Genesis 49:3

Translations

Modern

Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power.

Traditional

Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:

Literal

Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the first of my strength, exceeding in rank, and exceeding in power.

Latin

Ruben, primogenitus meus, tu fortitudo mea, et principium doloris mei; prior in donis, major in imperio.

Interlinear

Hebrew

English

Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power.

Notes

Genesis 49:3–4

Uncontrolled as the waters: As the firstborn, Reuben should have led the family. But he acted without control, like water that boils or flows wildly (for example, 35:22). Because of this, Jacob said that Reuben would not succeed as a leader (see 37:21–22, 29; 42:22, 37–38; compare Judges 5:15–16; 1 Chronicles 5:1–2).

Genesis 49:1–28

By faith, and as one who speaks for God, Jacob looked ahead to Israel’s future in the land and beyond to a greater future still.

At the end of the time of the patriarchs (the early fathers of Israel), he spoke about what would happen to each tribe. He did this as he considered each of his sons, one by one, just as Noah had done earlier (compare 9:25–27).

The character and actions of each ancestor affected the lives of their descendants (Exodus 20:5–6; 34:6–7; Numbers 14:18; Jeremiah 32:18).

Theme notes and profiles

Egypt Jacob Blessing Family, Community, and Sexual Sin Symbolic Numbers

Related verses

Psalm 78:51
He struck all the firstborn of Egypt, the virility in the tents of Ham.
Deuteronomy 21:17
Instead, he must acknowledge the firstborn, the son of his unloved wife, by giving him a double portion of all that he has. For that son is the firstfruits of his father’s strength; the right of the firstborn belongs to him.
Psalm 105:36
Then He struck all the firstborn in their land, the firstfruits of all their vigor.
Genesis 29:32
And Leah conceived and gave birth to a son, and she named him Reuben, for she said, “The LORD has seen my affliction. Surely my husband will love me now.”
Genesis 48:18
“Not so, my father!” Joseph said. “This one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.”
1 Chronicles 5:3
The sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.
Numbers 1:20
From the sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel, according to the records of their clans and families, counting one by one the names of every male twenty years of age or older who could serve in the army,
1 Chronicles 5:1
These were the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. Though he was the firstborn, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, because Reuben defiled his father’s bed. So he is not reckoned according to birthright.
1 Chronicles 2:1
These were the sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun,
Genesis 46:8
Now these are the names of the sons of Israel (Jacob and his descendants) who went to Egypt: Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn.
Numbers 26:5
Reuben was the firstborn of Israel. These were the descendants of Reuben: The Hanochite clan from Hanoch, the Palluite clan from Pallu,

People

Reuben: Firstborn son of Jacob and Leah

Glossary

Birthright Book of Exodus Concubinage, Concubines Family Life and Relations Firstborn Genesis, Book of Inheritance Jacob Patriarchs, Period of the Poetry, Biblical Reuben (Person) Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs

Topics

Character: Instability: Reuben Children: Male: Received the Blessing of Their Father Before his Death Death: Scenes of Death of Jacob Firstborn: Birthright of The: Forfeited by Reuben Instability: General Scriptures Concerning Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Upon Reuben Parents: Paternal Blessings of Jacob Parents: Paternal Reproaches Patriarchal Government: Exercised in Blessing and Cursing Their Children Reuben: Jacob's Prophetic Benediction Upon The First Born: Privileges of Could be Forfeited by Misconduct The First Born: The Beginning of Strength and Excellency of Power The Tribes of Israel: Predictions Respecting Each of

Genesis 49:3

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