3
Reuben,רְאוּבֵןyouאַתָּהare my firstborn,בְּכֹרִיmy strengthכֹּחִיand the first fruitוְרֵאשִׁיתof my vigor,אוֹנִיpreeminentיֶתֶרin dignityשְׂאֵתand preeminentוְיֶתֶרin power.עָז
Genesis 49:3
Study it in the app“Reuben, you are my firstborn, my strength and the first fruit of my vigor, preeminent in dignity and preeminent in power.”
With the Hebrew beneath
Genesis 49:3, word by word
- Reubenרְאוּבֵןreuven
Reuben
Reuben, the firstborn of Jacob and Leah; also the tribe that came from him. The name sounds like "look, a son!".
Where else “reuven” appears- are my firstbornבְּכֹרִbechori
firstborn
The son who came into the world before his brothers, with a special place in the family.
Where else “bechori” appears- my strengthכֹּחִkochi
strength
Ability to do something: bodily strength or power to command.
Where else “kochi” appears- and the first fruitרֵאשִׁיתreshit
beginning
The beginning: "in the beginning".
Where else “reshit” appears- of my vigorאוֹנִoni
vigor
A person's strength.
Where else “oni” appears- preeminentיֶתֶרyeter
excellence
What stands out above the rest, the best.
Where else “yeter” appears- in dignityשְׂאֵתseet
majesty
Being raised above, first place; God's greatness.
Where else “seet” appears- in powerעָזaz
strong
Having strength to prevail: an enemy, a people or a border hard to overcome.
Where else “az” appears
The context
2Assemble and listen, sons of Jacob; listen to Israel your father.
3 · This verse (above)
4Turbulent as water, you will not have preeminence, because you went up to your father’s bed; then you defiled it; he went up to my couch!
To study Genesis 49 in a group
1. What it says
What did Jacob say about Judah and Joseph in his blessings (vv. 8-12, 22-26)?
2. What it means
What does it show that Jacob gave each son a different blessing (v. 28)?
3. How I live it
How can you recognize what is distinct and unique in each person in your family?