Genesis 49:3

The Message

Reuben, you’re my firstborn, my strength, first proof of my manhood, at the top in honor and at the top in power, But like a bucket of water spilled, you’ll be at the top no more, Because you climbed into your father’s marriage bed, mounting that couch, and you defiled it.

Cross References

Genesis 46:8

These are the names of the Israelites, Jacob and his descendants, who went to Egypt: Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn.

1 Chronicles 2:1

Israel’s (that is, Jacob’s) sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.

1 Chronicles 5:1

The family of Reuben the firstborn of Israel: Though Reuben was Israel’s firstborn, after he slept with his father’s concubine, a defiling act, his rights as the firstborn were passed on to the sons of Joseph son of Israel. He lost his “firstborn” place in the family tree. And even though Judah became the strongest of his brothers and King David eventually came from that family, the firstborn rights stayed with Joseph.

1 Chronicles 5:3

The sons of Reuben, firstborn of Israel: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.

Ezekiel 48:6

“Reuben: one portion, bordering Ephraim from east to west.

Numbers 1:20

The line of Reuben, Israel’s firstborn: The men were counted off head by head, every male twenty years and older who was able to fight in the army, registered by tribes according to their ancestral families. The tribe of Reuben numbered 46,500.

Deuteronomy 33:6

Reuben: “Let Reuben live and not die, but just barely, in diminishing numbers.”

Revelation 3:14

Write to Laodicea, to the Angel of the church. God’s Yes, the Faithful and Accurate Witness, the First of God’s creation, says: