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Matthew Henry Commentary on the Bible

Genesis 49:3-7

3-7 Reuben was the first-born; but by gross sin, he forfeited the birthright. The character of Reuben is, that he was unstable as water. Men do not thrive, because they do not fix. Reuben's sin left a lasting infamy upon his family. Let us never do evil, then we need not fear being told of it. Simeon and Levi were passionate and revengeful. The murder of the Shechemites is a proof of this. Jacob protested against that barbarous act. Our soul is our honour; by its powers we are distinguished from, and raised above, the beasts that perish. We ought, from our hearts, to abhor all bloody and mischievous men. Cursed be their anger. Jacob does not curse their persons, but their lusts. I will divide them. The sentence as it respects Levi was turned into a blessing. This tribe performed an acceptable service in their zeal against the worshippers of the golden calf, Genesis 49:32. Being set apart to God as priests, they were in that character scattered through the nation of Israel.

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See also Genesis 49:3-7 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    3. Reuben, my first-born art thou! My might, and the prime of my strength, Excelling in eminence, and excelling in power: 4. Pouring out like the waters:-thou shalt not excel, For thou wentest up...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    - Jacob Blesses His Sons 5. מכרה _m__e__kêrāh_, “weapon;” related: כיר _kārar_ or כרה _kārāh_ dig. “Device, design?” related: מכר _mākar_ “sell,” in Arabic “take counsel. Habitation.” 10. מחקק...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    CHAPTER 49 JACOB'S PROPHECY _ 1. The call of Jacob: “Gather yourselves together” (Genesis 49:1)_ 2. The prophecy concerning his sons (Genesis 49:3) Reuben (Genesis 49:3) Simeon and Levi ...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    THE BLESSING OF JACOB. This poem had an independent origin, but if it was incorporated in one of the main documents it would be in J. It is not a mere collection of originally isolated utterances on t...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    REUBEN, &C.— Dr. Durell observes on this prophecy, that in the former part "Jacob dwells on the circumstance of Reuben's primogeniture, and, by the affectionate manner in which he expresses himself, s...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    PART FORTY-SEVEN THE LAST DAYS OF JACOB AND JOSEPH (Genesis 48:1 to Genesis 50:26) The Biblical Account 48 And it came to pass after these things, that one said to Joseph, Behold, thy father is sick:...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    _REUBEN, THOU ART MY FIRSTBORN, MY MIGHT, AND THE BEGINNING OF MY STRENGTH, THE EXCELLENCY OF DIGNITY, AND THE EXCELLENCY OF POWER:_ Reuben, thou art my first-born. In polygamous families there are s...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    JACOB BLESSES HIS TWELVE SONS It is generally considered that in its present form, this chapter gives us indeed the last utterances of the dying patriarch respecting the future of his sons, but with a...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    Before Jacob died, he gave his *blessing as the father of the family. A father’s *blessing was very important. (See Isaac’s *blessing in Genesis 27:26-40.) God told Jacob what he should say. Therefore...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    GOD’S ANCIENT PEOPLE GENESIS _ALUN OWEN_ CHAPTER 49 JACOB BLESSES HIS SONS V1 Then Jacob called his sons. He said to them, ‘Gather yourselves together. I will tell you what shall happen to you in...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    THE BEGINNING OF MY STRENGTH. — In Genesis 35:18, the word _oni_ means “my sorrow,” and it is so translated here by the Vulg., Aquila, and Symmachus. But in this verse Jacob magnifies the prerogatives...

  • ETCBC data on Hebrew bible

    רְאוּבֵן֙ בְּכֹ֣רִי אַ֔תָּה כֹּחִ֖י וְ רֵאשִׁ֣ית...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    THE BLESSINGS OF THE TRIBES Genesis 48:1; Genesis 49:1 JACOB'S blessing of his sons marks the close of the patriarchal dispensation. Henceforth the channel of God's blessing to man does not consist o...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    JACOB FORETELLS THE FUTURE OF HIS SONS Genesis 49:1 Once more Joseph visited his father's dying-bed. This was the third time and the last. He stood as one of twelve strong bearded men, gathered aroun...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    Before his passing, Jacob, in forecasting the future of his sons, based what he had to say on what he had already seen in them. In some cases the allusions are difficult to follow, and the connection...

  • Gary Hampton Commentaries

    JACOB'S FINAL DAYS The writer gives a brief record of the rest of Jacob's life before he gives details of the events surrounding the time of his death. Jacob lived seventeen more years in Egypt and s...

  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

    Reuben, thou [art] my firstborn, my (b) might, and the beginning of my strength, (c) the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power: (b) Begotten in my youth. (c) If you have not left your b...

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    My strength, &c. He calls him his strength, as being born whilst his father was in his full strength and vigour; he calls him the beginning of his sorrow, because cares and sorrows usually come on wit...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    Proverbs 4:1 It is remarkable that from this tribe of Israel, there never arose a governor, a prophet, or prince. And it is as remarkable that the Reubenites chose their settlement on the other side o...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    Having already shown the position of Isaac, I resume briefly with the remark that he stands before us clearly as the representative of the Son, and this too as dead, risen, and in heaven. All will und...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    3._Reuben, thou art my first-born _He begins with the first-born, not for the sake of honor, to confirm him in his rank; but that he may the more completely cover him with shame, and humble him by jus...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    THE FOLLOWING COMMENTARY COVERS CHAPTER S 48, 49, AND 50. Lastly, in chapter 48 besides the prophetical character important in the history of Israel we see Joseph as heir; the double portion (mark of...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    REUBEN, THOU ART MY FIRSTBORN,.... Jacob addressed himself to Reuben first, in the presence of his brethren, owned him as his firstborn, as he was, Genesis 29:31 did not cashier him from his family, n...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    Reuben, thou [art] my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power: Ver. 3. _My might, and beginning of my strength._] _Nate meae vire...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might_ Begotten in the prime and vigour of my days; _the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power_ Such were the prerogatives of the birthright, which he w...

  • KJV Original Language Details

    1 Iacob calleth his sonnes to blesse them. 3 Their blessing in particular. 29 He chargeth them about his buriall. 33 He dieth. 1 AND Iacob called vnto his sonnes, and said, Gather your selues toge...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    The Blessing upon Reuben...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    Reuben, thou art my first-born, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power. Jacob speaks with deep feeling: Reuben, my first-born thou, my might...

  • Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures

    TENTH SECTION _Jacob’s blessing of his sons. Judah and his brethren. Jacob’s last arrangements. His burial in Canaan. His death._ GENESIS 49:1-33 1And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yo...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    JACOB'S PROPHECY AS TO THE TWELVE TRIBES (vs.1-28) After a life of many failures and troubles, the last days of Jacob stand out in bright relief. His perception of God's ways became much more clear a...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    THE BEGINNING OF MY STRENGTH; the first instance or evidence of my might or strength, or of that masculine rigour whereby God enabled me to beget a child. Compare DEUTERONOMY 21:17 PSALMS 105:36. Or t...

  • Notes on the Pentateuch by Charles Henry Mackintosh

    On which we shall dwell more particularly. There is not in scripture a more perfect and beautiful type of Christ than Joseph. Whether we view Christ as the object of the Father's love, the object of t...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Genesis 49:3 Reuben H7205 firstborn H1060 might H3581 beginning H7225 strength H202 excellency H3499 dignity H7613 excellency...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    “Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might and the beginning of my power, Pre-eminent in dignity, and pre-eminent in strength, Uncontrolled as water you will not be pre-eminent, Because you went up to...

  • Sermon Bible Commentary

    Genesis 48 and 49 _(with Deuteronomy 33and Judges 5)_ Jacob's blessing of his sons marks the close of the patriarchal dispensation. Henceforth the channel of God's blessing to man does not consist of...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Genesis 49:1. _And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days. Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    L, 2. _And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last day. Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; an...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Jacob's dying blessing, prophetic of the tribes of Israel. CHARACTERS: Jacob, twelve sons. CONCLUSION: It is a great blessing to attend upon Godly parents in their last hours that we might...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Genesis 49:2. _Gather yourselves together._ This phrase implies that they should come purified, and prepared for instruction. Genesis 49:3. _Reuben._ Jacob here seems to enumerate the excellencies of...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 49:3 REUBEN’S special standing as the FIRSTBORN is taken away because of his shocking behavior with Jacob’s concubine, Bilhah ...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Genesis 49:3_ THE BLESSING OF REUBEN We seem to have in this, as in other instances, words of cursing rather than of blessing. But in Genesis 49:28, Jacob’s speech...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION GENESIS 49:1 AND JACOB (having closed his interview with Joseph and his two sons) CALLED (by means of messengers) UNTO HIS SONS (_i.e._ the others who were then absent), AND SAID, GATHER Y...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    And Jacob called his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days (Genesis 49:1). This is probably the grandest hour of the old man Jaco...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    my firstborn. Genesis 29:32 Genesis 46:8 Genesis 48:18 Numbers 1:20 Numbers

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    Reuben thou art my first — born — Jacob here puts upon him the ornaments of the birth — right, that he and all his brethren might see what he had forfeited and in that might see the evil of his sin. A...

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