1 Chronicles 5:1

The Family Line of Reuben

1 Here is a list of the sons of Reuben. First, here are a few things about him. Reuben was the oldest son of Israel. But he had sex with his father's concubine. He made his father's bed "unclean." That's why his rights as the oldest son were given to the sons of Joseph, the son of Israel. So Reuben isn't listed in the family history as the one who had the rights of the oldest son.

1 Chronicles 5:1 Meaning and Commentary

1 Chronicles 5:1

Now the sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel
Are as follow in ( 1 Chronicles 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, ( Genesis 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 beloved wife Rachel and so had a double portion given him; his two sons being equally ranked with the other sons of Jacob, and became distinct tribes, and each had their lot in the land of Canaan, see ( Genesis 48:5 Genesis 48:22 ) compared with ( Deuteronomy 21:17 )

and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright;
or, "but the genealogy" F15; neither after the birthright of Reuben, which he had by nature, being Jacob's firstborn; nor after the birthright of Joseph, which be had by his father's gift, as it might be thought it should; the reason of which follows.


FOOTNOTES:

F15 "Nee tamen", Tigurine version.

1 Chronicles 5:1 In-Context

1 Here is a list of the sons of Reuben. First, here are a few things about him. Reuben was the oldest son of Israel. But he had sex with his father's concubine. He made his father's bed "unclean." That's why his rights as the oldest son were given to the sons of Joseph, the son of Israel. So Reuben isn't listed in the family history as the one who had the rights of the oldest son.
2 Judah was the leader among his brothers. A ruler came from his family line. But the rights of the oldest son belonged to Joseph.
3 Reuben was the oldest son of Israel. Reuben's sons were Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron and Carmi.
4 The family line of Joel includes his son Shemaiah. Gog was the son of Shemaiah. Shimei was the son of Gog.
5 Micah was the son of Shimei. Reaiah was the son of Micah. Baal was the son of Reaiah.
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