Traces
Benjamin and Reuben
How Benjamin and Reuben are linked in Scripture, with every passage where their stories cross.
How they are linked
Benjamin and Reuben were siblings.
Reuben, the eldest, offered Jacob his own two sons as a pledge that he would bring back Benjamin, the youngest. Jacob refused to let Benjamin go.
The sons of Leah; Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn, and Simeon, and Levi, and Judah
Genesis 35:23, King James Version
The sons of Rachel; Joseph, and Benjamin
Genesis 35:24, King James Version
Slay my two sons, if I bring him not to thee
Genesis 42:37, King James Version
Where they cross: Genesis 42:36-38
Notes are commentary, checked against the cited verses in a separate review. Quoted words are Scripture.
Every passage, in order
Genesis 35:23
23The sons of Leah; Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn, and Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Zebulun:
Genesis 35:24
24The sons of Rachel; Joseph, and Benjamin:
Genesis 42:36-38
36And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me.
37And Reuben spake unto his father, saying, Slay my two sons, if I bring him not to thee: deliver him into my hand, and I will bring him to thee again.
38And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.
King James Version