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.

Unstable {H6349} as water {H4325}, thou shalt not excel {H3498}; because thou wentest up {H5927} to thy father's {H1} bed {H4904}; then defiledst thou {H2490} it: he went up {H5927} to my couch {H3326}.

Though superior in vigor and power you are unstable as water, so your superiority will end, because you climbed into your father's bed and defiled it -he climbed onto my concubine's couch!

Uncontrolled as the waters, you will no longer excel, because you went up to your father’s bed, onto my couch, and defiled it.

Boiling over as water, thou shalt not have the pre-eminence; Because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed; Then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch.

Commentary

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Cross-References

  • Genesis 35:22 (14 votes)

    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:

  • 1 Chronicles 5:1 (10 votes)

    ¶ 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.

  • Deuteronomy 27:20 (9 votes)

    Cursed [be] he that lieth with his father's wife; because he uncovereth his father's skirt. And all the people shall say, Amen.

  • Deuteronomy 33:6 (6 votes)

    ¶ Let Reuben live, and not die; and let [not] his men be few.

  • 1 Corinthians 5:1 (5 votes)

    ¶ It is reported commonly [that there is] fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.

  • James 1:6 (5 votes)

    But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

  • James 1:8 (5 votes)

    A double minded man [is] unstable in all his ways.