Genesis 49:4

Boiling over like water, you shall not excel; 2 because you went up to your father’s bed, 2 then defiled it. He went up to my couch. 1

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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

3“Reuben [See, a son!], you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength; 2 excelling in dignity, and excelling in power. 1

5“Simeon [Hearing] and Levi [United with] are brothers. 2 Their swords are weapons of violence. 1

Read all of Genesis 49

Cross References

Genesis 46:8These are the names of the children of Israel [God prevails], who came into Egypt [Abode of slavery], Jacob [Supplanter] and his sons: Reuben [See, a son!], Jacob [Supplanter]’s firstborn.

Deuteronomy 5:21+ 5:21. Deut 5:21; Ex 20:17 [Heb Bible Deut 5:18; Ex 20:14] (#10.578): T. Not to covet / R. Not to covet and scheme to acquire another’s possession Consider: (Ex 20) orders the list as “house, wife, servant” whereas (Deut 5) orders the list “wife, house, field, servant”. + 5:21. Deut 5:21; Ex 20:17 [Heb Bible Deut 5:18; Ex 20:14] (#10.579): T. Not to covet kol ·anything, everything, the whole· that belongs to your neighbor / R. Not to desire another’s possession T. Note: The Hebrew word kol means ·anything, everything, the whole· / T. Note: Exodus uses the word “covet” whereas Deuteronomy used “desire” and “covet” “You shall not covet + 5:21. Quoted in Rom 7:7, 13:9 your neighbor’s wife. Neither shall you desire your neighbor’s house, his field, or his male servant, or his female servant, his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your wrote neighbor’s.” (A:5, S:4)

Deuteronomy 33:6“Let Reuben [See, a son!] live, and not die; 2 Nor let his men be few.”

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 →

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