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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Chronicles 5:1-17

We have here an extract out of the genealogies, I. Of the tribe of Reuben, where we have, 1. The reason why this tribe is thus postponed. It is confessed that Reuben was the first-born of Israel, and, upon that account, might challenge the precedency; but he forfeited his birthright by defiling his father's concubine, and was, for that, sentenced not to excel, Gen. 49:4. Sin lessens men, thrusts them down from their excellency. Seventh-commandment sins especially leave an indelible stain upon... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible 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... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Chronicles 5:2

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... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Chronicles 5:1-10

EXPOSITION THE SONS OF REUBEN . The tribe of Reuben is now taken third in order by the compiler, though Reuben was the first of all the sons of Israel. The distinct statements of 1 Chronicles 5:1 and 1 Chronicles 5:2 , respecting the degradation of Reuben and his loss of the rights of primogeniture, are not to be understood, however, as mentioned in any way to account for his standing third here. That Judah takes in any genealogy the first place needs no other apology than... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Chronicles 5:2

1 Chronicles 5:2. For Judah Not the person, (for in person Joseph prevailed,) but the tribe of Judah. Prevailed Excelled the other tribes, especially in the following privilege. And of him Rather, For of him, as the Hebrew ו , vau, is often used: this being a reason of the foregoing assertion, or declaration, showing wherein he did prevail. Came the chief ruler The government was, by God’s promise and appointment, to be seated chiefly and most durably in that tribe, first in David... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Chronicles 5:1-26

The eastern tribes (5:1-26)At the beginning of this section, the writer gives the reason why he listed the genealogy of Judah before that of Reuben, the firstborn. Reuben had lost his rights as the firstborn (see Genesis 35:22), so the ruling power in Israel was given to Judah instead. The firstborn’s double portion of the inheritance went to Joseph, who received two tribes in Israel (Ephraim and Manasseh). The descendants of Reuben, along with those of Gad and half the tribe of Manasseh, dwelt... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Chronicles 5:2

Judah prevailed. Compare Genesis 49:8 , referring to intertribal precedence. came. Supply Figure of speech Ellipsis with "is". chief ruler. Referring to the regal line, and the coming of the Messiah. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Chronicles 5:2

1 Chronicles 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 Genesis 49:10. See the note on that place. The Syriac renders it, Christ the king; and the Arabic, Messiah the king. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Chronicles 5:1-26

3. The families of Transjordan ch. 5Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh settled east of the Jordan River. Reuben would have normally been the son of Jacob through whom the greatest blessing would come since he was the first-born. However, because of his sin (1 Chronicles 5:1), God passed him over. God blessed Joseph with the double portion of the birthright. He did this by elevating Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, to equality among Jacob’s other sons, Joseph’s brothers. God’s... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Chronicles 5:1-26

Genealogies (continued)This chapter gives lists of the descendants of Reuben, the families of Gad, and the families of the eastern division of Manasseh.1. His birthright] This was a portion of the inheritance, twice as great as that given to each of the other sons. The two children of Joseph together received the share which, in right of birth, should have been Reuben’s, each being placed on a level with their uncles, the sons of Jacob: cp. Genesis 48:5. And the genealogy] Joseph, though... read more

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