Genesis 49:3
Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, 1 and the beginning of my strength, 1 outstanding in dignity, and outstanding in power. 1
Unlocked Literal Bible
In The King James Version
In Context
2Assemble yourselves and listen, you sons of Jacob. 1 Listen to Israel, your father. 1
Cross References
Genesis 35:22While Israel was living in that land, Reuben slept with Bilhah his father's concubine, and Israel heard of it. Now Jacob had twelve sons.
Genesis 46:8These were the names of the children of Israel who came to Egypt: Jacob and his sons, Reuben, Jacob's firstborn;
Numbers 1:20From the descendants of Reuben, Israel's firstborn, were counted all the names of each and every man twenty years old or older able to go to war, from the records of their ancestor's clans and families.
Deuteronomy 21:17Instead, he must acknowledge the firstborn, the son of the hated wife, by giving him a double portion of all that he possesses; for that son is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn belongs to him.
Deuteronomy 33:6Let Reuben live and not die, 1 but may his men be few.
1 Chronicles 5:1The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel—now Reuben was Israel's firstborn, but his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel because Reuben had defiled his father's couch. So he is not recorded as being the oldest son.
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 →