Interesting Facts

• Reuben was Jacob’s firstborn son.
• He slept with Bilhah, his father’s concubine, which angered Jacob. This act was later codified as a grave offense on the heavenly tablets.
• Reuben was jealous of his mother Leah because of Jacob’s relationship with Bilhah, leading him to remove his father’s bed from Bilhah’s tent.
• He attempted to dissuade his brothers from killing Joseph, suggesting they cast him into a pit instead, intending to rescue him later.
• Reuben offered his own sons as surety to Jacob to ensure Benjamin’s safe return from Egypt.

Genealogy

• Reuben was the firstborn son of Jacob and Leah.
• His brothers were Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun (all sons of Leah), Joseph and Benjamin (sons of Rachel), Gad and Asher (sons of Zilpah), and Dan and Naphtali (sons of Bilhah).
• The sources list his sons as Hanoch, Phallu, Hezron, and Carmi.
• Reuben had four sons who went with Jacob to Egypt.
• It is mentioned that the sons of Jacob married and had children during this period.

Historical Context

Reuben’s life occurred within the patriarchal society of the early Israelites, where birth order held significant importance, granting the firstborn certain privileges and responsibilities. The cultural norms of the time included polygamy and the use of handmaids for procreation, which led to complex family dynamics and potential rivalries, as seen in Reuben’s jealousy for his mother Leah. The journey to Egypt due to famine and the subsequent dwelling there under Joseph’s authority shaped the lives of Reuben and his descendants. The incident with Bilhah highlights the evolving moral and legal codes within their society, with the condemnation of such acts being ordained on the heavenly tablets. The strong emphasis on family unity and the protection of younger siblings, as demonstrated by Reuben’s attempt to save Joseph and his pledge for Benjamin’s return, were also significant aspects of their cultural values.

Narrative

Reuben’s narrative begins with his position as the firstborn, a status that initially implied leadership and a double portion of inheritance, as suggested by Jacob’s initial blessing, though this was later revoked due to his transgression with Bilhah. His attempt to save Joseph from his brothers’ murderous plot reveals a degree of moral conscience and a desire to protect his younger brother, even if his motives were also self-serving in wanting to return Joseph to Jacob himself. Reuben’s jealousy for his mother Leah and his subsequent act of defiling his father’s bed with Bilhah is a pivotal moment, demonstrating impulsivity and a lack of respect for his father’s household, which ultimately cost him his birthright and leadership. Later, when Benjamin’s safety is threatened in Egypt, Reuben’s offer to sacrifice his own sons as surety underscores a sense of responsibility towards his father and a willingness to make a significant personal sacrifice, although Jacob initially rejects this offer. Despite his early failings, Reuben’s actions in trying to prevent Joseph’s death and ensuring Benjamin’s return suggest a complex character capable of both serious error and a measure of familial loyalty. Ultimately, Jacob’s prophetic words on his deathbed reflect the consequences of Reuben’s instability, stating that he would not excel despite his primogeniture.