For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph's:)

But of the race of Juda, who was the strongest among his brethren, came the princes: but the first birthright was accounted to Joseph.)

For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birth-right was Joseph's:)

for Judah hath been mighty over his brother, and for leader above him, and the birthright is to Joseph.

Though Judah became stronger than his brothers, and from him came the ruler, the birthright was Joseph's:)

For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came he that is the prince; but the birthright was Joseph's-

Moreover, Judah, who was strongest among his brothers, from his stock leaders sprung up, but the right of firstborn was reputed to Joseph.

And of him came the chief ruler - This is, by both the Syriac and Arabic, understood of Christ: "From Judah the King Messiah shall proceed." The Chaldee paraphrases the verse thus: "Seeing Judah prevailed over his brethren, so the kingdom was taken from Reuben and given to Judah; and because he was strong, so was his kingdom. Levi also was godly, and did not transgress in the matter of the golden calf; therefore the high priesthood was taken away from the children of Reuben, and on their account from all the first-born, and given to Aaron and his sons. The custody of the sanctuary belonged to the Levites, but the birthright to Joseph." - T.

For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him [came] (b) 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, (Genesis 49:8), and because Christ would come from him.

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)

Judah - Not the person, but the tribe of Judah. Prevailed - Excelled the other tribes, especially in the following privilege.