Genesis 49:3
Reuben, my firstborn, you are my strength and the beginning of my sorrow: first in gifts, greater in authority.
Catholic Public Domain Version
In The King James Version
In Context
2Gather together and listen, O sons of Jacob. Listen to Israel, your father.
Cross References
Genesis 35:22And when he was living in that region, Reuben went out, and he slept with Bilhah the concubine of his father, which was not such a small matter as to be hidden from him. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve.
Genesis 46:8Now these are the names of the sons of Israel, who entered into Egypt, he with his children. The firstborn is Reuben.
Numbers 1:20Of Ruben, the firstborn of Israel, by their generations and families and houses, and the names of each head, of all who were of the male sex, from twenty years and above, capable of going to war,
Deuteronomy 21:17Instead, he shall acknowledge the son of the hated wife as the firstborn, and he shall give to him a double portion of all that he has. For he is the first among his children, and the rights of the firstborn are owed to him.
Deuteronomy 33:6Let Ruben live, and not die, and may he be small in number.”
1 Chronicles 5:1Also, there were the sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel. For indeed, he was his firstborn, but when he had violated the bed of his father, his right as firstborn was given to the sons of Joseph, the son of Israel, and he was not reputed as firstborn.
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 →