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Genesis 49

Gen. 49:3 KJV (With Strong’s)

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Reuben
R'uwben (Hebrew #7205)
see ye a son; Reuben, a son of Jacob
KJV usage: Reuben.
Pronounce: reh-oo-bane'
Origin: from the imperative of 7200 and 1121
, thou art my firstborn
bkowr (Hebrew #1060)
firstborn; hence, chief
KJV usage: eldest (son), firstborn(-ling).
Pronounce: bek-ore'
Origin: from 1069
, my might
koach (Hebrew #3581)
from an unused root meaning to be firm; vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce); also (from its hardiness) a large lizard
KJV usage: ability, able, chameleon, force, fruits, might, power(-ful), strength, substance, wealth.
Pronounce: ko'-akh
Origin: or (Dan. 11:6) kowach {ko'-akh}
, and the beginning
re'shiyth (Hebrew #7225)
the first, in place, time, order or rank (specifically, a firstfruit)
KJV usage: beginning, chief(-est), first(-fruits, part, time), principal thing.
Pronounce: ray-sheeth'
Origin: from the same as 7218
k of my strength
'own (Hebrew #202)
ability, power, (figuratively) wealth
KJV usage: force, goods, might, strength, substance.
Pronounce: one
Origin: probably from the same as 205 (in the sense of effort, but successful)
, the excellency
yether (Hebrew #3499)
properly, an overhanging, i.e. (by implication) an excess, superiority, remainder; also a small rope (as hanging free)
KJV usage: + abundant, cord, exceeding, excellancy(-ent), what they leave, that hath left, plentifully, remnant, residue, rest, string, with.
Pronounce: yeh'-ther
Origin: from 3498
of dignity
s'eth (Hebrew #7613)
an elevation or leprous scab; figuratively, elation or cheerfulness; exaltation in rank or character
KJV usage: be accepted, dignity, excellency, highness, raise up self, rising.
Pronounce: seh-ayth'
Origin: from 5375
, and the excellency
yether (Hebrew #3499)
properly, an overhanging, i.e. (by implication) an excess, superiority, remainder; also a small rope (as hanging free)
KJV usage: + abundant, cord, exceeding, excellancy(-ent), what they leave, that hath left, plentifully, remnant, residue, rest, string, with.
Pronounce: yeh'-ther
Origin: from 3498
of power
`az (Hebrew #5794)
strong, vehement, harsh
KJV usage: fierce, + greedy, mighty, power, roughly, strong.
Pronounce: az
Origin: from 5810
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k
Deut. 21:17• 17but he shall acknowledge as firstborn the son of the hated, by giving him a double portion of all that is found with him; for he is the firstfruits of his vigour: the right of the firstborn is his. (Deut. 21:17)

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Reuben

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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my firstborn.
Gen. 29:32• 32And Leah conceived, and bore a son, and called his name Reuben; for she said, Because Jehovah has looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me. (Gen. 29:32)
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Gen. 46:8• 8And these are the names of the sons of Israel who came into Egypt: Jacob and his sons. Jacob's firstborn, Reuben. (Gen. 46:8)
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Gen. 48:18• 18And Joseph said to his father, Not so, my father, for this is the firstborn: put thy right hand on his head. (Gen. 48:18)
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Num. 1:20• 20And the sons of Reuben, Israel's eldest son, their generations, after their families, according to their fathers' houses, by the number of the names, according to their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that went forth to military service: (Num. 1:20)
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Num. 26:5• 5Reuben, the firstborn of Israel: the children of Reuben: of Enoch, the family of the Enochites; of Pallu, the family of the Palluites; (Num. 26:5)
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1 Chron. 2:1• 1These are the sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah, Issachar and Zebulun, (1 Chron. 2:1)
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1 Chron. 5:1,3• 1And the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn; but, inasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel; but the genealogy is not registered according to the birthright,
 3--the sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel: Enoch and Phallu, Hezron and Carmi. (1 Chron. 5:1,3)
my might.
Deut. 21:17• 17but he shall acknowledge as firstborn the son of the hated, by giving him a double portion of all that is found with him; for he is the firstfruits of his vigour: the right of the firstborn is his. (Deut. 21:17)
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Psa. 78:51• 51And he smote all the firstborn in Egypt, the first-fruits of their vigour in the tents of Ham. (Psa. 78:51)
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Psa. 105:36• 36And he smote every firstborn in their land, the firstfruits of all their vigour. (Psa. 105:36)
• Reuben, Simeon, and Levi, the moral character and failure of responsible Israel. It will be found, as ever, corruption and violence: such is man. (“Genesis 48-50” by J.N. Darby)
• On the whole, I think we have a complete history of Israel in this way. First his failure: Reuben, Simeon, and Levi, corruption and violence, as already remarked. (“Genesis 48-50” by J.N. Darby)
• Past History of the Nation. Reuben.-The early history of the nation, exhibiting instability and idolatry. (“Prophetic Blessings of Jacob and Moses: Genesis 49, Deuteronomy 33” by W. Scott)

J. N. Darby Translation

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Reuben, thou art my firstborn, My might, and the firstfruits of my vigour: Excellency of dignity, and excellency of strength.