Genesis 49:3

Genesis 49:3 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:
• New International Version (NIV)“Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, the first sign of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power.
• English Standard Version (ESV)"Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the firstfruits of my strength, preeminent in dignity and preeminent in power.
• New King James Version (NKJV)“Reuben, you are my firstborn, My might and the beginning of my strength, The excellency of dignity and the excellency of power.

Context of Genesis 49:3

1Then Jacob called his sons and said, “Gather around, and I will tell you what will happen to you in the days to come. 2Come together and listen, sons of Jacob; listen to your father Israel: Reuben, you are my firstborn, my strength and the firstfruits of my virility, excelling in prominence, excelling in power. 4Turbulent as water, you will not excel, because you got into your father’s bed and you defiled it — he got into my bed. 5Simeon and Levi are brothers; their knives are vicious weapons.

Genesis 49:3 word by word

רְאוּבֵן֙ בְּכֹ֣רִי אַ֔תָּה כֹּחִ֖י וְרֵאשִׁ֣ית אוֹנִ֑י יֶ֥תֶר שְׂאֵ֖ת וְיֶ֥תֶר עָֽז׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Reubenרְאוּבֵןre'ûbên · ReubenH7205
• my firstbornבְּכוֹרbekôr · firstbornH1060
• my mightכֹּחַkôach kôach · strengthH3581
• and the beginningרֵאשִׁיתrê'shîyth · first: beginningH7225
• of my strengthאוֹן'ôn · strengthH202
• the excellencyיֶ֫תֶרyether · remainderH3499
• of dignityשְׂאֵתώe'êth · elevationH7613
• of powerעַז‛az · strongH5794

Cross-references for Genesis 49:3

• Genesis 29:32Leah conceived, gave birth to a son, and named him Reuben, for she said, “The Lord has seen my affliction; surely my husband will love me now.”
• Genesis 46:8These are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt — Jacob and his sons: Jacob’s firstborn: Reuben.
• Genesis 48:18Joseph said to his father, “Not that way, my father! This one is the firstborn. Put your right hand on his head.”
• Numbers 1:20The descendants of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel: according to their family records by their clans and their ancestral families, counting one by one the names of every male twenty years old or more, everyone who could serve in the army,
• Numbers 26:5Reuben was the firstborn of Israel. Reuben’s descendants: the Hanochite clan from Hanoch; the Palluite clan from Pallu;
• 1 Chronicles 2:1These were Israel’s sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun,
• 1 Chronicles 5:1These were the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. He was the firstborn, but his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, because Reuben defiled his father’s bed. He is not listed in the genealogy according to birthright.
• Deuteronomy 21:17He must acknowledge the firstborn, the son of the neglected wife, by giving him two shares of his estate, for he is the firstfruits of his virility; he has the rights of the firstborn.
• Psalms 78:51He struck all the firstborn in Egypt, the first progeny of the tents of Ham.
• Psalms 105:36He struck all the firstborn in their land, all their first progeny.

Commentaries on Genesis 49:3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3Reuben as the first-born had a right to a double portion of all that the father had; see Deuteronomy 21:17; The eminence or dignity mentioned here may refer to the priesthood; the power, to the regal government or kingdom - In this sense it has been understood by all the ancient Targumists. The Targum of Onkelos paraphrases it thus: "Thou shouldst have received three portions, the birthright, the priesthood, and the kingdom:" and to this the Targums of…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1-33Verses 1-33 - Jacob Blesses His Sons 5. מכרה mekêrāh “weapon;” related: כיר kārar or כרה kārāh dig. “Device, design?” related: מכר mākar “sell,” in Arabic “take counsel. Habitation.” 10. מחקק mechoqēq “lawgiver, judge, dispenser of laws.” This word occurs in six other places - Numbers 21:18; Deuteronomy 33:21; Jud. Deuteronomy 5:14; Psalm 60:9; Psalm 108:9; Isaiah 33:22; in five of which it clearly denotes ruler, or judge. The meaning “sceptre” is…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 3-7Verses 3-7 Reuben was the first-born; but by gross sin, he forfeited the birthright. The character of Reuben is, that he was unstable as water. Men do not thrive, because they do not fix. Reuben's sin left a lasting infamy upon his family. Let us never do evil, then we need not fear being told of it. Simeon and Levi were passionate and revengeful. The murder of the Shechemites is a proof of this. Jacob protested against that barbarous act. Our soul is our…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3-4Uncontrolled as the waters: As the firstborn, Reuben should have led the family. But he acted without control, like water that boils or flows wildly (for example, 35:22). Because of this, Jacob said that Reuben would not succeed as a leader (see 37:21–22, 29; 42:22, 37–38; compare Judges 5:15–16; 1 Chronicles 5:1–2).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-331. Jacob called unto his sons--It is not to the sayings of the dying saint, so much as of the inspired prophet, that attention is called in this chapter. Under the immediate influence of the Holy Spirit he pronounced his prophetic benediction and described the condition of their respective descendants in the last days, or future times. Ge 49:3, 4. Reuben forfeited by his crime the rights and honors of primogeniture. His posterity never made any figure; no…Read the comment

Topics related to Genesis 49:3

• Character
• Death
• Firstborn
• Instability
• Jacob
• Parents
• Reuben

In the dictionaries

• Reuben
• Bless
• Blood
• Devour
• Fierce
• Firstborn
• Jacob
• Raven
• Rouse
• Shoot

Commentaries on Genesis 49

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings