Genesis 49:4

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

New Heart English Bible

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, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength;excelling in dignity, and excelling in power.

5"Simeon and Levi are brothers.Their swords are weapons of violence.

Read all of Genesis 49

Cross References

Genesis 46:8These are the names of the children of Israel, who came into Egypt, Jacob and his sons: Reuben, Jacob's firstborn.

Deuteronomy 5:21"Neither shall you covet your neighbor's wife; neither shall you covet your neighbor's house, his field, or his male servant, or his female servant, his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's."

Deuteronomy 33:6"Let Reuben live, and not die;Nor let his men be few."

1 Corinthians 5:1It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even among the Gentiles, that one has his father's wife.

2 Peter 2:14having eyes full of adultery, and who cannot cease from sin; enticing unsettled souls; having a heart trained in greed; children of cursing;

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