Genesis 49:3
Reuben, you are my oldest son, the first-fruit of my strength, first in pride and first in power:
Bible in Basic English
In The King James Version
In Context
2Come near, O sons of Jacob, and give ear to the words of Israel your father.
Cross References
Genesis 35:22Now while they were living in that country, Reuben had connection with Bilhah, his father's servant-woman: and Israel had news of it.
Genesis 46:8And these are the names of the children of Israel who came into Egypt, even Jacob and all his sons: Reuben, Jacob's oldest son;
Numbers 1:20The generations of the sons of Reuben, the oldest son of Israel, were numbered by their families and their fathers' houses, every male of twenty years old and over, who was able to go to war;
Deuteronomy 21:17But he is to give his first son his birthright, and twice as great a part of his property: for he is the first-fruits of his strength and the right of the first son is his.
Deuteronomy 33:6Let life not death be Reuben's, let not the number of his men be small.
1 Chronicles 5:1And the sons of Reuben, the oldest son of Israel, (for he was the oldest son, but, because he made his father's bride-bed unclean, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph, the son of Israel; but he is not to be given the place of the oldest.
Matthew Henry on Genesis 49:2-5
Jacob's Prophecy Concerning His Sons. ( b. c. 1689.) 1 And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befal you in the last days. 2 Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father. 3 Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power: 4 Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father's bed; then… Read the whole commentary →