Bible Strands
Genesis 49:10
The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes and the allegiance of the nations is his.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jacob, on his deathbed, addresses his sons in turn; this is the blessing pronounced over Judah, the fourth son.
The words — שֵׁבֶט (shevet) carries both "scepter" and "tribe" in Hebrew, so the line binds political authority to a specific family line. שִׁלֹה (Shiloh) is the pivot: a title or name whose referent the text does not define.
The thread — Balaam's oracle echoes the same scepter imagery in Numbers 24:17; Luke 1:32 identifies the throne's heir as David's son; Psalms 60:7 claims Judah as God's own scepter.
Why it lands — The verse is an "until" statement: it holds a promise in suspension and demands that the reader track what comes after, not what is present. It refuses to let the current order be the final word.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.
Cross-references
- Numbers 24:17 I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come forth from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab and strike down all the sons of Sheth.
- Luke 1:32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David,
- Psalms 60:7 Gilead is Mine, and Manasseh is Mine; Ephraim is My helmet, Judah is My scepter.
- Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
- Isaiah 33:22 For the LORD is our Judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our King. It is He who will save us.
- Jeremiah 23:5 Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He will reign wisely as King and will administer justice and righteousness in the land.
- Isaiah 42:1 “Here is My Servant, whom I uphold, My Chosen One, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will bring justice to the nations.
- Isaiah 11:1 Then a shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit.
- Jeremiah 30:21 Their leader will be one of their own, and their ruler will arise from their midst. And I will bring him near, and he will approach Me, for who would dare on his own to approach Me?” declares the LORD.
- Zechariah 10:11 They will pass through the sea of distress and strike the waves of the sea; all the depths of the Nile will dry up. The pride of Assyria will be brought down, and the scepter of Egypt will depart.