Genesis 49:8-12

GENESIS—NOTE ON Genesis 49:8 As with the other blessings, Jacob sees the descendants of Judah in the light of Judah’s own personal qualities. The nations will bring “tribute” (money or other gifts) and pledge their obedience to one of his descendants. Jacob thus predicts the great empire of David, and the greater kingdom of Jesus Christ, the second David. Abraham’s blessing will come to the Gentiles as Christ includes them in his kingdom. To emphasize Judah’s future royal status, he is compared to a lion, and one of his descendants will hold a scepter and a ruler’s staff. If the phrase until tribute comes to him is taken to mean “until Shiloh comes” (see esv footnote), then it could refer to the departure of the ark of the covenant from Shiloh, when the tribe of Judah (in the person of David) replaced the tribe of Ephraim as Israel’s leading tribe (see Psalms 78:59, which summarizes the events in 1–2 Samuel). The royal line of Judah culminates with Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:1).