Reuben
malePatriarchalMeaning: “Behold, a son”
The firstborn son of Jacob and Leah, who forfeited his birthright through sin yet sought to save Joseph from his brothers.
Biography
Reuben was the firstborn son of Jacob and Leah (Genesis 29:32) — a man whose privileged position was undone by his own failures, yet who showed flashes of conscience in the family's darkest moments.
A forfeited birthright
Reuben lay with his father's concubine Bilhah (Genesis 35:22), a grave dishonor for which Jacob, on his deathbed, withheld the firstborn's preeminence: "Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel" (Genesis 49:4). The birthright passed instead toward Joseph and Judah.
A troubled conscience
When the brothers plotted to kill Joseph, it was Reuben who intervened, planning to rescue him: "Shed no blood… that he might rid him out of their hands" (Genesis 37:21–22). Later, in Egypt, he offered his own two sons as surety for Benjamin's safe return (Genesis 42:37). His tribe settled east of the Jordan.
Life Timeline
Born as Jacob’s firstborn to Leah
Tries to rescue Joseph from his brothers
Forfeits the birthright in Jacob’s final blessing
On the Bible timeline
Reuben belongs to the The Patriarchs era (c. 2100 – 1800 BC).
- c. 2091 BCThe Call of Abraham
- c. 1898 BCJoseph Sold into Egypt
Family Tree
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Themes & lessons from Reuben
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Reuben appears.
People they appear with
Scripture Appearances
13 verses in 1 bookGenesis13 verses
Genesis 29:32
And 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. Reuben: that is, See a son
Genesis 30:14
And Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest, and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them unto his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, Give me, I pray thee, of thy son's mandrakes.
Genesis 35:22
And it came to pass, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine: and Israel heard it. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve:
Genesis 35:23
The sons of Leah; Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, and Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Zebulun:
Genesis 37:21
And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him.
Genesis 37:22
And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him; that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again.
Genesis 37:29
And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, behold, Joseph was not in the pit; and he rent his clothes.
Genesis 42:22
And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is required.
Genesis 42:37
And Reuben spake unto his father, saying, Slay my two sons, if I bring him not to thee: deliver him into my hand, and I will bring him to thee again.
Genesis 46:8
And these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt, Jacob and his sons: Reuben, Jacob's firstborn.
Genesis 46:9
And the sons of Reuben; Hanoch, and Phallu, and Hezron, and Carmi.
Genesis 48:5
And now thy two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born unto thee in the land of Egypt before I came unto thee into Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine.
Genesis 49:3
Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:
Frequently asked about Reuben
Who was Reuben in the Bible?
The firstborn son of Jacob and Leah, who forfeited his birthright through sin yet sought to save Joseph from his brothers.
What does the name Reuben mean?
The name Reuben means “Behold, a son”.
What did Reuben do in the Bible?
Reuben served as patriarch.
Who were Reuben's parents?
Reuben was the child of Jacob, Leah.
Where does Reuben appear in the Bible?
Reuben is mentioned 13 times across 1 book: Genesis.
What can we learn from Reuben?
The story of Reuben touches on themes of reuben, jacob, tribes of israel, the, brother — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Reuben's life.
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