Reuben

Reuben

Meaning: "See, a son!" (Genesis 29:32)

Symbol: Water (or mandrake plant; Genesis 30:14)

Stone/Color: Turquois (or emerald) / Greenish-blue (Exodus 28:18)

Family: First son of Jacob, born to Leah (Genesis 29:32)

Size: First Census: 46,500. Second Census: 43,730.

Location: The tribe settled outside the Promised Land, east of the Jordan River in rich pasture lands suitable for their large herds and flocks (Numbers 32:1). Included Mount Nebo from which Moses viewed the Promised Land.

Jacob's Blessing: Jacob called hid firstborn "My might and the beginning of my strength, The excellency of dignity and the excellency of power," (Genesis 43:9) but Reuben had relations with Bilhah, Rachel's handmaiden (Genesis 35:22). So, Jacob rebuked him saying that he is "unstable as water" and he will "not excel" (Genesis 49:4).

Moses' Blessing: “Let Reuben live, and not die, Nor let his men be few.” (Deuteronomy 33:6).

Notable: Reuben intervened on behalf of Joseph to save him from being killed by his brothers. Nevertheless, when Reuben returned, he discovered that his brothers had sold Joseph to slave traders (Genesis 37).

The tribe of Reuben kept their word by helping the other tribes conquer the Promised Land, while they themselves settled outside the land (Numbers 32; Joshua 1:12-18). At other times they seemed indecisive and failed to assist in battle (Judges 5:15-17)

Categories: Bible, Twelve Tribes of Israel