Genesis 49:4

Boiling over like water, you will not be first, For you climbed into my concubine’s the bed, you defiled your father’s couch.

Open English Bible (UK)

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

3Reuben you are my firstborn, my strength and the first-fruit of my manhood. First in dignity and strength.

5Simeon and Levi are akin, weapons of violence are their swords. I will not enter into their council,

Read all of Genesis 49

Cross References

Genesis 46:8Now these are the names of the Israelites, Jacob and his family, who came to Egypt. Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn,

1 Corinthians 5:1There is a wide-spread report respecting a case of immorality among you, and that, too, of a kind that does not occur even among the Gentiles – a man, I hear, is living with his father’s wife!

2 Peter 2:14They have eyes only for adulteresses, eyes never tired of sin; they entice weak souls; their minds are trained to covet; they live under a curse.

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

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