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 and Arabic versions read,
"out of Judah should go forth the King Messiah:''
but the birthright [was] Joseph's or "though" p it was; yet Judah having the dominion and dignity, that tribe is first genealogized.
p Licet, ibid. (Tigurine version)