Genesis 49:4

Thou art poured out as water, grow thou not: because thou wentest up to thy father's bed, and didst defile his couch.

Douay-Rheims 1899

In The King James Version

Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch.

In Context

3Ruben, my firstborn, thou art my strength, and the beginning of my sorrow: excelling in gifts, greater in command.

5Simeon and Levi brethren: vessels of iniquity, waging war.

Read all of Genesis 49

Cross References

Genesis 46:8And these are the names of the children of Israel, that entered into Egypt, he and his children. His firstborn Ruben,

Deuteronomy 5:21Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife: nor his house, nor his field, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is his.

Deuteronomy 33:6Let Ruben live, and not die, and be he small in number.

1 Corinthians 5:1It is absolutely heard, that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as the like is not among the heathens; that one should have his father's wife.

2 Peter 2:14Having eyes full of adultery and of sin that ceaseth not: alluring unstable souls, having their heart exercised with covetousness, children of malediction:

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 →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Genesis 49:4