Genesis 49:9
New International Version
You are a lion’s cub, Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness—who dares to rouse him?

New Living Translation
Judah, my son, is a young lion that has finished eating its prey. Like a lion he crouches and lies down; like a lioness—who dares to rouse him?

English Standard Version
Judah is a lion’s cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him?

Berean Standard Bible
Judah is a young lion—my son, you return from the prey. Like a lion he crouches and lies down; like a lioness, who dares to rouse him?

King James Bible
Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?

New King James Version
Judah is a lion’s whelp; From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He bows down, he lies down as a lion; And as a lion, who shall rouse him?

New American Standard Bible
“Judah is a lion’s cub; From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He crouches, he lies down as a lion, And as a lion, who dares to stir him up?

NASB 1995
“Judah is a lion’s whelp; From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He couches, he lies down as a lion, And as a lion, who dares rouse him up?

NASB 1977
“Judah is a lion’s whelp; From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He couches, he lies down as a lion, And as a lion, who dares rouse him up?

Legacy Standard Bible
Judah is a lion’s whelp; From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He crouches, he lies down as a lion, And as a lioness, who dares rouse him up?

Amplified Bible
“Judah, a lion’s cub; With the prey, my son, you have gone high up [the mountain]. He stooped down, he crouched like a lion, And like a lion—who dares rouse him?

Christian Standard Bible
Judah is a young lion — my son, you return from the kill. He crouches; he lies down like a lion or a lioness—who dares to rouse him?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Judah is a young lion— my son, you return from the kill. He crouches; he lies down like a lion or a lioness—who dares to rouse him?

American Standard Version
Judah is a lion's whelp; From the prey, my son, thou art gone up: He stooped down, he couched as a lion, And as a lioness; who shall rouse him up?

Contemporary English Version
My son, you are a lion ready to eat your victim! You are terribly fierce; no one will bother you.

English Revised Version
Judah is a lion's whelp; From the prey, my son, thou art gone up: He stooped down, he couched as a lion, And as a lioness; who shall rouse him up?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Judah, you are a lion cub. You have come back from the kill, my son. He lies down and rests like a lion. He is like a lioness. Who dares to disturb him?

Good News Translation
Judah is like a lion, Killing his victim and returning to his den, Stretching out and lying down. No one dares disturb him.

International Standard Version
Judah is a lion cub. My son, you have gone up from the prey. Crouching like a lion, he lies down, Like a lioness, who would dare rouse him?

Majority Standard Bible
Judah is a young lion?my son, you return from the prey. Like a lion he crouches and lies down; like a lioness, who dares to rouse him?

NET Bible
You are a lion's cub, Judah, from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He crouches and lies down like a lion; like a lioness--who will rouse him?

New Heart English Bible
Judah is a lion?s cub. From the prey, my son, you rise up. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, as a lioness. Who will rouse him up?

Webster's Bible Translation
Judah is a lion's whelp; from the prey, my son, thou hast gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion: who shall rouse him up?

World English Bible
Judah is a lion’s cub. From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down, he crouched as a lion, as a lioness. Who will rouse him up?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
A lion’s whelp [is] Judah, "" For prey, my son, you have gone up; He has bent, he has crouched as a lion, "" And as a lioness; who causes him to arise?

Young's Literal Translation
A lion's whelp is Judah, For prey, my son, thou hast gone up; He hath bent, he hath crouched as a lion, And as a lioness; who causeth him to arise?

Smith's Literal Translation
Judah, a lion's whelp; from the green leaf, my son, thou didst go up: bending, lying down, as a lion, and as a lioness: who shall raise him up?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Juda is a lion's whelp: to the prey, my son, thou art gone up: resting thou hast couched as a lion, and as a lioness, who shall rouse him?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Judah is a lion’s young. You have gone up to the prey, my son. While resting, you have lain like a lion. And just like a lioness, who would rouse him?

New American Bible
Judah is a lion’s cub, you have grown up on prey, my son. He crouches, lies down like a lion, like a lioness—who would dare rouse him?

New Revised Standard Version
Judah is a lion’s whelp; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He crouches down, he stretches out like a lion, like a lioness—who dares rouse him up?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Judah is a lion's whelp; from the prey, my son, you are gone up; he stooped down, he crouched as a lion, and as a young lion; who shall rouse him up?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Yehuda is the whelp of a lion; you went up from the killed prey, my son; he knelt and crouched as a lion and like a whelp of a lion, and who is it that will raise him up?
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Judah is a lion's whelp; From the prey, my son, thou art gone up. He stooped down, he couched as a lion, And as a lioness; who shall rouse him up?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Juda is a lion's whelp: from the tender plant, my son, thou art gone up, having couched thou liest as a lion, and as a whelp; who shall stir him up?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jacob Blesses His Sons
8Judah, your brothers shall praise you. Your hand shall be on the necks of your enemies; your father’s sons shall bow down to you. 9Judah is a young lion— my son, you return from the prey. Like a lion he crouches and lies down; like a lioness, who dares to rouse him? 10The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes and the allegiance of the nations is his.…

Cross References
Revelation 5:5
Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

Numbers 24:9
He crouches, he lies down like a lion, like a lioness—who dares to rouse him? Blessed are those who bless you and cursed are those who curse you.”

Hosea 5:14
For I am like a lion to Ephraim and like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear them to pieces and then go away. I will carry them off where no one can rescue them.

Amos 3:8
The lion has roared—who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken—who will not prophesy?

Isaiah 31:4
For this is what the LORD has said to me: “Like a lion roaring or a young lion over its prey—and though a band of shepherds is called out against it, it is not terrified by their shouting or subdued by their clamor—so the LORD of Hosts will come down to do battle on Mount Zion and its heights.

Ezekiel 19:5-7
When she saw that she had waited in vain, that her hope was lost, she took another of her cubs and made him a young lion. / He prowled among the lions, and became a young lion. After learning to tear his prey, he devoured men. / He broke down their strongholds and devastated their cities. The land and everything in it shuddered at the sound of his roaring.

Micah 5:8
Then the remnant of Jacob will be among the nations, in the midst of many peoples, like a lion among the beasts of the forest, like a young lion among flocks of sheep, which tramples and tears as it passes through, with no one to rescue them.

1 Peter 5:8
Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Isaiah 11:1-10
Then a shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit. / The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD. / And He will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what His eyes see, and He will not decide by what His ears hear, ...

Jeremiah 50:44
Behold, one will come up like a lion from the thickets of the Jordan to the watered pasture. For in an instant I will chase Babylon from her land. Who is the chosen one I will appoint for this? For who is like Me, and who can challenge Me? What shepherd can stand against Me?”

2 Samuel 17:10
Then even the most valiant soldier with the heart of a lion will melt with fear, because all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man who has valiant men with him.

Proverbs 28:1
The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

Revelation 22:16
“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star.”

Matthew 2:6
‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of My people Israel.’”

Hebrews 7:14
For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, a tribe as to which Moses said nothing about priests.


Treasury of Scripture

Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, you are gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?

a lion's.

Hosea 5:4,14
They will not frame their doings to turn unto their God: for the spirit of whoredoms is in the midst of them, and they have not known the LORD…

1 Corinthians 15:24
Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

Revelation 5:5
And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

he stooped.

Numbers 23:24
Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain.

Numbers 24:9
He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee.

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Broken Couched Couches Crouched Crouches Cub Dares Full Great Judah Lies Lion's Meat Prey Rest Rouse Sleep Stooped Whelp Young
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Broken Couched Couches Crouched Crouches Cub Dares Full Great Judah Lies Lion's Meat Prey Rest Rouse Sleep Stooped Whelp Young
Genesis 49
1. Jacob calls his sons to bless them.
3. Their blessing in particular.
29. He charges them about his burial.
33. He dies.














Judah is a young lion—
The imagery of a lion is significant in biblical literature, symbolizing strength, courage, and leadership. In the context of Genesis 49, Jacob is blessing his sons, and Judah is singled out for a special role. The lion metaphor suggests Judah's future dominance and royal lineage, which is later fulfilled in the Davidic line and ultimately in Jesus Christ, referred to as the "Lion of the tribe of Judah" in Revelation 5:5. The lion also represents the tribe's military prowess and leadership among the tribes of Israel.

my son, you return from the prey.
This phrase indicates a victorious return, suggesting that Judah will be successful in his endeavors, much like a lion returning from a hunt. Historically, the tribe of Judah was known for its military successes and leadership in Israel. The imagery of returning from prey also foreshadows the victories of King David, a descendant of Judah, who expanded Israel's territory and established Jerusalem as its capital. This victorious return can also be seen as a type of Christ's victory over sin and death.

Like a lion he crouches and lies down;
The posture of crouching and lying down implies a state of rest and security after a successful hunt. It suggests that Judah will enjoy peace and stability, a theme that resonates with the reign of Solomon, David's son, who brought peace and prosperity to Israel. This imagery also points to the ultimate peace brought by Jesus Christ, who offers spiritual rest to believers. The lion's rest signifies a period of consolidation and strength, where Judah's leadership is unchallenged.

like a lioness, who dares to rouse him?
The mention of a lioness emphasizes the protective and fierce nature of Judah's leadership. In the animal kingdom, lionesses are known for their role in hunting and protecting the pride, highlighting Judah's role in safeguarding the nation of Israel. This phrase underscores the idea that Judah's position will be unassailable and respected by others. It also alludes to the future messianic reign of Christ, where His authority and kingdom will be unchallenged and eternal, as prophesied in Isaiah 11:6-9.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Judah
The fourth son of Jacob and Leah, Judah is the forefather of the tribe of Judah, which plays a significant role in Israel's history. In this verse, Jacob blesses Judah with a prophecy that highlights his strength and leadership.

2. Jacob
The patriarch of the Israelites, Jacob is delivering blessings and prophecies to his sons in Genesis 49. His words to Judah are particularly significant as they foreshadow the future prominence of Judah's lineage.

3. Lion Imagery
The lion is a symbol of strength, courage, and leadership. In ancient Near Eastern culture, lions were often associated with royalty and power, which is fitting for the tribe of Judah.
Teaching Points
Symbol of Leadership
Judah's depiction as a lion symbolizes leadership and authority. Believers are called to lead with integrity and strength, following the example of Christ, the ultimate Lion of Judah.

Courage in Faith
Just as a lion is fearless, Christians are encouraged to be bold in their faith, standing firm in the face of challenges and opposition.

Rest and Trust
The imagery of the lion lying down suggests a sense of peace and security. Believers can find rest in God's promises, trusting in His sovereignty and protection.

Heritage and Legacy
Judah's blessing reminds us of the importance of leaving a godly legacy. Our actions and faith can impact future generations, just as Judah's lineage led to the Messiah.

Fulfillment in Christ
The prophecy of Judah finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Recognizing Christ as the Lion of Judah encourages believers to place their hope and trust in Him as the fulfillment of God's promises.(9) Judah is a lion's whelp.--We have seen that the sons of Jacob had each his signet, and that Judah's was so large as to be worn by him attached to a cord fastened round his neck (Genesis 38:18). Probably his emblem was a lion; that of Zebulun a ship; that of Issachar an ass; that of Dan an adder, and so on. Using then his self-chosen emblem, Jacob compares him, first, to a "lion's whelp," full of activity and enterprise, and which, after feasting upon its prey, goes up to its mountain lair, calm and fearless in the consciousness of its strength. But as Judah is a young lion in his activity and fearlessness, so is he "a lion" full-grown and majestic in his repose, which Jacob's words literally describe. For the "stooping down" is the bending of the limbs together before the lion couches, that is, lies down in his den.

As an old lion.--Heb., as a lioness, the female being said to be more fierce than the male, and to resent more angrily any disturbance of its rest.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Judah
יְהוּדָ֔ה (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

is a young
גּ֤וּר (gūr)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1482: A cub, of the lion

lion—
אַרְיֵה֙ (’ar·yêh)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 738: A lion

my son,
בְּנִ֣י (bə·nî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1121: A son

you return
עָלִ֑יתָ (‘ā·lî·ṯā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

from the prey.
מִטֶּ֖רֶף (miṭ·ṭe·rep̄)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2964: Something torn, a fragment, a fresh leaf, prey, food

Like a lion
כְּאַרְיֵ֛ה (kə·’ar·yêh)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 738: A lion

he crouches
כָּרַ֨ע (kā·ra‘)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3766: To bend the knee, to sink, to prostrate

[and] lies down;
רָבַ֧ץ (rā·ḇaṣ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7257: To crouch, be implication, to recline, repose, brood, lurk, imbed

like a lioness,
וּכְלָבִ֖יא (ū·ḵə·lā·ḇî)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3833: To roar, a lion,

who
מִ֥י (mî)
Interrogative
Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix

dares to rouse him?
יְקִימֶֽנּוּ׃ (yə·qî·men·nū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand


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OT Law: Genesis 49:9 Judah is a lion's cub (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 49:8
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