Genesis 49:9 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Judah is a lion's whelp— The common interpretation given to this verse is, that it is an allegorical repetition, or illustration by similes of the former: the warlike Judah being compared to a lion, and his enemies to a lion's prey: in which sense a gradation is observed, Judah being compared first to a lion's whelp, then to a grown lion, then to a lioness (for so the original of the word, rendered an old lion, signifies; see Ezekiel 19:2-3.) a lioness being reckoned the fiercest and most invincible of all. Thus the beginning, increase, and full growth of the power of this tribe is expressed. Balaam uses the same similitudes, Numbers 23:24 and Numbers 24:9. to denote high-spirited valour and magnanimity; and these passages seem fully explicative of each other. From the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he speaks as if he saw Judah returning in triumph with the spoils of his enemies, alluding to the manner of lions, who return up to the mountains, after they have satiated themselves in the vallies. The next words, he stooped down, he couched as a grown lion, allude also to the manner of lions couching down to rest in their dens, after they have devoured their prey, Psalms 104:21-22. and very aptly express Judah's dwelling fearless and secure, after their many victories, 1 Kings 4:25 as the last clause, who shall rouse him up? in a very elevated manner intimates, that it would be as dangerous for an enemy to disturb the repose of this warlike tribe, as it would be to provoke the rage of a slumbering lion. This part of the prophecy, thus explained, was verified in the many valiant worthies of the tribe of Judah, but more particularly in HIM, who is called the Lion of the tribe of Judah, and who will put all enemies under his feet, Revelation 5:5. Indeed they always distinguished themselves by their valour, as a tribe. The Chaldee paraphrases this verse, he shall have dominion in the beginning, and in the end; the kingdom of the house of Judah shall be magnified: for from the judgment of death, thou hast rid thy soul, O my son! he shall rest and dwell in strength as a lion, as a lioness: there shall be no kingdom which shall stir him.