Reuben's Descendants in the Old Testament
Reuben, whose name means "behold a son," was the firstborn son of Jacob and Leah [1, 5]. His birth is recorded in Genesis 29:32. The biblical narrative provides a mixed view of Reuben's character. He is credited with saving Joseph's life when his brothers conspired against him, suggesting a favorable disposition [1, 5]. Reuben also pledged his own life and the lives of his sons as security when Jacob was hesitant to send Benjamin to Egypt [5].
However, Reuben's history is also marked by a significant transgression: his adulterous connection with Bilhah, his father's concubine [1, 5]. This act is mentioned in Genesis 35:22 and resulted in his dying father's curse, turning his blessing into a malediction [1, 5]. This sin is often cited as the reason for his tribe's lack of prominence [6, 12]. Despite being the firstborn, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph [11].
The descendants of Reuben are listed in various biblical texts. Numbers 26:5 names the clans of the Hanochites and the Palluites, stemming from Hanoch and Pallu, sons of Reuben [2]. Other sons mentioned include Hezron and Carmi [7, 8, 9]. These genealogies are also found in Genesis 46:9, Exodus 6:14, and 1 Chronicles 5:3-4 [7, 8, 9]. The tribe of Reuben was among those who left Egypt [4].
During the wilderness wanderings, the tribe of Reuben played a role in the organization of Israel. They were part of the second division of Israel during their journeys and encamped south of the tabernacle [3]. They also participated in the numbering of the people and sent a representative to spy out the land of Canaan [3].
The tribe of Reuben, along with the tribe of Gad, requested and received their inheritance east of the Jordan River, on the condition that they would assist the other tribes in conquering Canaan [3, 10]. This allocation of land is detailed in Numbers 32:1-33 and Deuteronomy 3:18-20 [3]. The order of mentioning Reuben and Gad can vary, with Reuben often listed first due to his status as the firstborn [10]. The genealogies in 1 Chronicles trace the descendants of Reuben down to the time of the captivity by Tiglath-pileser [7, 8].
Sources
- 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”
- Numbers “Numbers 26:5 (LEB) — Reuben, the firstborn of Israel, the descendants of Reuben: of Hanoch, the clan of the Hanochites; of Pallu, the clan of the Palluites;”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Reuben, the Tribe Of — Descended from Jacob's first son -- Ge 29:32. Predictions respecting -- Ge 49:4; De 33:6. Persons selected from To number the people. -- Nu 1:5. To spy out the land. -- Nu 13:4. Strength of, on leaving Egypt -- Nu 1:20,21. Led the second division of Israel in their journey's -- Nu 10:18. Encamped with its standard south of the tabernacle -- Nu 2:10. Offering of, at the dedication -- Nu 7:30-35. Families of -- Nu 26:5,6,8,9. Obtained inheritance east of Jordan on condition of helping to conquer Canaan -- Nu 32:1-33; De 3:18-20. Bounds of their i”
- Exodus “Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, -- Exodus 1:2”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Reuben — 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). He showed kindness to Joseph, and was the means of saving his life when his other brothers would have put him to death (37:21, 22). It was he also who pledged his life and the life of his sons when Jacob was unwilling to let Benjamin go down into Egypt. After Jacob and his family went down into Egypt (46:8) no further mention is made of Reuben beyond what is recorded in ch. 49:3, 4.”
- Deuteronomy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Deuteronomy 33:6: 33:6 Moses said this about the tribe of Reuben: The NLT adds this line for clarity (cp. 33:7, 8, 12, etc.). • Reuben was Jacob’s eldest son by Leah (see Gen 29:32). His sin against his father (Gen 35:22) might explain his tribe’s lack of prominence (Gen 49:3-4).”
- 1 Chronicles (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on 1 Chronicles 5:3: The sons, I say, of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, were, Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi. As in Gen 46:9. . 1 Chronicles 5:4 ch1 5:4 ch1 5:4 ch1 5:4The sons of Joel,.... Who was either the son of Carmi last mentioned, or rather of Hanoch, Reuben's firstborn, since the descendants of him were the princes of the tribe: his posterity in succession were, Shemaiah, Cog, Shimei, Micah, Reaia, Baal, Beerah; of whom we know no more than their names, and by these the descent is carried down to the captivity by Tiglathpileser, as follows.”
- 1 Chronicles (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Chronicles 5:3: The sons, I say, of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, were, Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi. As in Gen 46:9. . 1 Chronicles 5:4 ch1 5:4 ch1 5:4 ch1 5:4The sons of Joel,.... Who was either the son of Carmi last mentioned, or rather of Hanoch, Reuben's firstborn, since the descendants of him were the princes of the tribe: his posterity in succession were, Shemaiah, Cog, Shimei, Micah, Reaia, Baal, Beerah; of whom we know no more than their names, and by these the descent is carried down to the captivity by Tiglathpileser, as follows.”
- 1 Chronicles (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Chronicles 5:3: 5:3 The sons of Reuben are also listed in Gen 46:9; Exod 6:14; Num 26:5-6.”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Kabbalistic/Philosophical)) “Ramban (Nachmanides) on Numbers 32:2: AND THE CHILDREN OF GAD AND THE CHILDREN OF REUBEN CAME AND SPOKE UNTO MOSES. In the preceding verse Scripture mentioned the children of Reuben first, [saying], Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of cattle , as is the correct way [of referring to them], for he [Reuben] was the firstborn and he was the son of the principal wife [of Jacob, i.e., Leah, whereas Gad was the son of Leah’s handmaid, Zilpah]. Similarly also when Scripture tells of [the occurrence of] this event it says, And unto the Reubenites and unto th”
- 1 Chronicles (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on 1 Chronicles 5:1: 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 belo”
- 1 Chronicles (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Chronicles 5:1: 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. ”