Genesis 49:3

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Summary

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

My firstborn

1 Chronicles 5:1

My might

Deuteronomy 21:17

Psalm 78:51

Psalm 105:36

General references

Numbers 1:20

Deuteronomy 33:6

Bible References

My firstborn

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."

These are the names of the sons of Israel who went to Egypt -- Jacob and his sons: Reuben, the firstborn of Jacob.

Joseph said to his father, "Not so, my father, for this is the firstborn. Put your right hand on his head."

And they were as follows: The descendants of Reuben, the firstborn son of Israel: According to the records of their clans and families, all the males twenty years old or older who could serve in the army were listed by name individually.

Reuben was the firstborn of Israel. The Reubenites: from Hanoch, the family of the Hanochites; from Pallu, the family of the Palluites;

These were the sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah; Issachar and Zebulun;

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.

My might

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.

He struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, the firstfruits of their reproductive power in the tents of Ham.

He struck down all the firstborn in their land, the firstfruits of their reproductive power.

General references

May Reuben live and not die, and may his people multiply.