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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/49-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/01_Gen_49_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 49:8 - Jacob Blesses His Sons" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Judah, your brothers shall praise you. 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You will grasp your enemies by the neck. All your relatives will bow before you. <a href="/esv/genesis/49.htm">English Standard Version</a> “Judah, your brothers shall praise you; your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons shall bow down before you. <a href="/bsb/genesis/49.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/kjv/genesis/49.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/genesis/49.htm">New King James Version</a> “Judah, you are he whom your brothers shall praise; Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; Your father’s children shall bow down before you. <a href="/nasb_/genesis/49.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “As for you, Judah, your brothers shall praise you; Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; Your father’s sons shall bow down to you. <a href="/nasb/genesis/49.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Judah, your brothers shall praise you; Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; Your father&#8217s sons shall bow down to you. <a href="/nasb77/genesis/49.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “Judah, your brothers shall praise you; Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; Your father’s sons shall bow down to you. <a href="/lsb/genesis/49.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> “Judah, as for you, your brothers shall praise you; Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; Your father’s sons shall bow down to you. <a href="/amp/genesis/49.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “Judah, you are the one whom your brothers shall praise; Your hand will be on the neck of your enemies; Your father’s sons shall bow down to you. <a href="/csb/genesis/49.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Judah, your brothers will praise you. Your hand will be on the necks of your enemies; your father’s sons will bow down to you. <a href="/hcsb/genesis/49.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Judah, your brothers will praise you. Your hand will be on the necks of your enemies; your father&#8217s sons will bow down to you. <a href="/asv/genesis/49.htm">American Standard Version</a> Judah, thee shall thy brethren praise: Thy hand shall be on the neck of thine enemies; Thy father's sons shall bow down before thee. <a href="/cev/genesis/49.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Judah, you will be praised by your brothers; they will bow down to you, as you defeat your enemies. <a href="/erv/genesis/49.htm">English Revised Version</a> Judah, thee shall thy brethren praise: Thy hand shall be on the neck of thine enemies; Thy father's sons shall bow down before thee. <a href="/gwt/genesis/49.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "[Judah], your brothers will praise you. Your hand will be on the neck of your enemies. Your father's sons will bow down to you. <a href="/gnt/genesis/49.htm">Good News Translation</a> "Judah, your brothers will praise you. You hold your enemies by the neck. Your brothers will bow down before you. <a href="/isv/genesis/49.htm">International Standard Version</a> "Your brothers will praise you, Judah. Your hand will be at the throat of your enemies, and your father's children will bow down to you. <a href="/msb/genesis/49.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/net/genesis/49.htm">NET Bible</a> Judah, your brothers will praise you. Your hand will be on the neck of your enemies, your father's sons will bow down before you. <a href="/nheb/genesis/49.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Judah, your brothers will praise you. Your hand will be on the neck of your enemies. Your father?s sons will bow down before you. <a href="/wbt/genesis/49.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise; thy hand shall be on the neck of thy enemies: thy father's children shall bow down before thee. <a href="/web/genesis/49.htm">World English Bible</a> “Judah, your brothers will praise you. Your hand will be on the neck of your enemies. Your father’s sons will bow down before you. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/genesis/49.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Judah! Your brothers praise you! Your hand [is] on the neck of your enemies, "" Sons of your father bow themselves to you. <a href="/ylt/genesis/49.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Judah! thou -- thy brethren praise thee! Thy hand is on the neck of thine enemies, Sons of thy father bow themselves to thee. <a href="/slt/genesis/49.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Judah, thee, thee shall thy brethren praise; thy hand upon the back of thine enemies; thy father's sons shall worship before thee.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/genesis/49.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Juda, thee shall thy brethren praise: thy hands shall be on the necks of thy enemies: the sons of thy father shall bow down to thee. <a href="/cpdv/genesis/49.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Judah, your brothers will praise you. Your hand will be at the necks of your enemies; the sons of your father will reverence you. <a href="/nabre/genesis/49.htm">New American Bible</a> “You, Judah, shall your brothers praise —your hand on the neck of your enemies; the sons of your father shall bow down to you. <a href="/nrsvce/genesis/49.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Judah, your brothers shall praise you; your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons shall bow down before you.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/genesis/49.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Judah, your brothers shall praise you; your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; your father's sons shall bow down before you. <a href="/hpbt/genesis/49.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Yehuda, to you your brethren shall give praise; your hand will be on the necks of your enemies; the sons of your father shall bow down to you.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/genesis/49.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Judah, thee shall thy brethren praise; Thy hand shall be on the neck of thine enemies; Thy father's sons shall bow down before thee. <a href="/sep/genesis/49.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> Juda, thy brethren have praised thee, and thy hands shall be on the back of thine enemies; thy father's sons shall do thee reverence. <a href="/parallel/genesis/49-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=12850" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/genesis/49.htm">Jacob Blesses His Sons</a> …7Cursed be their anger, for it is strong, and their wrath, for it is cruel! I will disperse them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel. 8<a href="/hebrew/3063.htm" title="3063: yə·hū·ḏāh (N-proper-ms) -- From yadah; celebrated; Jehudah, the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory.">Judah,</a> <a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: ’at·tāh (Pro-2ms) -- You (masc. sing.). "></a> <a href="/hebrew/251.htm" title="251: ’a·ḥe·ḵā (N-mpc:: 2ms) -- A brother. A primitive word; a brother (like 'ab).">your brothers</a> <a href="/hebrew/3034.htm" title="3034: yō·w·ḏū·ḵā (V-Hifil-Imperf-3mp:: 2ms) -- To throw, cast. ">shall praise you.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: yā·ḏə·ḵā (N-fsc:: 2ms) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">Your hand</a> <a href="/hebrew/6203.htm" title="6203: bə·‘ō·rep̄ (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- Back of the neck, neck. From araph; the nape or back of the neck; hence, the back generally.">shall be on the necks</a> <a href="/hebrew/341.htm" title="341: ’ō·yə·ḇe·ḵā (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc:: 2ms) -- Hating, an adversary. Or owyeb; active participle of 'ayab; hating; an adversary.">of your enemies;</a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ā·ḇî·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">your father’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">sons</a> <a href="/hebrew/7812.htm" title="7812: yiš·ta·ḥăw·wū (V-Hitpael-Imperf-3mp) -- To bow down. A primitive root; to depress, i.e. Prostrate.">shall bow down</a> <a href="/hebrew/lə·ḵā (Prep:: 2ms) -- ">to you.</a> 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?…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/revelation/5-5.htm">Revelation 5:5</a> 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.” <a href="/matthew/1-2.htm">Matthew 1:2-3</a> 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. <a href="/hebrews/7-14.htm">Hebrews 7:14</a> For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, a tribe as to which Moses said nothing about priests. <a href="/micah/5-2.htm">Micah 5:2</a> But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel—One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity. <a href="/isaiah/11-1.htm">Isaiah 11:1</a> Then a shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit. <a href="/numbers/24-9.htm">Numbers 24:9</a> 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.” <a href="/1_chronicles/5-2.htm">1 Chronicles 5:2</a> And though Judah prevailed over his brothers and a ruler came from him, the birthright belonged to Joseph. <a href="/psalms/18-40.htm">Psalm 18:40</a> You have made my enemies retreat before me; I destroyed those who hated me. <a href="/psalms/110-1.htm">Psalm 110:1</a> A Psalm of David. The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.” <a href="/zechariah/9-9.htm">Zechariah 9:9</a> Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. <a href="/1_samuel/17-51.htm">1 Samuel 17:51</a> David ran and stood over him. He grabbed the Philistine’s sword and pulled it from its sheath and killed him, and he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. <a href="/2_samuel/22-41.htm">2 Samuel 22:41</a> You have made my enemies retreat before me; I destroyed those who hated me. <a href="/psalms/2-8.htm">Psalm 2:8-9</a> Ask Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance, the ends of the earth Your possession. / You will break them with an iron scepter; You will shatter them like pottery.” <a href="/john/1-49.htm">John 1:49</a> “Rabbi,” Nathanael answered, “You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” <a href="/luke/3-33.htm">Luke 3:33</a> the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah,</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Judah, you are he whom your brothers shall praise: your hand shall be in the neck of your enemies; your father's children shall bow down before you.shall praise.<a href="/genesis/29-35.htm">Genesis 29:35</a> And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing.<a href="/genesis/44-18.htm">Genesis 44:18-34</a> Then Judah came near unto him, and said, Oh my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord's ears, and let not thine anger burn against thy servant: for thou art even as Pharaoh… <a href="/genesis/46-12.htm">Genesis 46:12</a> And the sons of Judah; Er, and Onan, and Shelah, and Pharez, and Zerah: but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. And the sons of Pharez were Hezron and Hamul.thy hand.<a href="/numbers/1-27.htm">Numbers 1:27</a> Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Judah, were threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred.<a href="/numbers/10-14.htm">Numbers 10:14</a> In the first place went the standard of the camp of the children of Judah according to their armies: and over his host was Nahshon the son of Amminadab.<a href="/numbers/26-22.htm">Numbers 26:22</a> These are the families of Judah according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and sixteen thousand and five hundred.<a href="/hebrews/7-14.htm">Hebrews 7:14</a> For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.<a href="/hebrews/10-13.htm">Hebrews 10:13</a> From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.<a href="/revelation/5-5.htm">Revelation 5:5</a> 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.the neck.<a href="/joshua/10-24.htm">Joshua 10:24</a> And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them.<a href="/2_samuel/22-41.htm">2 Samuel 22:41</a> Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me.<a href="/ezekiel/21-29.htm">Ezekiel 21:29</a> Whiles they see vanity unto thee, whiles they divine a lie unto thee, to bring thee upon the necks of them that are slain, of the wicked, whose day is come, when their iniquity shall have an end.thy father's.<a href="/genesis/27-29.htm">Genesis 27:29</a> Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee.<a href="/genesis/37-7.htm">Genesis 37:7-10</a> For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf… <a href="/genesis/42-6.htm">Genesis 42:6</a> And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph's brethren came, and bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/48-22.htm">Bow</a> <a href="/genesis/48-16.htm">Children</a> <a href="/genesis/48-16.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/genesis/24-60.htm">Enemies</a> <a href="/genesis/49-4.htm">Father's</a> <a href="/genesis/48-22.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-27.htm">Haters</a> <a href="/genesis/46-28.htm">Judah</a> <a href="/genesis/46-29.htm">Neck</a> <a href="/genesis/29-35.htm">Praise</a> <a href="/genesis/47-27.htm">Themselves</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/49-24.htm">Bow</a> <a href="/genesis/49-32.htm">Children</a> <a href="/genesis/49-25.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/exodus/1-10.htm">Enemies</a> <a href="/genesis/49-25.htm">Father's</a> <a href="/genesis/49-24.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/exodus/32-25.htm">Haters</a> <a href="/genesis/49-9.htm">Judah</a> <a href="/exodus/13-13.htm">Neck</a> <a href="/exodus/15-2.htm">Praise</a> <a href="/genesis/49-10.htm">Themselves</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 49</div>1. <a href="/genesis/49-1.htm">Jacob calls his sons to bless them.</a> 3. <a href="/genesis/49-3.htm">Their blessing in particular.</a> 29. <a href="/genesis/49-29.htm">He charges them about his burial.</a> 33. <a href="/genesis/49-33.htm">He dies.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/49.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/49.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Judah, your brothers shall praise you. This phrase highlights Judah's preeminence among his brothers, a status that is both prophetic and significant in the biblical narrative. Judah's name itself means "praise," and this blessing from Jacob foreshadows the tribe's future leadership and prominence in Israel. Historically, the tribe of Judah became the most powerful and influential of the twelve tribes, producing kings like David and Solomon. This phrase also points to the Messianic prophecy, as Jesus Christ, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, is the ultimate fulfillment of this praise and leadership.Your hand shall be on the necks of your enemies; This imagery suggests victory and dominance over adversaries, indicating military success and authority. In ancient Near Eastern culture, placing one's hand on the neck of an enemy symbolized total conquest and subjugation. The tribe of Judah was known for its military prowess, and King David, a descendant of Judah, expanded Israel's territory and secured peace through his conquests. This phrase also has Messianic implications, as it points to the ultimate victory of Christ over sin and death, symbolizing spiritual triumph.your father’s sons shall bow down to you. This part of the blessing indicates leadership and authority within the family and the nation. It suggests that Judah will hold a position of honor and respect among his siblings, which is fulfilled as the tribe of Judah becomes the ruling tribe in Israel. The bowing down of the brothers can be seen as a type of the future kingship of David and the eternal kingship of Jesus Christ, who is worshiped by all nations. This phrase connects to Joseph's earlier dreams in Genesis, where his brothers bow to him, indicating a continuation and expansion of leadership within the family line.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a> The fourth son of Jacob and Leah, Judah is the forefather of the tribe of Judah, which becomes one of the most prominent tribes in Israel. His name means "praise," which is significant in this blessing. 2. <a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob</a> The father of Judah and the patriarch of the twelve tribes of Israel. In <a href="/bsb/genesis/49.htm">Genesis 49</a>, Jacob is on his deathbed, blessing his sons and prophesying their futures. 3. <a href="/topical/b/brothers.htm">Brothers</a> Refers to the other sons of Jacob, who represent the tribes of Israel. Judah's leadership and preeminence among them are highlighted in this verse. 4. <a href="/topical/e/enemies.htm">Enemies</a> The adversaries of Judah and his descendants. The imagery of having a hand on the neck of enemies suggests victory and dominance. 5. <a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a> The nation that will emerge from Jacob's descendants, with Judah playing a central role in its leadership and spiritual heritage.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/l/leadership_and_praise.htm">Leadership and Praise</a> Judah's name means "praise," and his leadership is affirmed by his brothers' praise. True leadership in a Christian context is marked by qualities that inspire respect and admiration. <a href="/topical/v/victory_over_adversaries.htm">Victory Over Adversaries</a> The imagery of having a hand on the neck of enemies symbolizes victory. Believers are reminded that through Christ, they have victory over spiritual adversaries. <a href="/topical/p/prophetic_fulfillment.htm">Prophetic Fulfillment</a> Judah's blessing is a prophecy that finds fulfillment in the lineage of David and ultimately in Jesus Christ. This teaches the importance of God's faithfulness to His promises. <a href="/topical/r/role_of_family_and_community.htm">Role of Family and Community</a> Judah's leadership is recognized by his family, emphasizing the importance of family and community in recognizing and supporting God-given roles and gifts. <a href="/topical/c/christ_as_the_fulfillment.htm">Christ as the Fulfillment</a> The prophecy points to Christ, the ultimate leader from the tribe of Judah, who brings spiritual victory and eternal praise.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_49.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 49</a> <a href="/q/jacob's_blessings_for_his_sons.htm">What are Jacob's prophetic blessings for his sons?</a> <a href="/q/bible's_view_on_family_conflict.htm">What Old Testament prophecies predict the Messiah?</a> <a href="/q/who_was_caleb_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Caleb in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'scepter_not_depart'_mean.htm">What does "scepter not depart from Judah" mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/49.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise.--Judah had received his name, Praise, because at his birth Leah had praised Jehovah (<a href="/genesis/29-35.htm" title="And she conceived again, and bore a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing.">Genesis 29:35</a>). It is now to have another justification in the noble history of his race, which, taking the foremost place by reason of the disqualification of Reuben, Simeon, and Levi, finally was destined to win freedom and empire for Israel. We have seen that "the excellency of power" ought to have belonged to Reuben; it now falls to Judah's lot, is to be attained by exploits that shall deserve the praise of all the tribes, and is to be exercised over not only the descendants of Leah, but all Jacob's children.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/49.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 8-12. - Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise - literally, Judah thou, will praise thee thy brethren, the word יְהוּדָה being a palpable play on יודוך (cf. <a href="/genesis/29-35.htm">Genesis 29:35</a>). Leah praised Jehovah for his birth, and his brethren should extol him for his nobility of character, which even in his acts of sin could not be entirely obscured (<a href="/genesis/37-26.htm">Genesis 37:26</a>; <a href="/genesis/38-26.htm">Genesis 38:26</a>), and certainly in his later days (<a href="/genesis/43-8.htm">Genesis 43:8</a>; <a href="/genesis/44-18.htm">Genesis 44:18-34</a>) shone out with undiminished luster. Thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies (i.e. putting his foes to flight, Judah should grasp them by the neck, a prediction remarkably accomplished in the victories of David and Solomon); thy father's children shall bow down before thee. Fulfilled in the elevation of the house of Judah to the throne, which owned as its subjects not simply Judah's mother's children, i.e. the tribes descended from Leah, but also his father's, i.e. all the tribes of Israel Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched down as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? By a bold and striking figure Judah is compared to a young lion, ripening into its full strength and ferocity, roaming through the forests in search of prey, repairing to his mountain den (ἐκ βλάστοῦ ἀνέβης, LXX.) when his booty has been devoured, and there in quiet majesty, full of dignified repose, lying down or crouching in his lair, and calmly resisting all attempts to disturb his leonine serenity. The effect of the picture is also heightened by the alternative image of a lioness, which is particularly fierce in defending its cubs, and which no one would venture to assail when so employed. The use of such figures to describe a strong and invincible hero is by no means infrequent in Scripture (vide <a href="/psalms/7-3.htm">Psalm 7:3</a>; <a href="/psalms/57-5.htm">Psalm 57:5</a>; <a href="/isaiah/5-29.htm">Isaiah 5:29</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/19-2.htm">Ezekiel 19:2-9</a>). The scepter shall not depart from Judah, - literally, a scepter (i.e. an emblem of regal command, hence dominion or sovereignty; ἅρχων, LXX., Theodotion; ἐξουσία, Symmachus) shall not depart from Judah - nor a lawgiver from between his feet - literally, and a legislator (sc. shall not depart)from between his feet; מְחֹקֵק, the poel part of חָקַק, to cut, to cut into, hence to decree, to ordain, having the sense of one who decrees; hence leader, as in Judges 5:44, dux (Vulgate), ἠγούμενος (LXX.), or lawgiver, as m <a href="/deuteronomy/33-21.htm">Deuteronomy 33:21</a> and <a href="/isaiah/33-22.htm">Isaiah 33:22</a> (Calvin, Dathius, Ainsworth, Rosenmüller, Murphy, Wordsworth, 'Speaker's Commentary'). In view, however, of what appears the requirement of the parallelism, מְחֹקֵק is regarded as not the person, but the thing, that determines or rules, and hence as equivalent to the ruler's staff, or marshal's baton (Gesenius, Furst, Keil, Lange, Bleek, Tuch, Kalisch, and others), in support of which is claimed the phrase "from between his feet," which is supposed to point to the Oriental custom, as depicted on the monuments, of monarchs, when sitting upon their thrones, resting their staves between their feet (cf. Agamemnon, 'Iliad,' 2:46, 101; Layard s 'Nineveh and Babylon,' p. 195). But the words may likewise signify "from among his descendants," "from among his children's children" (Onkelos), ἐκ τῶν μηρῶν αὐτοῦ (LXX.). Until Shiloh come. This difficult clause has been very variously rendered. 1. Taking Shiloh as the name of a place, viz., Shiloh in Ephraim (<a href="/joshua/18-1.htm">Joshua 18:1, 8, 9, 10</a>; <a href="/joshua/19-51.htm">Joshua 19:51</a>; <a href="/judges/18-31.htm">Judges 18:31</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/1-3.htm">1 Samuel 1:3, 9, 24</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/2-14.htm">1 Samuel 2:14</a>, etc.), the sense has been explained as meaning that the leadership of Judah over the other tribes of Israel should not cease until he came to Shiloh (Rabbi Lipmann, Teller, Eichhorn, Bleek, Furst, Tuch, Delitzsch). But though וַיָּבלֺא שִׁלה, and they came to Shiloh, a similar phrase, is found in <a href="/1_samuel/4-12.htm">1 Samuel 4:12</a>, yet against this interpretation maybe urged (1) the improbability of so obscure a locality, whose existence at the time is also problematical, being mentioned by Jacob, Zidon, the only other name occurring in the prophecy, having been, even before the days of Jacob, a city of renown (<a href="/genesis/10-19.htm">Genesis 10:19</a>); and (2) the inaccuracy of the historical statement which would thus be made, since the supremacy of Judah was in no way affected, and certainly not diminished, by the setting up of the tabernacle in Shiloh; to obviate which objection Kalisch proposes to read סא עַד כִּי "even if," or "even when," and to understand the prediction as intimating that even though a new empire should be established at Shiloh, as was eventually done, Judah should not forfeit her royal name and prerogative - only this sense of עַד כִּי is not clearly recognized by the best grammarians (Gesenius, Furst), and is not successfully supported by the passages referred to (<a href="/genesis/28-15.htm">Genesis 28:15</a>; <a href="/psalms/110-1.htm">Psalm 110:1</a>; <a href="/psalms/112-8.htm">Psalm 112:8</a>), in every one of which the received rendering "until" is distinctly preferable. 2. Regarding Shiloh as an abstract noun, from שָׁלָה to be safe, like גִּלה from גָּלָה, the import of the prophecy has been expressed as asserting that the scepter should not depart from Judah, either until he (Judah) should attain to rest (Hofmann, Kurtz), or until tranquility should come, i.e. until Judah s enemies should be subdued (Gesenius), an interpretation which Rosenmüller properly characterises as "languidum et paine frigidum." Hence - . . . <a href="/commentaries/genesis/49-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Judah, יְהוּדָ֗ה (yə·hū·ḏāh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3063.htm">Strong's 3063: </a> Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites your brothers אַחֶ֔יךָ (’a·ḥe·ḵā) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_251.htm">Strong's 251: </a> A brother, ) shall praise you. יוֹד֣וּךָ (yō·w·ḏū·ḵā) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3034.htm">Strong's 3034: </a> To throw, at, away, to revere, worship, to bemoan Your hand יָדְךָ֖ (yā·ḏə·ḵā) Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> A hand shall be on the necks בְּעֹ֣רֶף (bə·‘ō·rep̄) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6203.htm">Strong's 6203: </a> The nape, back of the neck, the back of your enemies; אֹיְבֶ֑יךָ (’ō·yə·ḇe·ḵā) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_341.htm">Strong's 341: </a> Hating, an adversary your father’s אָבִֽיךָ׃ (’ā·ḇî·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> Father sons בְּנֵ֥י (bə·nê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son shall bow down יִשְׁתַּחֲוּ֥וּ‪‬ (yiš·ta·ḥăw·wū) Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7812.htm">Strong's 7812: </a> To depress, prostrate to you. לְךָ֖ (lə·ḵā) Preposition | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/49-8.htm">Genesis 49:8 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/genesis/49-8.htm">Genesis 49:8 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/genesis/49-8.htm">Genesis 49:8 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/genesis/49-8.htm">Genesis 49:8 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/genesis/49-8.htm">Genesis 49:8 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/49-8.htm">Genesis 49:8 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/49-8.htm">Genesis 49:8 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/49-8.htm">Genesis 49:8 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/49-8.htm">Genesis 49:8 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/genesis/49-8.htm">Genesis 49:8 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/genesis/49-8.htm">OT Law: Genesis 49:8 Judah your brothers will praise you (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/49-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 49:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 49:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/49-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 49:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 49:9" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>