Bible Strands
Genesis 49:3
Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jacob addresses his eldest son Reuben during his final prophetic address to his twelve sons in Genesis 49.
The words — The text identifies Reuben as בְּכֹרִי (be.Kho.r/i), literally "my firstborn," and describes him with יֶתֶר שְׂאֵת (Ye.ter se.'Et), literally "excellence of dignity."
The thread — This birthright designation connects to the legal requirement to grant the firstborn a double portion in Deuteronomy 21:17, while the name Reuben itself recalls Leah’s declaration of divine sight in Genesis 29:32.
Why it lands — The passage demands recognition that inherited status carries weight, even when subsequent actions complicate its fulfillment.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 21:17 Instead, he must acknowledge the firstborn, the son of his unloved wife, by giving him a double portion of all that he has. For that son is the firstfruits of his father’s strength; the right of the firstborn belongs to him.
- Psalms 78:51 He struck all the firstborn of Egypt, the virility in the tents of Ham.
- Genesis 29:32 And Leah conceived and gave birth to a son, and she named him Reuben, for she said, “The LORD has seen my affliction. Surely my husband will love me now.”
- Psalms 105:36 Then He struck all the firstborn in their land, the firstfruits of all their vigor.
- Genesis 48:18 “Not so, my father!” Joseph said. “This one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.”
- Numbers 1:20 From the sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel, according to the records of their clans and families, counting one by one the names of every male twenty years of age or older who could serve in the army,
- 1 Chronicles 2:1 These were the sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun,
- 1 Chronicles 5:1 These were the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. Though he was the firstborn, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, because Reuben defiled his father’s bed. So he is not reckoned according to birthright.
- 1 Chronicles 5:3 The sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.
- Genesis 46:8 Now these are the names of the sons of Israel (Jacob and his descendants) who went to Egypt: Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn.