Revelation 5:5
“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.”
King James Version
The elder's announcement — the Lion of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the sealed scroll: the conquering Messiah.
Fulfillment References
Genesis 49:9-10 Isaiah 11:1,10 Revelation 22:16 Hebrews 7:14
How Traditions Read This Prophecy
Apostolic (Oneness) PentecostalThe Lion of Judah who 'prevailed' is Jesus — the one God's conquering King from David's line.
Jewish'Lion of Judah' (Gen. 49:9) and 'Root of David' (Isa. 11:1,10) are royal-Messianic titles of the conquering deliverer.
CatholicChrist the Lion-King of Judah who conquers and reveals God's purposes.
ProtestantThe Lion of Judah (Gen. 49) and Root of David (Isa. 11) — the Messiah who alone is worthy to open history's scroll.
OrthodoxChrist the royal Lion of Judah, victorious.
DispensationalThe Messiah of Judah's line who takes the scroll to bring in the kingdom.
AcademicThe titles combine Genesis 49:9-10 and Isaiah 11:1,10 — the messianic 'Lion' and 'Root'; cf. 22:16.
Scholarship & Sources
The dual title fuses Genesis 49:9-10 (the Lion of Judah, Shiloh) and Isaiah 11:1,10 (the Root/Branch of Jesse); both were established messianic texts in Second-Temple Judaism (cf. Qumran).
Open the full interactive entry →Cross-references, Hebrew/Greek, Dead Sea Scrolls notes, study tools and multi-tradition analysis in the interactive explorer.
Bible Prophecy Explorer · based on J. Barton Payne’s Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy catalogue · an openly Apostolic (Oneness) Pentecostal study resource — all traditions presented fairly. Pastor: C. Myles Young, PhD · Bishop: Nathaniel J. Wilson, Ed.D.