Translations
Modern
Let Reuben live and not die, nor his men be few.”
Traditional
Let Reuben live, and not die; and let not his men be few.
Literal
Let Reuben live and not die, and let his men be numerable.”
Latin
Vivat Ruben, et non moriatur, et sit parvus in numero.
Original
Hebrew
English
Let Reuben live and not die, nor his men be few.”
Notes
Reuben was Jacob’s oldest son by Leah (see Genesis 29:32). His sin against his father might explain why his tribe did not become very important (Genesis 35:22; 49:3–4).
On the day before he died, Jacob blessed his 12 sons (Genesis 49:1–28). Many years later, Moses also blessed these same sons. By that time, they had become large and powerful tribes. Moses, like Jacob, spoke as a founding father of the nation.
Theme notes and profiles
People
Reuben: Firstborn son of Jacob and Leah
Glossary
Deuteronomy, Book of Jeshurun Moses Poetry, Biblical Reuben, Tribe of Song of Moses
Topics
Death: Scenes of Death of Moses Intercession: Additional Instances of for Israel the Tribe of Reuben: Predictions Respecting The Tribes of Israel: Predictions Respecting Each of