Did the Jews know that Prophethood would cease among them forever?

It is narrated in chapter 49 of the Book of Genesis that Prophet Jacob (PBUH), as he lay on his deathbed, gathered his twelve sons around him to hear his final words:

“49 ¹And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days. ² Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father” (Genesis 49:1-2). Jacob (PBUH) called his sons to inform them of what would happen to them in the future. When it was the turn of Judah—the forefather of the Prophets David, Solomon, and Jesus—Jacob (PBUH) said to him: “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” (Genesis 49:10). This verse, according to the general consensus among the People of the Book (i.e., the Jews and the Christians), is a highly significant prophecy concerning the coming of one who would inherit the Prophethood, the Law, the dominion, and the earth. Thus, the Israelites were well aware that Prophethood would eventually be taken away from them. The verse indicates that Prophet-kings would arise from Judah’s lineage—meaning that someone from his descendants would always be both a Prophet and a king, since “the sceptre” symbolizes kingship and “a lawgiver” signifies divine law. Indeed, David and Solomon were among Judah’s descendants, and both were Prophets and kings. However, Jacob (PBUH) foretold that the kingship and the Law would be taken away from Judah’s offspring when “Shiloh” comes, for “unto him shall the gathering of the people be.” Who, then, is this “Shiloh” to whom the people would submit?

Clearly, the Holy Spirit (i.e., divine revelation conveyed through the angel Gabriel) withdrew from the Israelites after Jesus (PBUH). Indeed, Jesus (PBUH), a descendant of Judah, was the last Prophet sent to them. Subsequently, Prophethood, the Book, and dominion were removed from them as a punishment. Allāh says: {Indeed, We have given the descendants of Abraham the Book and wisdom, along with great authority} (Qurʾān 4:54). This “great authority” refers to dominion over the world that a people attain by virtue of receiving the knowledge contained in the Book of Allāh and acting according to its dictates. According to Jacob (PBUH)’s prophecy, the Prophethood, the Law, and the dominion would be bestowed upon another individual from outside the tribe of Judah after the cessation of the Message among the Children of Israel. Clearly, this individual is not Jesus (PBUH), for he was a descendant of Judah. Moreover, contrary to Jacob (PBUH)’s prophecy, he (PBUH) was subject to the Roman Empire—nations did not surrender to him. This is evident from the incident when the Jews asked him (PBUH) whether it was right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar, and he replied, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s” (Matthew 22:21).

In conclusion, Jacob (PBUH) foretold that the nation of the final Prophet would inherit the Holy Land (i.e., Jerusalem) and that it would be granted authority over the greatest empires. Indeed, Muslims conquered the land of Judah during ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb’s reign, and the Levant, Iraq, and Persia embraced Islam. Unquestionably, history confirms that Jacob (PBUH)’s prophecy—which he delivered to his sons on his deathbed and which applies to none other than Prophet Muḥammad (PBUH) and his nation—was fulfilled.