Reuben, son of Israel
The name Reuben means “who sees the son; the vision of the son.” Reuben is mentioned in 70 verses of the Bible, first in Genesis 29:32.
Family of Reuben
Who was Reuben?
Behold a son!, the eldest son of Jacob and Leah (Gen. 29:32). His sinful conduct, referred to in Gen. 35:22, brought down upon him his dying father’s malediction (48:4). He showed kindness to Joseph, and was the means of saving his life when his other brothers would have put him to death (37:21,22). It was he also who pledged his life and the life of his sons when Jacob was unwilling to let Benjamin go down into Egypt. After Jacob and his family went down into Egypt (46:8) no further mention is made of Reuben beyond what is recorded in ch. 49:3,4.
Biography adapted from Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897), public domain, linked via Theographic Bible Metadata.
Key verses about Reuben
- 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 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 35:23
The sons of Leah; Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn, and Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Zebulun:
- 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:
- Exodus 1:2
Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah,
- 1 Chronicles 5:1
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.
Timeline of Reuben's life
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1757 BC | Birth of Reuben |
| 1727 BC | Joseph sold to Egypt |
| 1717 BC | Joseph imprisoned |
| 1707 BC | 7 years of famine |
| 1705 BC | Joseph's brothers return to Egypt |
All 70 verses mentioning Reuben
- Genesis 29:32
- Genesis 30:14
- Genesis 35:22
- Genesis 35:23
- Genesis 37:21
- Genesis 37:22
- Genesis 37:29
- Genesis 42:22
- Genesis 42:37
- Genesis 46:8
- Genesis 46:9
- Genesis 48:5
- Genesis 49:3
- Exodus 1:2
- Exodus 6:14
- Numbers 1:5
- Numbers 1:20
- Numbers 1:21
- Numbers 2:10
- Numbers 2:16
- Numbers 7:30
- Numbers 10:18
- Numbers 13:4
- Numbers 16:1
- Numbers 26:5
- Numbers 32:1
- Numbers 32:2
- Numbers 32:6
- Numbers 32:25
- Numbers 32:29
- Numbers 32:31
- Numbers 32:33
- Numbers 32:37
- Numbers 34:14
- Deuteronomy 11:6
- Deuteronomy 27:13
- Deuteronomy 33:6
- Joshua 4:12
- Joshua 13:15
- Joshua 13:23
- Joshua 15:6
- Joshua 18:7
- Joshua 18:17
- Joshua 20:8
- Joshua 21:7
- Joshua 21:36
- Joshua 22:9
- Joshua 22:10
- Joshua 22:11
- Joshua 22:13
- Joshua 22:15
- Joshua 22:21
- Joshua 22:25
- Joshua 22:30
- Joshua 22:31
- Joshua 22:32
- Joshua 22:33
- Joshua 22:34
- Judges 5:15
- Judges 5:16
- 1 Chronicles 2:1
- 1 Chronicles 5:1
- 1 Chronicles 5:3
- 1 Chronicles 5:18
- 1 Chronicles 6:63
- 1 Chronicles 6:78
- Ezekiel 48:6
- Ezekiel 48:7
- Ezekiel 48:31
- Revelation 7:5