Genesis 49:9 Commentary and Bible Study

That doesn't mean a lion cub, which may be the idea suggested to our minds; it means a young lion in its early prime – ‘Judah is a lion’s whelp.’ Does that apply to the whole tribe? It applies most specifically to Messiah when he comes. He is the one who is identified as the lion from the tribe of Judah. Judah was part of the kingdom of Judah for two hundred years, and then for two hundred and fifty years, it was the only kingdom. In New Testament times, ninety percent of Jews were Judaean – hence called Jews; Christ too was from the tribe of Judah. ‘From the prey, my son, thou art gone up.’ This pictures a beast with uncontested supremacy. It has killed and it has eaten, and now it leisurely rises from its meal to go and rest where it pleases. From the tribe of Judah will come, ultimately, the Messiah, who conquers for God's people and purchases salvation. ‘He stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion [not an infirm old lion, but a mature lion in his prime] who shall rouse him up?’ So Messiah ultimately is represented as strong to secure the salvation of the people, invincible as a mature young lion, in peek condition, who takes up his position and cannot be moved from it; a lion that one would be afraid to disturb and arouse from his sleep. That is a prophecy of Judah's future, ultimately, in Christ.