I Chronicles 5
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Commentaries
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The sons of Reuben the first-born - As Reuben was the eldest son of Jacob, why was not his genealogy reviewed first? This verse answers the question; he lost the birth-right because of the transgression mentioned Gen 35:22; Gen 49:4, and the precedency was given to Judah; from him therefore came the chief ruler. This appears to be the meaning of the place.
Open source ↗THE LINE OF REUBEN. (Ch1 5:1-10) Now the sons of Reuben--In proceeding to give this genealogy, the sacred historian states, in a parenthesis (Ch1 5:1-2), the reason why it was not placed first, as Reuben was the oldest son of Jacob. The birthright, which by a foul crime he had forfeited, implied not only dominion, but a double portion (Deu 21:17); and both of these were transferred to Joseph, whose two sons having been adopted as the children of Jacob (Gen 48:5), received each an allotted portion, as forming two distinct tribes in Israel. Joseph then was entitled to the precedency; and yet, as his posterity was not mentioned first, the sacred historian judged it necessary to explain that "the genealogy was not to be reckoned after the birthright," but with a reference to a superior honor and privilege that had been conferred on Judah--not the man, but the tribe, whereby it was invested with the pre-eminence over all the other tribes, and out of it was to spring David with his royal lineage, and especially the great Messiah (Heb 7:14). These were the two reasons why, in the order of enumeration, the genealogy of Judah is introduced before that of Reuben.
Open source ↗Now the sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel,.... Are as follow in Ch1 5:3 where the account begins; for what comes between this and that is in a parenthesis: for he was the firstborn; of Jacob by his wife Leah; that must be owned, and Jacob allows it, Gen 49:3 and yet the genealogy in this book begins not with him, as might on that account be expected; the reason follows: but forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed: by lying with Bilhah his concubine: his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel; his beloved son by his beloved wife Rachel and so had a double portion given him; his two sons being equally ranked with the other sons of Jacob, and became distinct tribes, and each had their lot in the land of Canaan, see Gen 48:5 compared with Deu 21:17. and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright; or, "but the genealogy", &c. (o); neither after the birthright of Reuben, which he had by nature, being Jacob's firstborn; nor after the birthright of Joseph, which be had by his father's gift, as it might be thought it should; the reason of which follows. (o) "Nee tamen", Tigurine version.
Open source ↗Now the sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel,.... Are as follow in Ch1 5:3 where the account begins; for what comes between this and that is in a parenthesis: for he was the firstborn; of Jacob by his wife Leah; that must be owned, and Jacob allows it, Gen 49:3 and yet the genealogy in this book begins not with him, as might on that account be expected; the reason follows: but forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed: by lying with Bilhah his concubine: his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel; his beloved son by his beloved wife Rachel and so had a double portion given him; his two sons being equally ranked with the other sons of Jacob, and became distinct tribes, and each had their lot in the land of Canaan, see Gen 48:5 compared with Deu 21:17. and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright; or, "but the genealogy", &c. (o); neither after the birthright of Reuben, which he had by nature, being Jacob's firstborn; nor after the birthright of Joseph, which be had by his father's gift, as it might be thought it should; the reason of which follows. (o) "Nee tamen", Tigurine version.
Open source ↗We have here an extract out of the genealogies, I. Of the tribe of Reuben, where we have, 1. The reason why this tribe is thus postponed. It is confessed that Reuben was the first-born of Israel, and, upon that account, might challenge the precedency; but he forfeited his birthright by defiling his father's concubine, and was, for that, sentenced not to excel, Gen 49:4. Sin lessens men, thrusts them down from their excellency. Seventh-commandment sins especially leave an indelible stain upon men's names and families, a reproach which time will not wipe away. Reuben's seed, to the last, bear the disgrace of Reuben's sin. Yet, though that tribe was degraded, it was not discarded or disinherited. The sullying of the honour of an Israelite is not the losing of his happiness. Reuben loses his birthright, yet it does not devolve upon Simeon the next in order; for it was typical, and therefore must attend, not the course of nature, but the choice of grace. The advantages of the birthright were dominion and a double portion. Reuben having forfeited these, it was thought too much that both should be transferred to any one, and therefore they were divided. (1.) Joseph had the double portion; for two tribes descended from him, Ephraim and Manasseh, each of whom had a child's part (for so Jacob by faith blessed them, Heb 11:21; Gen 48:15, Gen 48:22), and each of those tribes was as considerable, and made as good a figure, as any one of the twelve, except Judah. But, (2.) Judah had the dominion; on him the dying patriarch entailed the sceptre, Gen 49:10 Of him came the chief ruler, David first, and, in the fulness of time, Messiah the Prince, Mic 5:2. This honour was secured to Judah, though the birthright was Joseph's; and, having this, he needed not envy Joseph the double portion.…
Open source ↗5:1-24 Chapter 5 records the genealogies for Reuben (5:1-10; cp. Gen 46:9), Gad (1 Chr 5:11-17), and Manasseh (5:23-24), the tribes of Israel that settled in Transjordan (the area east of the Jordan River). 5:1-2 Although Reuben was the oldest son of Israel, he did not receive his birthright because he had sexual relations with his father’s concubine (Gen 35:22). Jacob transferred this right to Joseph when he elevated Ephraim and Manasseh to full membership among the tribes (Gen 48:5). This gave Joseph the double portion that traditionally belonged to the firstborn (Deut 21:15-17). As Jacob foresaw, Judah surpassed his brothers and became the forefather of the ruling tribe (Gen 49:8-10). However, Reuben is still listed first (1 Chr 2:1).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… רְאוּבֵן (Rᵉʼûwbên, H7205) — Reuben, a son of Jacob בְּכוֹר (bᵉkôwr, H1060) — firstborn; hence, chief יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity חָלַל (châlal, H2490) — properly, to bore, i.e. (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application יָצוּעַ (yâtsûwaʻ, H3326) — spread, i.e. a bed; (architecture) an extension, i.e. wing or lean-to (a single story or… בְּכוֹרָה (bᵉkôwrâh, H1062) — the firstling of man or beast; abstractly primogeniture נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) יוֹסֵף (Yôwçêph, H3130) — Joseph, the name of seven Israelites יָחַשׂ (yâchas, H3187) — to enroll by pedigree
Open source ↗יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… גָּבַר (gâbar, H1396) — to be strong; by implication, to prevail, act insolently אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… נָגִיד (nâgîyd, H5057) — a commander (as occupying the front), civil, military or religious; generally… בְּכוֹרָה (bᵉkôwrâh, H1062) — the firstling of man or beast; abstractly primogeniture יוֹסֵף (Yôwçêph, H3130) — Joseph, the name of seven Israelites
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… רְאוּבֵן (Rᵉʼûwbên, H7205) — Reuben, a son of Jacob בְּכוֹר (bᵉkôwr, H1060) — firstborn; hence, chief יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity חֲנוֹךְ (Chănôwk, H2585) — Chanok, an antediluvian patriach פַּלּוּא (Pallûwʼ, H6396) — Pallu, an Israelite חֶצְרוֹן (Chetsrôwn, H2696) — Chetsron, the name of a place in Palestine; also of two Israelites כַּרְמִי (Karmîy, H3756) — Karmi, the name of three Israelites
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יוֹאֵל (Yôwʼêl, H3100) — Joel, the name of twelve Israelites שְׁמַעְיָה (Shᵉmaʻyâh, H8098) — Shemajah, the name of twenty-five Israelites גּוֹג (Gôwg, H1463) — Gog, the name of an Israelite, also of some nothern nation שִׁמְעִי (Shimʻîy, H8096) — Shimi, the name of twenty Israelites
Open source ↗מִיכָה (Mîykâh, H4318) — Micah, the name of seven Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… רְאָיָה (Rᵉʼâyâh, H7211) — Reajah, the name of three Israelites בַּעַל (Baʻal, H1168) — Baal, a Phoenician deity
Open source ↗בְּאֵרָה (Bᵉʼêrâh, H880) — Beerah, an Israelite בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… תִּגְלַת פִּלְאֶסֶר (Tiglath Pilʼeçer, H8407) — Tiglath-Pileser or Tilgath-pilneser, an Assyryrian king מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אַשּׁוּר (ʼAshshûwr, H804) — Ashshur, the second son of Shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them… גָּלָה (gâlâh, H1540) — to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being… נָשִׂיא (nâsîyʼ, H5387) — properly, an exalted one, i.e. a king or sheik; also a rising mist רְאוּבֵנִי (Rᵉʼûwbênîy, H7206) — a Reubenite or descendant of Reuben
Open source ↗אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… מִשְׁפָּחָה (mishpâchâh, H4940) — a family, i.e. circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of… יָחַשׂ (yâchas, H3187) — to enroll by pedigree תּוֹלְדָה (tôwlᵉdâh, H8435) — (plural only) descent, i.e. family; (figuratively) history רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… יְעִיאֵל (Yᵉʻîyʼêl, H3273) — Jeiel, the name of six Israelites זְכַרְיָה (Zᵉkaryâh, H2148) — Zecarjah, the name of twenty-nine Israelites
Open source ↗בֶּלַע (Belaʻ, H1106) — Bela, the name of a place, also of an Edomite and of two Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… עָזָז (ʻÂzâz, H5811) — Azaz, an Israelite שֶׁמַע (Shemaʻ, H8087) — Shema, the name of a place in Palestine and of four Israelites יוֹאֵל (Yôwʼêl, H3100) — Joel, the name of twelve Israelites יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… עֲרוֹעֵר (ʻĂrôwʻêr, H6177) — Aroer, the name of three places in or near Palestine נְבוֹ (Nᵉbôw, H5015) — Nebo, the name of a Babylonian deity, also of a mountain in Moab, and of a place in… בַּעַל מְעוֹן (Baʻal Mᵉʻôwn, H1186) — Baal-Meon, a place East of the Jordan
Open source ↗מִזְרָח (mizrâch, H4217) — sunrise, i.e. the east יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) מִדְבָּר (midbâr, H4057) — a pasture (i.e. open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert; also… נָהָר (nâhâr, H5104) — a stream (including the sea; expectation the Nile, Euphrates, etc.); figuratively,… פְּרָת (Pᵉrâth, H6578) — Perath (i.e. Euphrates), a river of the East מִקְנֶה (miqneh, H4735) — something bought, i.e. property, but only livestock; abstractly, acquisition רָבָה (râbâh, H7235) — to increase (in whatever respect) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) גִּלְעָד (Gilʻâd, H1568) — Gilad, a region East of the Jordan; also the name of three Israelites
Open source ↗יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh, H4421) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare) הַגְרִי (Hagrîy, H1905) — a Hagrite or member of a certain Arabian clan נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… מִזְרָח (mizrâch, H4217) — sunrise, i.e. the east גִּלְעָד (Gilʻâd, H1568) — Gilad, a region East of the Jordan; also the name of three Israelites
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… גָּד (Gâd, H1410) — Gad, a son of Jacob, including his tribe and its territory; also a prophet יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) בָּשָׁן (Bâshân, H1316) — Bashan (often with the article), a region East of the Jordan סַלְכָה (Çalkâh, H5548) — Salcah, a place East of the Jordan
Open source ↗יוֹאֵל (Yôwʼêl, H3100) — Joel, the name of twelve Israelites רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… שָׁפָם (Shâphâm, H8223) — Shapham, an Israelite מִשְׁנֶה (mishneh, H4932) — properly, a repetition, i.e. a duplicate (copy of a document), or a double (in amount);… יַעֲנַי (Yaʻănay, H3285) — Jaanai, an Israelite שָׁפָט (Shâphâṭ, H8202) — Shaphat, the name of four Israelites בָּשָׁן (Bâshân, H1316) — Bashan (often with the article), a region East of the Jordan
Open source ↗אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application מִיכָאֵל (Mîykâʼêl, H4317) — Mikael, the name of an archangel and of nine Israelites מְשֻׁלָּם (Mᵉshullâm, H4918) — Meshullam, the name of seventeen Israelites שֶׁבַע (shebaʻ, H7652) — Sheba, the name of a place in Palestine, and of two Israelites יוֹרַי (Yôwray, H3140) — Jorai, an Israelite יַעְכָּן (Yaʻkân, H3275) — Jakan, an Israelite זִיעַ (Zîyaʻ, H2127) — Zia, an Israelite עֵבֵר (ʻÊbêr, H5677) — Eber, the name of two patriarchs and four Israelites שֶׁבַע (shebaʻ, H7651) — seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week;…
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אֲבִיהַיִל (ʼĂbîyhayil, H32) — Abihail or Abichail, the name of three Israelites and two Israelitesses חוּרִי (Chûwrîy, H2359) — Churi, an Israelite יָרוֹחַ (Yârôwach, H3386) — Jaroach, an Israelite גִּלְעָד (Gilʻâd, H1568) — Gilad, a region East of the Jordan; also the name of three Israelites מִיכָאֵל (Mîykâʼêl, H4317) — Mikael, the name of an archangel and of nine Israelites יְשִׁישָׁי (Yᵉshîyshây, H3454) — Jeshishai, an Israelite יַחְדוֹ (Yachdôw, H3163) — Jachdo, an Israelite בּוּז (Bûwz, H938) — Buz, the name of a son of Nahor, and of an Israelite
Open source ↗Cross-references
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While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard about it. Jacob had twelve sons:
And Leah conceived and gave birth to a son, and she named him Reuben, for she said, “The LORD has seen my affliction. Surely my husband will love me now.”
These were the heads of their fathers’ houses: The sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel, were Hanoch and Pallu, Hezron and Carmi. These were the clans of Reuben.
Hosah the Merarite also had sons: Shimri the first (although he was not the firstborn, his father had appointed him as the first),
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is intolerable even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife.
Then the sons of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, “You know what the LORD said to Moses the man of God at Kadesh-barnea about you and me.
‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his father’s wife, for he has violated his father’s marriage bed.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
If a man lies with his father’s wife, he has uncovered his father’s nakedness. Both must surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.
Instead, he must acknowledge the firstborn, the son of his unloved wife, by giving him a double portion of all that he has. For that son is the firstfruits of his father’s strength; the right of the firstborn belongs to him.
Now Korah son of Izhar, the son of Kohath son of Levi, along with some Reubenites—Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth—conducted