Reubenites Returning from Assyrian Captivity in Scripture
The tribe of Reuben, the firstborn son of Jacob and Leah, was among the Israelite tribes taken into Assyrian captivity [2, 5]. Reuben's lineage is noted in Genesis 29:32, and he is depicted as having a favorable disposition, notably in his efforts to preserve Joseph's life [5]. At the time of the Exodus, the tribe numbered 46,500 adult males, though this decreased to 43,730 by the end of the wilderness wanderings [1]. The Reubenites, along with the tribe of Gad, requested and received permission to settle in the "land of Gilead" on the east side of the Jordan River [1]. Their allotted territory was the smallest among the trans-Jordanic tribes, extending from the Arnon in the south along the Dead Sea [1].
The tribes east of the Jordan, including Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, were eventually conquered and taken captive by the king of Assyria because they had forsaken God [8, 10]. This event is recorded in 1 Chronicles 5:25-26 [8, 10].
While the Old Testament records the Assyrian captivity of these northern and eastern tribes, the biblical narrative primarily focuses on the return from Babylonian captivity, which occurred later. The first return from exile took place in 538 BC after Cyrus of Persia defeated Babylon, allowing the exiled Jews to return home [7, 9]. This return is detailed in books like Ezra, where it is noted that most of the exiles who returned were from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin [12].
The return from captivity is a recurring theme in prophetic literature. Isaiah, for instance, speaks of a remnant returning after destruction, even if a tenth survives a first calamity, it will face further judgment [6]. The prophet also alludes to the gathering of Gentiles to Israel, particularly at Israel's future restoration, which includes those who had fled to places like Moab and Edom [6, 11]. Ezekiel also speaks of a restoration, suggesting that God's grace would bring about the return of Judah and even some of the ten tribes, along with Moab and Ammon [13].
Specific individuals are mentioned in the biblical record as returning from Babylonian captivity. For example, Mispereth is listed among those who returned with Zerubbabel and Jeshua from Babylon [3]. The name Shubael itself is associated with "returning captivity" [4]. However, the specific return of the Reubenites from Assyrian captivity as a distinct group is not explicitly detailed in the same way as the return of Judah and Benjamin from Babylonian exile. The broader prophetic hope for restoration often encompasses all the scattered tribes of Israel.
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Reuben, Tribe of — At the Exodus numbered 46,500 male adults, from twenty years old and upwards (Num. 1:20, 21), and at the close of the wilderness wanderings they numbered only 43,730 (26:7). This tribe united with that of Gad in asking permission to settle in the "land of Gilead," "on the other side of Jordan" (32:1-5). The lot assigned to Reuben was the smallest of the lots given to the trans-Jordanic tribes. It extended from the Arnon, in the south along the coast of the Dead Sea to its northern end, where the Jordan flows into it (Josh. 13:15-21, 23). It thus em”
- Exodus “Exodus 1:2 (BSB) — Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah;”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Mispereth — one of those who returned with Zerubbabel and Jeshua from Babylon. (Nehemiah 7:7)”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Shubael — returning captivity; seat of God”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Reuben — (behold a son), Jacob's firstborn Child, (Genesis 29:32) the son of Leah. (B.C. 1753.) The notices of the patriarch Reuben give, on the whole a favorable view of his disposition. To him and him alone the preservation of Joseph's life appears to have been due and afterward he becomes responsible for his safety. (Genesis 37:18-30; 42:37) Of the repulsive crime which mars his history, and which turned the blessing of his dying father into a curse--his adulterous connection with Bilhah-- we know from the Scriptures only the fact. (Genesis 35:22) He was of an arde”
- Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 6:13: and it shall return, and . . . be eaten--Rather, "but it shall be again given over to be consumed": if even a tenth survive the first destruction, it shall be destroyed by a second (Isa 5:25; Eze 5:1-5, Eze 5:12), [MAURER and HORSLEY]. In English Version, "return" refers to the poor remnant left in the land at the Babylonish captivity (Kg2 24:14; Kg2 25:12), which afterwards fled to Egypt in fear (Kg2 25:26), and subsequently returned thence along with others who had fled to Moab and Edom (Jer 40:11-12), and suffered under further divine judgments. t”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Isaiah 14:1: For the Lord will have mercy , etc. When Babylon was taken, Cyrus allowed the exiled Jews to return home.”
- 1 Chronicles (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Chronicles 5 (introduction): This chapter gives us some account of the two tribes and a half that were seated on the other side Jordan. I. Of Reuben (Ch1 5:1-10). II. Of Gad (Ch1 5:11-17). III. Of the half-tribe of Manasseh (Ch1 5:23, Ch1 5:24). IV. Concerning all three acting in conjunction we are told, 1. How they conquered the Hagarites (Ch1 5:18-22). 2. How they were, at length, themselves conquered, and made captives, by the king of Assyria, because they had forsaken God (Ch1 5:25, Ch1 5:26).”
- Lamentations (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Lamentations 4:22: 4:22 The first return from exile occurred in 538 BC, after Cyrus of Persia defeated Babylon (2 Chr 36:22-23; Ezra 1:1-4).”
- 1 Chronicles (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on 1 Chronicles 5 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO 1 CHRONICLES 5 This chapter relates the genealogy of the tribes that lived on the other side Jordan; of the Reubenites, Ch1 5:1, of the Gadites, Ch1 5:11 of the half tribe of Manasseh, Ch1 5:23 and of their war with the Hagarites, in conjunction with each other, and their conquest of them, Ch1 5:18 and who for their sins were all carried captive by the king of Assyria, Ch1 5:25.”
- Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 45:14: The language but cursorily alludes to Egypt, Ethiopia, and Seba, being given to Cyrus as a ransom in lieu of Israel whom he restored (Isa 43:3), but mainly and fully describes the gathering in of the Gentiles to Israel (Act 2:10-11; Act 8:27-38), especially at Israel's future restoration (Isa 2:2; Isa 14:1-2; Isa 19:18-22; Isa 60:3-14; Isa 49:23; Psa 68:31; Psa 72:10-11). labour--wealth acquired by labor (Jer 3:24). Sabeans . . . of stature--the men of Meroe, in Upper Egypt. HERODOTUS (3.30) calls the Ethiopians "the tallest of men" (see on Isa 18”
- Ezra (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ezra 4:1: 4:1 Judah and Benjamin: Most of the exiles who had returned were from these two tribes of Israel (1:5).”
- Ezekiel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ezekiel 16:53: Here follows a promise of restoration. Even the sore chastisements coming on Judah would fail to reform its people; God's returning goodness alone would effect this, to show how entirely of grace was to be their restoration. The restoration of her erring sisters is mentioned before hers, even as their punishment preceded her punishment; so all self-boasting is excluded [FAIRBAIRN]. "Ye shall, indeed, at some time or other return, but Moab and Ammon shall return with you, and some of the ten tribes" [GROTIUS]. bring again . . . captivity--that is, c”