Verse 1

Reuben’s Descendants The sons of Reuben, Israel’s firstborn–(Now he was the firstborn, but when he defiled his father’s bed, his rights as firstborn were given to the sons of Joseph, Israel’s son. So Reuben is not listed as firstborn in the genealogical records.

Referenced Verses

  • Gen 29:32 : 32 So Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Reuben, for she said,“The LORD has looked with pity on my oppressed condition. Surely my husband will love me now.”
  • Gen 35:22 : 22 While Israel was living in that land, Reuben went to bed with Bilhah, his father’s concubine, and Israel heard about it.Jacob had twelve sons:
  • Gen 48:15-22 : 15 Then he blessed Joseph and said,“May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked– the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day, 16 the Angel who has protected me from all harm– bless these boys. May my name be named in them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac. May they grow into a multitude on the earth.” 17 When Joseph saw that his father placed his right hand on Ephraim’s head, it displeased him. So he took his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. 18 Joseph said to his father,“Not so, my father, for this is the firstborn. Put your right hand on his head.” 19 But his father refused and said,“I know, my son, I know. He too will become a nation and he too will become great. In spite of this, his younger brother will be even greater and his descendants will become a multitude of nations.” 20 So he blessed them that day, saying,“By you will Israel bless, saying,‘May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.’”So he put Ephraim before Manasseh. 21 Then Israel said to Joseph,“I am about to die, but God will be with you and will bring you back to the land of your fathers. 22 As one who is above your brothers, I give to you the mountain slope, which I took from the Amorites with my sword and my bow.”
  • Gen 49:3-4 : 3 Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might and the beginning of my strength, outstanding in dignity, outstanding in power. 4 You are destructive like water and will not excel, for you got on your father’s bed, then you defiled it– he got on my couch!
  • 1 Chr 2:1 : 1 Israel’s Descendants These were the sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah; Issachar and Zebulun;
  • 1 Chr 26:10 : 10 Hosah, one of the descendants of Merari, had sons:The firstborn Shimri(he was not actually the firstborn, but his father gave him that status),
  • 1 Cor 5:1 : 1 Church Discipline It is actually reported that sexual immorality exists among you, the kind of immorality that is not permitted even among the Gentiles, so that someone is cohabiting with his father’s wife.
  • Col 1:15 : 15 The Supremacy of Christ He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation,
  • Gen 46:8 : 8 These are the names of the sons of Israel who went to Egypt– Jacob and his sons: Reuben, the firstborn of Jacob.
  • Gen 25:23 : 23 and the LORD said to her,“Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples will be separated from within you. One people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.”
  • Exod 6:14 : 14 The Ancestry of the Deliverer These are the heads of their fathers’ households: The sons of Reuben, the firstborn son of Israel, were Hanoch and Pallu, Hezron and Carmi. These were the clans of Reuben.
  • Lev 18:8 : 8 You must not have sexual relations with your father’s wife; she is your father’s nakedness.
  • Lev 20:11 : 11 If a man goes to bed with his father’s wife, he has exposed his father’s nakedness. Both of them must be put to death; their blood guilt is on themselves.
  • Num 1:5 : 5 Now these are the names of the men who are to help you: from Reuben, Elizur son of Shedeur;
  • Num 16:1 : 1 The Rebellion of Korah Now Korah son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth, who were Reubenites, took men
  • Num 26:5 : 5 Reuben Reuben was the firstborn of Israel. The Reubenites: from Hanoch, the family of the Hanochites; from Pallu, the family of the Palluites;
  • Deut 21:17 : 17 Rather, he must acknowledge the son of the less loved wife as firstborn and give him the double portion of all he has, for that son is the beginning of his father’s procreative power– to him should go the right of the firstborn.
  • Deut 27:20 : 20 ‘Cursed is the one who goes to bed with his father’s former wife, for he dishonors his father.’ Then all the people will say,‘Amen!’
  • Josh 14:6 : 6 The men of Judah approached Joshua in Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him,“You know what the LORD said about you and me to Moses, the man of God, at Kadesh Barnea.
  • 1 Sam 16:6-9 : 6 When they arrived, Samuel noticed Eliab and said to himself,“Surely, here before the LORD stands his chosen king!” 7 But the LORD said to Samuel,“Don’t be impressed by his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. God does not view things the way men do. People look on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and presented him to Samuel. But Samuel said,“The LORD has not chosen this one, either.” 9 Then Jesse presented Shammah. But Samuel said,“The LORD has not chosen this one either.” 10 Jesse presented seven of his sons to Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse,“The LORD has not chosen any of these.” 11 Then Samuel said to Jesse,“Is that all of the young men?” Jesse replied,“There is still the youngest one, but he’s taking care of the flock.” Samuel said to Jesse,“Send and get him, for we cannot turn our attention to other things until he comes here.”