King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ 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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
The sons of Re'uven the firstborn of Isra'el - he was the firstborn, but because he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given to the sons of Yosef the son of Isra'el, though not in such a way as for him to be regarded in the genealogy as the firstborn.
Berean Standard Bible:
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.
American Standard Version:
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.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Now the sons{H1121} of Reuben{H7205} the firstborn{H1060} of Israel{H3478},(for he was the firstborn{H1060}; but, forasmuch as he defiled{H2490} his father's{H1} bed{H3326}, his birthright{H1062} was given{H5414} unto the sons{H1121} of Joseph{H3130} the son{H1121} of Israel{H3478}: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned{H3187} after the birthright{H1062}.
Cross-References (KJV):
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 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.
Genesis 48:15
- 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,
Genesis 48:22
- Moreover I have given to thee one portion above thy brethren, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow.
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:
Genesis 49:4
- 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.
Exodus 6:14
- ¶ These [be] the heads of their fathers' houses: The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel; Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi: these [be] the families of Reuben.
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Commentary for 1 Chronicles 5:1
1 Chronicles 5:1 is a verse that addresses the complex family dynamics and the consequential shifts in inheritance and leadership among the tribes of Israel. The verse begins by acknowledging Reuben as the firstborn son of Israel (Jacob), which traditionally would have granted him a place of prominence and a double portion of the inheritance according to the customs of the time.
However, the verse explicitly mentions Reuben's serious transgression—defiling his father's bed—a reference to the incident recorded in Genesis 35:22, where Reuben slept with Bilhah, one of his father Jacob's concubines. This act of disrespect towards his father had lasting implications for Reuben and his descendants. As a result of this sin, Reuben forfeited his birthright, which was then transferred to the sons of Joseph, another of Jacob's sons.
The verse underscores the principle that moral conduct and respect for authority are critical for leadership and blessings within the Israelite community. It also reflects the theme of divine justice, where actions have consequences that can transcend generations. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of genealogies in the chronicler's era, as they were not merely records of lineage but also carried significant implications for tribal identity, land inheritance, and priestly duties.
In summary, 1 Chronicles 5:1 serves as a historical footnote explaining why the tribe of Reuben, despite being the firstborn, did not enjoy the full privileges of the birthright, which instead were bestowed upon the descendants of Joseph. This shift in the line of succession and inheritance is a pivotal moment in the history of Israel, reflecting the interplay between human actions and divine decrees.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H1121
There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֵּן
Transliteration: bên
Pronunciation: bane
Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. - Strong's Number: H7205
There are 68 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רְאוּבֵן
Transliteration: Rᵉʼûwbên
Pronunciation: reh-oo-bane'
Description: from the imperative of רָאָה and בֵּן; see ye a son; Reuben, a son of Jacob; Reuben. - Strong's Number: H1060
There are 96 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בְּכוֹר
Transliteration: bᵉkôwr
Pronunciation: bek-ore'
Description: from בָּכַר; firstborn; hence, chief; eldest (son), firstborn(-ling). - Strong's Number: H3478
There are 2229 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יִשְׂרָאֵל
Transliteration: Yisrâʼêl
Pronunciation: yis-raw-ale'
Description: from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel. - Strong's Number: H2490
There are 131 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָלַל
Transliteration: châlal
Pronunciation: khaw-lal'
Description: a primitive root (compare חָלָה); also denominative (from חָלִיל); properly, to bore, i.e. (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin (as if by an 'opening wedge'); to play (the flute); begin ([idiom] men began), defile, [idiom] break, defile, [idiom] eat (as common things), [idiom] first, [idiom] gather the grape thereof, [idiom] take inheritance, pipe, player on instruments, pollute, (cast as) profane (self), prostitute, slay (slain), sorrow, stain, wound. - Strong's Number: H1
There are 15773 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָב
Transliteration: ʼâb
Pronunciation: awb
Description: a primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application; chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'. - Strong's Number: H3326
There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָצוּעַ
Transliteration: yâtsûwaʻ
Pronunciation: yaw-tsoo'-ah
Description: passive participle of יַצַע; spread, i.e. a bed; (architecture) an extension, i.e. wing or lean-to (a single story or collectively); bed, chamber, couch. - Strong's Number: H1062
There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בְּכוֹרָה
Transliteration: bᵉkôwrâh
Pronunciation: bek-o-raw'
Description: or (short) בְּכֹרָה; feminine of בְּכוֹר; the firstling of man or beast; abstractly primogeniture; birthright, firstborn(-ling). - Strong's Number: H5414
There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָתַן
Transliteration: nâthan
Pronunciation: naw-than'
Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. - Strong's Number: H3130
There are 193 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יוֹסֵף
Transliteration: Yôwçêph
Pronunciation: yo-safe'
Description: future of יָסַף; let him add (or perhaps simply active participle adding); Joseph, the name of seven Israelites; Joseph. Compare יְהוֹסֵף. - Strong's Number: H3187
There are 20 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָחַשׂ
Transliteration: yâchas
Pronunciation: yaw-khas'
Description: a primitive root; to sprout; used only as denominative from יַחַשׂ; to enroll by pedigree; (number after, number throughout the) genealogy (to be reckoned), be reckoned by genealogies.