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Jacob and Reuben
How Jacob and Reuben are linked in Scripture, with every passage where their stories cross.
How they are linked
Jacob was a parent of Reuben.
Reuben was Jacob's firstborn. Because he lay with his father's concubine Bilhah, Jacob's last words to him were, "Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel".
Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn
Genesis 35:23, King James Version
Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father’s concubine: and Israel heard it
Genesis 35:22, King James Version
Where they cross: Genesis 49:1-4
Notes are commentary, checked against the cited verses in a separate review. Quoted words are Scripture.
Every passage, in order
Genesis 35:22
22And it came to pass, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father’s concubine: and Israel heard it. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve:
Genesis 35:23
23The sons of Leah; Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn, and Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Zebulun:
Genesis 49:1-4
1And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days.
2Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father.
3Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:
4Unstable 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.
King James Version