Reuben

Reuben, the firstborn son of Jacob and Leah, forfeited his birthright through his immoral act with Bilhah, his father's concubine, as recorded in Genesis 35:22. Consequently, the privileges of leadership and a double portion of inheritance passed to the descendants of Joseph, while Reuben's tribe received a lesser status among the Israelites. The tribe of Reuben, along with Gad and half of Manasseh, chose to settle in the fertile lands east of the Jordan River after the conquest of the Transjordan region, as described in Numbers 32. This decision and their earlier loss of preeminence highlight themes of divine justice and the enduring impact of individual choices within the broader narrative of Israel's formation and inheritance in the Promised Land.

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Meaning: Behold, a son
Patriarch: Reuben
Mother: Leah
Territory: East of the Jordan, north of the Dead Sea
Blessing: Unstable as water, you shall not excel, because you went up to your father's bed.
Key Figures: Dathan, Abiram

Key Passages

Jacob's Blessing

Genesis 49:3-4

R³euben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:

⁴ 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.

Moses' Blessing

Deuteronomy 33:6

L⁶et Reuben live, and not die; and let not his men be few.

Territory Assigned

Numbers 32:1-5

N¹ow the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of cattle: and when they saw the land of Jazer, and the land of Gilead, that, behold, the place was a place for cattle;

² The children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spake unto Moses, and to Eleazar the priest, and unto the princes of the congregation, saying, ³ Ataroth, and Dibon, and Jazer, and Nimrah, and Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Shebam, and Nebo, and Beon, ⁴ Even the country which the LORD smote before the congregation of Israel, is a land for cattle, and thy servants have cattle: ⁵ Wherefore, said they, if we have found grace in thy sight, let this land be given unto thy servants for a possession, and bring us not over Jordan.

Did You Know?

Reuben lost his birthright as firstborn because he slept with his father's concubine Bilhah.

The tribe of Reuben settled east of the Jordan. Choosing convenience over the Promised Land proper.

No judge, prophet, or king ever came from the tribe of Reuben.