John Gill Commentary 1 Chronicles 5:2

"For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the prince; but the birthright was Joseph`s:)" — 1 Chronicles 5:2 (ASV)

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; therefore 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)