in the consciousness of its strength. But as Judah is a young lion in his activity and fearlessness, so is he "a lion" full-grown and majestic in his repose, which Jacob's words literally describe. For the "stooping down" is the bending of the limbs together before the lion couches, that is, lies down in his den.

As an old lion.--Heb., as a lioness, the female being said to be more fierce than the male, and to resent more angrily any disturbance of its rest.



Parallel Commentaries ...


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

is a young
גּ֤וּר (gūr)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1482: A cub, of the lion

lion—
אַרְיֵה֙ (’ar·yêh)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 738: A lion

my son,
בְּנִ֣י (bə·nî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1121: A son

you return
עָלִ֑יתָ (‘ā·lî·ṯā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

from the prey.
מִטֶּ֖רֶף (miṭ·ṭe·rep̄)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2964: Something torn, a fragment, a fresh leaf, prey, food

Like a lion
כְּאַרְיֵ֛ה (kə·’ar·yêh)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 738: A lion

he crouches
כָּרַ֨ע (kā·ra‘)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3766: To bend the knee, to sink, to prostrate

[and] lies down;
רָבַ֧ץ (rā·ḇaṣ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7257: To crouch, be implication, to recline, repose, brood, lurk, imbed

like a lioness,
וּכְלָבִ֖יא (ū·ḵə·lā·ḇî)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3833: To roar, a lion,

who
מִ֥י (mî)
Interrogative
Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix

dares to rouse him?
יְקִימֶֽנּוּ׃ (yə·qî·men·nū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand


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OT Law: Genesis 49:9 Judah is a lion's cub (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 49:8
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