Genesis 49:3

Then Jacob said, “Reuben, you are my oldest son. You were born first. You were born at that time when I was a strong young man. You were the most important and the most powerful of all my sons.

Plain English Version

In The King James Version

Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:

In Context

2Come near to me, my sons. I am your father Jacob, and my other name is Israel. Listen to me.”

4But then you went and did whatever you wanted, just like the wild water in the sea. You took one of my wives, and you slept with her, like a man sleeps with his wife. That was a wrong and dirty thing you did. You made me really shamed. So you will not be my most important son any more.”

Read all of Genesis 49

Cross References

Genesis 35:22While they were living there, Jacob’s son Reuben went to the woman called Bilhah. Bilhah worked for Jacob’s family, and she was like another wife for Jacob. And Reuben slept with Bilhah, like a man sleeps with his wife. Then somebody told Jacob that Reuben did that bad thing. These are the names of Jacob’s 12 sons.

Genesis 46:8These are the names of Jacob’s kids and grand-kids. All this mob went to Egypt country with Jacob. Jacob and Leah’s oldest son was Reuben.

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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