Thematic Bible: Could be forfeited by misconduct
Thematic Bible
the First-born » Privileges of » Could be forfeited by misconduct
Reuben, thou art my first-born, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellence of dignity, and the excellence of power: 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.
Now the sons of Reuben the first-born of Israel, (for he was the first-born; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his birth-right was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birth-right.
Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise; thy hand shall be on the neck of thy enemies: thy father's children shall bow down before thee.