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Levi and Reuben
How Levi and Reuben are linked in Scripture, with every passage where their stories cross.
How they are linked
Levi and Reuben were siblings.
Reuben and Levi were full brothers, Leah's first and third sons. Jacob's last words rebuked both, Reuben for going up to his father's bed and Levi, with Simeon, for their anger.
The sons of Leah; Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn, and Simeon, and Levi, and Judah
Genesis 35:23, King James Version
because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed
Genesis 49:4, King James Version
Cursed be their anger
Genesis 49:7, King James Version
Where they cross: Genesis 49:3-7
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 49:3-7
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.
5Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations.
6O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall.
7Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.
King James Version