Reuben

Lore & Background

Reuben first appears as an infant named by his mother Leah (Genesis 29:32). As a child, he found mandrakes in the field and brought them to Leah, which led to a negotiation between Leah and Rachel (Genesis 30:14). Later, while Israel dwelt in the land, Reuben committed a grave offense by lying with Bilhah, his father's concubine, and Israel heard of it (Genesis 35:22). In the account of Joseph, Reuben emerges as the brother who opposed the plan to kill Joseph, persuading them to cast him into a pit instead, intending to rescue him later and return him to Jacob (Genesis 37:21-22). When he returned to the pit and found Joseph gone, he tore his clothes in grief (Genesis 37:29). Years later, during the famine, Reuben reminded his brothers that he had warned them not to sin against the child (Genesis 42:22), and he offered his own two sons as surety to Jacob for Benjamin's safe return (Genesis 42:37). Reuben is listed among the sons of Jacob who went into Egypt (Genesis 46:8), and his own sons are named (Genesis 46:9). In Jacob's blessing, Reuben is addressed as the firstborn, 'my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power' (Genesis 49:3). Later, Jacob adopted Joseph's sons Ephraim and Manasseh, saying they would be his 'as Reuben and Simeon' (Genesis 48:5).

Reader's Guide

The passages portray Reuben as a figure of mixed legacy. He is consistently called Jacob's firstborn (Genesis 29:32, Genesis 35:23, Genesis 46:8, Genesis 49:3, Exodus 6:14), a status that carries both privilege and responsibility. His early life includes a seemingly innocent act of gathering mandrakes (Genesis 30:14), but his later transgression with Bilhah (Genesis 35:22) is a serious breach of family loyalty. In the Joseph narrative, Reuben acts as a protector: he prevents the brothers from killing Joseph (Genesis 37:21-22), grieves when Joseph is missing (Genesis 37:29), and later reminds the brothers of his earlier warning (Genesis 42:22). He also offers his own sons as collateral to guarantee Benjamin's safety (Genesis 42:37). Despite these efforts, Jacob's blessing (Genesis 49:3) acknowledges Reuben's firstborn status but does not grant him the preeminence that might be expected, and the adoption of Joseph's sons as equal to Reuben (Genesis 48:5) further diminishes his unique position. The passages do not explicitly state that Reuben lost his birthright, but the cumulative narrative suggests a decline from his initial standing.

Did You Know?

• Reuben's name was given by Leah because she believed the Lord had looked upon her affliction (Genesis 29:32).
• Reuben found mandrakes in the field during wheat harvest and brought them to his mother Leah (Genesis 30:14).
• Reuben lay with Bilhah, his father's concubine, and Israel heard of it (Genesis 35:22).
• Reuben offered to have his own two sons killed if he failed to bring Benjamin back to Jacob (Genesis 42:37).