Parallel Verses
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
As unstable as water wast thou: thou shalt therefore not be the chiefest, for thou wentest up upon thy father's bed, and then defiledest thou my couch with going up.
New American Standard Bible
Then you defiled it—he went up to my couch.
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.
Holman Bible
because you got into your father’s bed
and you defiled it—he
International Standard Version
But you're as undisciplined as a roaring river, so eventually you won't succeed, because you got in your father's bed, defiled it, and then approached my couch."
A Conservative Version
Boiling over as water, thou shall not have the pre-eminence, because thou went up to thy father's bed, then thou defiled it; he went up to my couch.
American Standard Version
Boiling over as water, thou shalt not have the pre-eminence; Because thou wentest up to thy father's bed; Then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch.
Amplified
“But unstable and reckless and boiling over like water [in sinful lust], you shall
Because you went up to your father’s bed [with Bilhah];
You defiled it—he went up to my couch.
Bible in Basic English
But because you were uncontrolled, the first place will not be yours; for you went up to your father's bed, even his bride-bed, and made it unclean.
Darby Translation
Impetuous as the waters, thou shalt have no pre-eminence; Because thou wentest up to thy father's couch: Then defiledst thou it: he went up to my bed.
Julia Smith Translation
Vain glorious as water, thou shalt not be preeminent; for thou didst go up out of thy father's. bed; then didst thou defile, going up to my couch.
King James 2000
Unstable as water, you shall not excel; because you went up to your father's bed; then you defiled it: he went up to my couch.
Lexham Expanded Bible
Unstable as water, you shall not excel [any longer], for you went up upon the bed of your father, then defiled [it]. You went up upon my couch!
Modern King James verseion
Unstable as water, you shall not excel, because you went up to your father's bed; then you defiled it. He went up to my couch.
NET Bible
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!
New Heart English Bible
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.
The Emphasized Bible
Boiling over like water, thou mayest not have pre-eminence, Because thou didst mount the bed of thy father, - Then, wast thou profane - My marriage-bed, he mounted!
Webster
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.
World English Bible
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.
Youngs Literal Translation
Unstable as water, thou art not abundant; For thou hast gone up thy father's bed; Then thou hast polluted: My couch he went up!
Themes
Bilhah » Rachael's servant » Reuben's incest with
Character » Instances of instability » Reuben
Firstborn » Birthright of the » Forfeited by reuben
the First-born » Privileges of » Could be forfeited by misconduct
Incest » Instances of » Reuben
Instability » Instances of » Reuben
jacob » His final prophetic benedictions upon his sons » Upon reuben
Parents » Paternal blessings of » jacob
Reuben » Jacob's prophetic benediction upon
The tribe of Reuben » Predictions respecting
The tribes of israel » Predictions respecting each of
Water » Illustrative » (its instability,) of a wavering disposition
Interlinear
Yathar
`alah
'ab
References
American
Easton
Fausets
Word Count of 20 Translations in Genesis 49:4
Verse Info
Context Readings
Jacob Blesses His Twelve Sons
3 "Reuben, thou art mine eldest son, my might and the beginning of my strength, chief in receiving and chief in power. 4 As unstable as water wast thou: thou shalt therefore not be the chiefest, for thou wentest up upon thy father's bed, and then defiledest thou my couch with going up. 5 The brethren Simeon and Levi, wicked instruments are their weapons.
Phrases
Cross References
Genesis 35:22
And it chanced, as Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine, and it came to Israel's ear. The sons of Jacob were twelve in number.
Deuteronomy 27:20
"'Cursed be he that lieth with his father's wife, because he hath opened his father's covering.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'
1 Chronicles 5:1
The sons of Reuben, the eldest son of Israel: for he was the eldest. But because he defied his father's bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph, the son of Israel, and so he is not reckoned unto the birthright.
Genesis 46:8
These are the names of the children of Israel which came into Egypt, both Jacob and his sons: Reuben, Jacob's first son.
Numbers 32:1-42
The children of Reuben and the children of Gad had an exceeding great multitude of cattle. And when they saw the land of Jazer and the land of Gilead, that it was an apt place for cattle,
Deuteronomy 5:21
'Thou shalt not lust after thy neighbour's wife: thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, field, servant, maid, ox, ass nor ought that is thy neighbour's.'
Deuteronomy 33:6
Reuben shall live and shall not die: but his people shall be few in number. This is the blessing of Judah."
1 Corinthians 5:1
There goeth a common saying that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not once named among the gentiles: that one should have his father's wife.
James 1:6-8
But let him ask in faith, and waver not. For he that doubteth is like the waves of the sea, tossed of the wind, and carried with violence.
2 Peter 2:14
having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease to sin, beguiling unstable souls. Hearts they have exercised with covetousness. They are cursed children,
2 Peter 3:16
yea, almost in every epistle, speaking of such things: among which are many things hard to be understood: which they that are unlearned and unstable pervert, as they do other scriptures, unto their own destruction.