And though Judah prevailed over his brothers and a ruler came from him, the birthright belonged to Joseph.
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.
Commenting on 1 Chronicles 5:1-17
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...
For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him [came] the chief ruler; but the birthright [was] Joseph's:) (b) That is, he was the chiefest of all the tribes according to Jacob's prophecy, , and because Christ would come from him.