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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 the son of the hated for the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for he is the beginning of his strength; 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 bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the Lord hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me. (Gen. 29:32)
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Gen. 46:8• 8And these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt, Jacob and his sons: Reuben, Jacob's firstborn. (Gen. 46:8)
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Gen. 48:18• 18And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father: for this is the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head. (Gen. 48:18)
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Num. 1:20• 20And the children of Reuben, Israel's eldest son, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; (Num. 1:20)
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Num. 26:5• 5Reuben, the eldest son of Israel: the children of Reuben; Hanoch, of whom cometh the family of the Hanochites: 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• 1Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright.
 3The sons, I say, of Reuben the firstborn of Israel were, Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi. (1 Chron. 5:1,3)
my might.
Deut. 21:17• 17But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his. (Deut. 21:17)
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Psa. 78:51• 51And smote all the firstborn in Egypt; the chief of their strength in the tabernacles of Ham: (Psa. 78:51)
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Psa. 105:36• 36He smote also all the firstborn in their land, the chief of all their strength. (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.