Lux Domini
Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:

What does Genesis 49:3 mean?

Reuben was the first-born; but by gross sin, he forfeited the birthright. The character of Reuben is, that he was unstable as water.

Key themes

HopeCreationFallCovenant

Read with

Keep this verse inside Genesis 49:3-4 and alongside a few nearby related passages.

Related topics

Glossary

Reuben Person

Behold a son!, the eldest son of Jacob and Leah ( Gen. 29:32 ). His sinful conduct, referred to in Gen. 35:22 , brought down upon him his dying father’s malediction (48:4).