Genesis 49:10

A lawgiver] RV 'the ruler's staff.' From between his feet] This most probably refers to the custom of planting the sceptre or staff of a prince or chieftain in the ground between his feet as he sat.

This verse has always been regarded by both Jews and Christians as a remarkable prophecy of the coming of the Messiah. The Versions generally read Sheloh instead of Shiloh, and the words until Shiloh come (AY), should then be, 'till he come whose it is' (RM). The Jewish Targums paraphrase thus: 'until the time when the King Messiah comes to whom it belongeth.' On the rendering given above, the whole verse foretells that Judah would retain authority until the advent of the rightful ruler, the Messiah, to whom all peoples would gather. And, broadly speaking, it may be said that the last traces of Jewish legislative power (as vested in the Sanhedrim) did not disappear until the coming of Christ and the destruction of Jerusalem, from which time His kingdom was set up among men. Gathering of the people] RV 'obedience of the peoples.' Note the worldwide rule implied.

11, 12. These verses dwell on the fertility of the land of Judah. There were famous vineyards at Hebron and Engedi, as well as pasture lands about Tekoa and Carmel.