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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Chronicles 5:1 These were the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. Though he was the firstborn, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, because Reuben defiled his father's bed. So he is not reckoned according to birthright.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_chronicles/5-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/13_1Ch_05_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Chronicles 5:1 - The Descendants of Reuben" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="These were the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. Though he was the firstborn, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, because Reuben defiled his father's bed. 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But since he dishonored his father by sleeping with one of his father’s concubines, his birthright was given to the sons of his brother Joseph. For this reason, Reuben is not listed in the genealogical records as the firstborn son. <a href="/esv/1_chronicles/5.htm">English Standard Version</a> The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn, but because he defiled his father’s couch, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel, so that he could not be enrolled as the oldest son; <a href="/bsb/1_chronicles/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> These were the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. Though he was the firstborn, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, because Reuben defiled his father’s bed. So he is not reckoned according to birthright. <a href="/kjv/1_chronicles/5.htm">King James Bible</a> Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright. <a href="/nkjv/1_chronicles/5.htm">New King James Version</a> Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel—he was indeed the firstborn, but because he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph, the son of Israel, so that the genealogy is not listed according to the birthright; <a href="/nasb_/1_chronicles/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Now the sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn, but because he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph, the son of Israel; so he is not enrolled in the genealogy according to the birthright. <a href="/nasb/1_chronicles/5.htm">NASB 1995</a> Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn, but because he defiled his father&#8217s bed, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel; so that he is not enrolled in the genealogy according to the birthright. <a href="/nasb77/1_chronicles/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Now the sons of Reuben the first-born of Israel (for he was the first-born, but because he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel; so that he is not enrolled in the genealogy according to the birthright. <a href="/lsb/1_chronicles/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn, but because he profaned his father’s bed, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel; so that he is not recorded in the genealogy according to the birthright. <a href="/amp/1_chronicles/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Now [we come to] the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel—for Reuben was the eldest, but because he defiled his father’s bed [with Bilhah his father’s concubine], his birthright was given to [Manasseh and Ephraim] the sons of Joseph [the favorite] son of Israel, so that he is not enrolled in the genealogy according to the birthright. <a href="/csb/1_chronicles/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> These were the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. He was the firstborn, but his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, because Reuben defiled his father’s bed. He is not listed in the genealogy according to birthright. <a href="/hcsb/1_chronicles/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> These were the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. He was the firstborn, but his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, because Reuben defiled his father&#8217s bed. He is not listed in the genealogy according to birthright. <a href="/asv/1_chronicles/5.htm">American Standard Version</a> And the sons of Reuben the first-born of Israel (for he was the first-born; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father's couch, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel; and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright. <a href="/cev/1_chronicles/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Reuben was the oldest son of Jacob, but he lost his rights as the first-born son because he slept with one of his father's wives. The honor of the first-born son was then given to Joseph, <a href="/erv/1_chronicles/5.htm">English Revised Version</a> And the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father's couch, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel; and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright. <a href="/gwt/1_chronicles/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> These are the sons of Reuben, Israel's firstborn. (Although he was the firstborn, his rights as firstborn were given to his nephews, Joseph's sons, because he dishonored his father's bed. However, Joseph couldn't be listed in the genealogy as the firstborn son. <a href="/gnt/1_chronicles/5.htm">Good News Translation</a> These are the descendants of Reuben, the oldest of Jacob's sons. (Because he had sex with one of his father's concubines, he lost the rights belonging to the first-born son, and those rights were given to Joseph. <a href="/isv/1_chronicles/5.htm">International Standard Version</a> Here is a record of the descendants of Reuben, Israel's firstborn. (He was the firstborn, but because he defiled his father's marriage bed, his birthright was transferred to the descendants of Israel's son Joseph. As a result, Reuben is not enrolled in the genealogy according to the birthright. <a href="/net/1_chronicles/5.htm">NET Bible</a> The sons of Reuben, Israel's firstborn--(Now he was the firstborn, but when he defiled his father's bed, his rights as firstborn were given to the sons of Joseph, Israel's son. So Reuben is not listed as firstborn in the genealogical records. <a href="/nheb/1_chronicles/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn; but, because he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel; and not to be regarded in the genealogy as the firstborn. <a href="/wbt/1_chronicles/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Now the sons of Reuben the first-born of Israel, (for he was the first-born; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his birth-right was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birth-right.<div class="vheading2">Majority Text Translations</div><a href="/msb/1_chronicles/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> These were the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. Though he was the firstborn, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, because Reuben defiled his father’s bed. So he is not reckoned according to birthright. <a href="/web/1_chronicles/5.htm">World English Bible</a> The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn, but because he defiled his father’s couch, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel; and the genealogy is not to be listed according to the birthright. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_chronicles/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> As for sons of Reuben, firstborn of Israel—for he [is] the firstborn, and on account of his profaning the bed of his father his birthright has been given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, and [he is] not to be reckoned by genealogy for the birthright, <a href="/ylt/1_chronicles/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> As to sons of Reuben, first-born of Israel -- for he is the first-born, and on account of his profaning the couch of his father hath his birthright been given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, and he is not to be reckoned by genealogy for the birthright, <a href="/slt/1_chronicles/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And the sons of Reuben the first-born of Israel, (for he the firstborn; and in his defiling his father's bed, the birth-right was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel; and not to be enrolled for the birthright.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_chronicles/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Now the sons of Ruben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was his firstborn: but forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his first birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel, and he was not accounted for the firstborn. <a href="/cpdv/1_chronicles/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Also, there were the sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel. For indeed, he was his firstborn, but when he had violated the bed of his father, his right as firstborn was given to the sons of Joseph, the son of Israel, and he was not reputed as firstborn. <a href="/nabre/1_chronicles/5.htm">New American Bible</a> The sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel. (He was indeed the firstborn, but because he defiled the couch of his father his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph, son of Israel, so that he is not listed in the family records according to his birthright. <a href="/nrsvce/1_chronicles/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. (He was the firstborn, but because he defiled his father’s bed his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, so that he is not enrolled in the genealogy according to the birthright;<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_chronicles/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> NOW the sons of Reuben the first-born of Israel (for he was the first-born of his father; but, because he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph his brother, the son of Israel; and upon his two sons came the blessings more than all the tribes of Israel. <a href="/hpbt/1_chronicles/5.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And the sons of Rubil, the firstborn of Israel, because he was the firstborn of his father and he despised the bed of his father, his birthright was given to Yoseph his brother, son of Israel, and upon these two came a blessing from all the tribes of Israel.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/1_chronicles/5.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And the sons of Reuben the first-born of Israel--for he was the first-born; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father's couch, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel, yet not so that he was to be reckoned in the genealogy as first-born. <a href="/sep/1_chronicles/5.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And the sons of Ruben the first-born of Israel (for he was the first-born; but because of his going up to his father's couch, his father gave his blessing to his son Joseph, even the son of Israel; and he was not reckoned as first-born; <a href="/parallel/1_chronicles/5-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wtNNY-qpWWI?start=1334" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_chronicles/5.htm">The Descendants of Reuben</a> 1<a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ū·ḇə·nê (Conj-w:: N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">These were the sons</a> <a href="/hebrew/7205.htm" title="7205: rə·’ū·ḇên (N-proper-ms) -- From the imperative of ra'ah and ben; see ye a son; Reuben, a son of Jacob.">of Reuben</a> <a href="/hebrew/1060.htm" title="1060: bə·ḵō·wr- (N-msc) -- First-born. From bakar; firstborn; hence, chief.">the firstborn</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">of Israel.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hū (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">Though he</a> <a href="/hebrew/1060.htm" title="1060: hab·bə·ḵō·wr (Art:: N-ms) -- First-born. From bakar; firstborn; hence, chief.">was the firstborn,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1062.htm" title="1062: bə·ḵō·rā·ṯōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- The right of first- born. Or bkorah; feminine of bkowr; the firstling of man or beast; abstractly primogeniture.">his birthright</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: nit·tə·nāh (V-Nifal-Perf-3fs) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">was given</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: liḇ·nê (Prep-l:: N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">to the sons</a> <a href="/hebrew/3130.htm" title="3130: yō·w·sêp̄ (N-proper-ms) -- Future of yacaph; let him add; Joseph, the name of seven Israelites.">of Joseph</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ben- (N-msc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">son</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">of Israel,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2490.htm" title="2490: ū·ḇə·ḥal·lə·lōw (Conj-w, Prep-b:: V-Piel-Inf:: 3ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to bore, i.e. to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane, to break, to begin; denom. to play.">because Reuben defiled</a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ā·ḇîw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">his father’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/3326.htm" title="3326: yə·ṣū·‘ê (N-mpc) -- A couch, bed. Passive participle of yatsa'; spread, i.e. A bed; an extension, i.e. Wing or lean-to.">bed.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">So he is not</a> <a href="/hebrew/3187.htm" title="3187: lə·hiṯ·ya·ḥêś (Prep-l:: V-Hitpael-Inf) -- A primitive root; to sprout; used only as denominative from yachas; to enroll by pedigree.">reckoned</a> <a href="/hebrew/1062.htm" title="1062: lab·bə·ḵō·rāh (Prep-l, Art:: N-fs) -- The right of first- born. Or bkorah; feminine of bkowr; the firstling of man or beast; abstractly primogeniture.">according to birthright.</a> 2And though Judah prevailed over his brothers and a ruler came from him, the birthright belonged to Joseph.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/genesis/49-3.htm">Genesis 49:3-4</a> Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power. / Uncontrolled as the waters, you will no longer excel, because you went up to your father’s bed, onto my couch, and defiled it. <a href="/genesis/35-22.htm">Genesis 35:22</a> 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: <a href="/genesis/48-15.htm">Genesis 48:15-22</a> Then he blessed Joseph and said: “May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, / the angel who has redeemed me from all harm—may He bless these boys. And may they be called by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they grow into a multitude upon the earth.” / When Joseph saw that his father had placed his right hand on Ephraim’s head, he was displeased and took his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s. ... <a href="/genesis/29-32.htm">Genesis 29:32</a> 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.” <a href="/genesis/30-1.htm">Genesis 30:1-24</a> When Rachel saw that she was not bearing any children for Jacob, she envied her sister. “Give me children, or I will die!” she said to Jacob. / Jacob became angry with Rachel and said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld children from you?” / Then she said, “Here is my maidservant Bilhah. Sleep with her, that she may bear children for me, so that through her I too can build a family.” ... <a href="/genesis/41-51.htm">Genesis 41:51-52</a> Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, saying, “God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s household.” / And the second son he named Ephraim, saying, “God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.” <a href="/genesis/46-8.htm">Genesis 46:8-27</a> Now these are the names of the sons of Israel (Jacob and his descendants) who went to Egypt: Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn. / The sons of Reuben: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi. / The sons of Simeon: Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanite woman. ... <a href="/genesis/48-5.htm">Genesis 48:5</a> And now your two sons born to you in Egypt before I came to you here shall be reckoned as mine; Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mine, just as Reuben and Simeon are mine. <a href="/genesis/49-22.htm">Genesis 49:22-26</a> Joseph is a fruitful vine—a fruitful vine by a spring, whose branches scale the wall. / The archers attacked him with bitterness; they aimed at him in hostility. / Yet he steadied his bow, and his strong arms were tempered by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, in the name of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, ... <a href="/deuteronomy/21-15.htm">Deuteronomy 21:15-17</a> If a man has two wives, one beloved and the other unloved, and both bear him sons, but the unloved wife has the firstborn son, / when that man assigns his inheritance to his sons he must not appoint the son of the beloved wife as the firstborn over the son of the unloved wife. / 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. <a href="/1_chronicles/2-1.htm">1 Chronicles 2:1-2</a> These were the sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, / Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. <a href="/1_chronicles/26-10.htm">1 Chronicles 26:10</a> Hosah the Merarite also had sons: Shimri the first (although he was not the firstborn, his father had appointed him as the first), <a href="/1_kings/11-11.htm">1 Kings 11:11-13</a> Then the LORD said to Solomon, “Because you have done this and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant. / Nevertheless, for the sake of your father David, I will not do it during your lifetime; I will tear it out of the hand of your son. / Yet I will not tear the whole kingdom away from him. I will give one tribe to your son for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen.” <a href="/1_kings/11-31.htm">1 Kings 11:31-32</a> and said to Jeroboam, “Take ten pieces for yourself, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and I will give you ten tribes. / But one tribe will remain for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, the city I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel. <a href="/1_kings/12-20.htm">1 Kings 12:20-21</a> When all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned, they summoned him to the assembly and made him king over all Israel. Only the tribe of Judah followed the house of David. / And when Rehoboam arrived in Jerusalem, he mobilized the whole house of Judah and the tribe of Benjamin—180,000 chosen warriors—to fight against the house of Israel and restore the kingdom to Rehoboam son of Solomon.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but for as much as he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright.A.<a href="/1_chronicles/2-1.htm">1 Chronicles 2:1</a> These are the sons of Israel; Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun,<a href="/genesis/29-32.htm">Genesis 29:32</a> 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.<a href="/genesis/46-8.htm">Genesis 46:8</a> And these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt, Jacob and his sons: Reuben, Jacob's firstborn.forasmuch.<a href="/genesis/35-22.htm">Genesis 35:22</a> 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:<a href="/genesis/49-4.htm">Genesis 49:4</a> Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father's bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch.<a href="/leviticus/18-8.htm">Leviticus 18:8</a> The nakedness of thy father's wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy father's nakedness.birthright.<a href="/1_chronicles/26-10.htm">1 Chronicles 26:10</a> Also Hosah, of the children of Merari, had sons; Simri the chief, (for though he was not the firstborn, yet his father made him the chief;)<a href="/genesis/48-15.htm">Genesis 48:15-22</a> And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day, … <a href="/deuteronomy/21-17.htm">Deuteronomy 21:17</a> But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his.and.<a href="/genesis/25-23.htm">Genesis 25:23</a> And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.<a href="/1_samuel/16-6.htm">1 Samuel 16:6-11</a> And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD'S anointed is before him… reckoned.<a href="/joshua/14-6.htm">Joshua 14:6</a> Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the LORD said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadeshbarnea.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_kings/9-16.htm">Bed</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-17.htm">Birthright</a> <a href="/genesis/43-33.htm">Birth-Right</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-32.htm">Couch</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-16.htm">Defiled</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-23.htm">Enrolled</a> <a href="/2_kings/24-17.htm">Father's</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/4-4.htm">Firstborn</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/4-4.htm">First-Born</a> <a href="/2_kings/1-16.htm">Forasmuch</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/4-33.htm">Genealogical</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/4-33.htm">Genealogy</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/4-10.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/2-2.htm">Joseph</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/4-41.htm">Listed</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/2-35.htm">Marriage</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/4-4.htm">Oldest</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-16.htm">Polluted</a> <a href="/2_kings/22-7.htm">Reckoned</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/2-1.htm">Reuben</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_chronicles/14-5.htm">Bed</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/5-2.htm">Birthright</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/5-2.htm">Birth-Right</a> <a href="/esther/7-8.htm">Couch</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/36-14.htm">Defiled</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/5-17.htm">Enrolled</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/7-2.htm">Father's</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/5-3.htm">Firstborn</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/5-3.htm">First-Born</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/6-8.htm">Forasmuch</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/5-7.htm">Genealogical</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/5-7.htm">Genealogy</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/5-3.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/5-2.htm">Joseph</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/5-7.htm">Listed</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/18-1.htm">Marriage</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/5-3.htm">Oldest</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/36-14.htm">Polluted</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/5-7.htm">Reckoned</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/5-3.htm">Reuben</a><div class="vheading2">1 Chronicles 5</div>1. <a href="/1_chronicles/5-1.htm">Judah and Joseph preferred before Reuben, who forfeited his birthright.</a> 3. <a href="/1_chronicles/5-3.htm">Ruben's descendants; some of whom vanquish the Hagarites.</a> 11. <a href="/1_chronicles/5-11.htm">The chief men of Gad, and their habitations.</a> 18. <a href="/1_chronicles/5-18.htm">Ruben, Gad, and half of Manasseh, obtain a victory over the Hagarites.</a> 23. <a href="/1_chronicles/5-23.htm">The habitations and chief men of that half of Manasseh.</a> 25. <a href="/1_chronicles/5-25.htm">The captivity of the two tribes and half, for their sins.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_chronicles/5.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_chronicles/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_chronicles/5.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>These were the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. Reuben was the firstborn son of Jacob (Israel) and Leah. As the firstborn, Reuben held a position of prominence and was expected to inherit a double portion of his father's estate, as was customary in ancient Near Eastern cultures. The tribe of Reuben settled east of the Jordan River, in a region that is part of modern-day Jordan. This area was known for its pastoral lands, suitable for the large flocks and herds of the Reubenites.Though he was the firstborn, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, Reuben lost his birthright due to his sin against his father, Jacob. The birthright, which included leadership and a double portion of inheritance, was transferred to Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. This transfer is significant in the biblical narrative, as it highlights the theme of God's sovereignty in choosing leaders and blessing those who are faithful. Joseph's elevation is a type of Christ, as he was rejected by his brothers but later became their savior.because Reuben defiled his father’s bed. Reuben's transgression is recorded in <a href="/genesis/35-22.htm">Genesis 35:22</a>, where he slept with Bilhah, his father's concubine. This act was seen as a grave dishonor and a challenge to his father's authority. In the cultural context of the time, such an act was not only a personal sin but also a violation of family and social order. It demonstrated a lack of respect and self-control, disqualifying Reuben from the privileges of the firstborn.So he is not reckoned according to birthright. Reuben's exclusion from the birthright is a reminder of the consequences of sin and the importance of integrity and obedience to God's commands. The narrative underscores the biblical principle that God's blessings and leadership roles are not based solely on human traditions or birth order but on faithfulness and righteousness. This principle is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus teaches that the last shall be first, and the first shall be last (<a href="/matthew/19-30.htm">Matthew 19:30</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/r/reuben.htm">Reuben</a> The firstborn son of Jacob (Israel) and Leah. Reuben's actions led to the loss of his birthright. 2. <a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob (Israel)</a> The patriarch whose twelve sons became the tribes of Israel. He is the father of Reuben and Joseph. 3. <a href="/topical/j/joseph.htm">Joseph</a> The eleventh son of Jacob, who received the birthright that was originally Reuben's due to Reuben's transgression. 4. <a href="/topical/b/birthright.htm">Birthright</a> A significant inheritance and leadership position traditionally given to the firstborn son in Hebrew culture. 5. <a href="/topical/d/defilement_of_the_father's_bed.htm">Defilement of the Father’s Bed</a> Refers to Reuben's sin of sleeping with Bilhah, his father's concubine, which led to the loss of his birthright.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_sin.htm">The Consequences of Sin</a> Reuben's loss of his birthright serves as a reminder that sin can have lasting consequences, affecting not only the individual but also future generations. <a href="/topical/t/the_sovereignty_of_god.htm">The Sovereignty of God</a> Despite human failings, God's purposes prevail. Joseph's rise to prominence was part of God's plan for Israel. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_integrity.htm">The Importance of Integrity</a> Reuben's account underscores the need for personal integrity and faithfulness, especially in positions of leadership. <a href="/topical/g/god's_grace_and_redemption.htm">God's Grace and Redemption</a> Although Reuben lost his birthright, God continued to work through his descendants, showing that redemption is always possible. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_firstborn.htm">The Role of the Firstborn</a> The cultural and spiritual significance of the firstborn's role in biblical times highlights the importance of responsibility and privilege.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_chronicles_5.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Chronicles 5</a> <a href="/q/why_is_reuben's_birthright_given_to_joseph.htm">In 1 Chronicles 5:1, why is Reuben’s birthright transferred to Joseph instead of Judah, given other texts stress Judah’s prominence? </a> <a href="/q/does_1_chron._5_18-19's_44,760_clash_with_data.htm">Does the reported total of 44,760 warriors in 1 Chronicles 5:18-19 contradict archaeological or historical data for that period? </a> <a href="/q/why_does_jacob_adopt_joseph's_sons.htm">Genesis 48:5 – Why does Jacob adopt Joseph’s sons as his own, and does this practice have any verifiable historical precedent? </a> <a href="/q/how_do_blessing_and_birthright_differ.htm">How do a blessing and a birthright differ?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_chronicles/5.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>I.--THE REUBENITES (<a href="/context/1_chronicles/5-1.htm" title="Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but for as much as he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright.">1Chronicles 5:1-10</a>).(1) Reuben the firstborn of Israel.--See <a href="/genesis/49-3.htm" title="Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:">Genesis 49:3</a> : "Reuben, my firstborn thou! my strength, and firstfruits of my manhood;" also <a href="/genesis/29-32.htm" title="And Leah conceived, and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD has looked on my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me.">Genesis 29:32</a>.For he was the firstborn.--The parenthesis is an assertion of the legitimacy of the Davidic monarchy, as against the fact that both Reuben and Joseph had claims prior to those of Judah.He defiled his father's bed.--<a href="/genesis/49-4.htm" title="Unstable as water, you shall not excel; because you went up to your father's bed; then defiled you it: he went up to my couch.">Genesis 49:4</a>, Jacob's curse: "Bubbling like the waters, excel thou not! For thou wentest up thy father's couches. Then thou defiledst my bed" (See <a href="/genesis/35-22.htm" title="And it came to pass, when Israel dwelled 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 35:22</a>). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_chronicles/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 1-10. - THE SONS OF REUBEN. The tribe of Reuben is now taken third in order by the compiler, though Reuben was the first of all the sons of Israel. The distinct statements of vers. 1 and 2, respecting the degradation of Reuben and his loss of the rights of primogeniture, are not to be understood, however, as mentioned in any way to account for his standing third here. That Judah takes in any genealogy the first place needs no other apology than that contained in this passage, "Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler" (i.e. David, and in him "David's greater Son and Lord"). And that Simeon is taken immediately after Judah was natural enough, both because the second place belonged to him, and because his tribe, in journeying, in settlement, and in acknowledged friendship, was so nearly related to that of Judah. It is as an important historical fact, a lesson and stern memento of crime, that the tale of Reuben is here as elsewhere told. Indeed, in the remarkably exalting language applied to Reuben (<a href="/genesis/49-3.htm">Genesis 49:3</a>) by the dying father in those "blessings" of his sons which were so marvellously living with prophecy, that "blessing" seemed weighted with hard reality, and may really carry this meaning: "O Reuben I though thou art my firstborn, though my might and the beginning of my strength, though the excellency of dignity and the excellency of power," yet, because of thy boiling lust (<a href="/genesis/35-22.htm">Genesis 35:22</a>) "thou shall not excel." In that endowing charter of the patriarch's death-bed, the birthright of Reuben is not in so many words given to Joseph and his sons, but what is given to Joseph is so abundant above the lot of all the others, that we find no difficulty in accepting the formal statement of the fact here first found in this passage. The large measure of promise meted to Judah (<a href="/genesis/49-8.htm">Genesis 49:8-12</a>) rests, no doubt, upon the title already referred to. There would seem to be also a righteous moral reason in Joseph after all becoming heir to the birthright, inasmuch as he was the eldest child of her who was Israel's real love, and who, but for deception and sharp practice, would have been his first wife. How he remembered her, and with what determined practical consequence, the affecting passage, <a href="/genesis/48-1.htm">Genesis 48:1-7, 16, 21, 22</a>, sufficiently reveals; yet comp. <a href="/deuteronomy/21-15.htm">Deuteronomy 21:15-17</a>. The meaning of the last clause of ver. 1 is evidently that, though thus Reuben was the natural firstborn, and Joseph had really the birthright, the registration did not proceed in this instance (probably partly for the very reason of the ambiguity) by the order of birthright, but everything yielded to the special call for precedence on the part of Judah (ver. 2). <a href="/commentaries/1_chronicles/5-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>These were the sons וּבְנֵ֨י (ū·ḇə·nê) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son of Reuben רְאוּבֵ֥ן (rə·’ū·ḇên) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7205.htm">Strong's 7205: </a> Reuben -- 'behold a son!' oldest son of Jacob, also his desc the firstborn בְּכֽוֹר־ (bə·ḵō·wr-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1060.htm">Strong's 1060: </a> Firstborn, chief of Israel. יִשְׂרָאֵל֮ (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc Though he ה֣וּא (hū) Pronoun - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> He, self, the same, this, that, as, are was the firstborn, הַבְּכוֹר֒ (hab·bə·ḵō·wr) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1060.htm">Strong's 1060: </a> Firstborn, chief his birthright בְּכֹ֣רָת֔וֹ (bə·ḵō·rā·ṯōw) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1062.htm">Strong's 1062: </a> The firstling of man, beast, primogeniture was given נִתְּנָה֙ (nit·tə·nāh) Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> To give, put, set to the sons לִבְנֵ֥י (liḇ·nê) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son of Joseph יוֹסֵ֖ף (yō·w·sêp̄) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3130.htm">Strong's 3130: </a> Joseph -- 'he increases', a son of Jacob, also the name of several Israelites son בֶּן־ (ben-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son of Israel, יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc because Reuben defiled וּֽבְחַלְּלוֹ֙ (ū·ḇə·ḥal·lə·lōw) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2490.htm">Strong's 2490: </a> To bore, to wound, to dissolve, to profane, to break, to begin, to play his father’s אָבִ֔יו (’ā·ḇîw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> Father bed. יְצוּעֵ֣י (yə·ṣū·‘ê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3326.htm">Strong's 3326: </a> Spread, a bed, an extension, wing, lean-to So he is not וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no reckoned לְהִתְיַחֵ֖שׂ (lə·hiṯ·ya·ḥêś) Preposition-l | Verb - Hitpael - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3187.htm">Strong's 3187: </a> To enroll oneself or be enrolled by genealogy according to birthright. לַבְּכֹרָֽה׃ (lab·bə·ḵō·rāh) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1062.htm">Strong's 1062: </a> The firstling of man, beast, primogeniture <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_chronicles/5-1.htm">1 Chronicles 5:1 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_chronicles/5-1.htm">1 Chronicles 5:1 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_chronicles/5-1.htm">1 Chronicles 5:1 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_chronicles/5-1.htm">1 Chronicles 5:1 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_chronicles/5-1.htm">1 Chronicles 5:1 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_chronicles/5-1.htm">1 Chronicles 5:1 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_chronicles/5-1.htm">1 Chronicles 5:1 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_chronicles/5-1.htm">1 Chronicles 5:1 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_chronicles/5-1.htm">1 Chronicles 5:1 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_chronicles/5-1.htm">1 Chronicles 5:1 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/5-1.htm">OT History: 1 Chronicles 5:1 The sons of Reuben the firstborn (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_chronicles/4-43.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Chronicles 4:43"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Chronicles 4:43" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_chronicles/5-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Chronicles 5:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Chronicles 5:2" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>