1 Chronicles 5:1

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.

a. ASV: And the sons of Reuben the first-born of Israel (for he was the first-born; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father’s couch, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel; and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright.

b. YLT: As to sons of Reuben, first-born of Israel -- for he is the first-born, and on account of his profaning the couch of his father hath his birthright been given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, and he is not to be reckoned by genealogy for the birthright,

c. Amplified Bible Classic: Now [we come to] the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. For [Reuben] was the eldest, but because he polluted his father’s couch [with Bilhah his father’s concubine] his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph [favorite] son of Israel; so the genealogy is not to be reckoned according to the birthright.

d. Septuagint: And the sons of Ruben the first-born of Israel (for he [was] the first-born; but because of his going up to his father’s couch, [his father] gave his blessing to his son Joseph, [even] the son of Israel; and he was not reckoned as first-born;

e. Stone Edition Torah/Prophets/Writings: The sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel. (He was the firstborn, but when he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of israel, although not to receive the hereditary right of the firstborn

1. “Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn…”

a.  [Now the] sons [Strong: 1121 bên, bane; from H1129; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.):—afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, (+) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, + (young) bullock, + (young) calf, × came up in, child, colt, × common, × corn, daughter, × of first, firstborn, foal, + very fruitful, + postage, × in, + kid, + lamb, (+) man, meet, +mighty, + nephew, old, (+) people, rebel, + robber, × servant born, × soldier, son, +spark, steward, + stranger, × surely, them of, + tumultuous one, valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.] [The KJV translates Strong's H1121 in the following manner: son (2,978x), children (1,568x), old (135x), first (51x), man (20x), young (18x), young (with H1241) (17x), child (10x), stranger (10x), people (5x), miscellaneous (92x).]

b. [of] Reuben [Strong: 7205 Rᵉʼûwbên, reh-oo-bane'; from the imperative of H7200 and H1121; see ye a son; Reuben, a son of Jacob:—Reuben.] [The KJV translates Strong's H7205 in the following manner: Reuben (72x).

c. [the] firstborn [Strong: 1060 bᵉkôwr, bek-ore'; from H1069; first-born; hence, chief:—eldest (son), firstborn(-ling).] [The KJV translates Strong's H1060 in the following manner: firstborn (101x), firstling (10x), eldest (4x), firstborn (with H1121) (1x), eld est son (1x).]

d. [of] Israel [Strong: 3478 Yisrâʼêl, yis-raw-ale'; from H8280 and H410; he will rule as God; Jisraël, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity:—Israel.] [The KJV translates Strong's H3478 in the following manner: Israel (2,489x), Israelites (16x).]

e. for [Strong: 3588 kiy kee a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet.]

f. he [was] [Strong: 1931 huw' hoo of which the feminine (beyond the Pentateuch) is hiyw {he}; a primitive word, the third person pronoun singular, he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are:--he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who.]

g. [the] firstborn [Strong: 1060 bᵉkôwr, bek-ore'; from H1069; first-born; hence, chief:—eldest (son), firstborn(-ling).] [The KJV translates Strong's H1060 in the following manner: firstborn (101x), firstling (10x), eldest (4x), firstborn (with H1121) (1x), eld est son (1x).]

2. “...but, forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed…”

a. [but forasmuch as he] defiled [Strong: 2490 châlal, khaw-lal'; a primitive root (compare H2470); also denominative (from H2485) properly, to bore, i.e. (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin (as if by an 'opening wedge'); to play (the flute):—begin (× men began), defile, × break, defile, × eat (as common things), × first, × gather the grape thereof, × take inheritance, pipe, player on instruments, pollute, (cast as) profane (self), prostitute, slay (slain), sorrow, stain, wound.] [The KJV translates Strong's H2490 in the following manner: begin (52x), profane (36x), pollute (23x), defile (9x), break (4x), wounded (3x), eat (2x), slay (2x), first (1x), gather grapes (1x), inheritance (1x), began men (1x), piped (1x), players (1x), prostitute (1x), sorrow (1x), stain (1x), eat as common things (1x).]

b. [his] father’s [Strong: 1 ʼâb, awb; a primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application:—chief, (fore-) father(-less), × patrimony, principal.] [ The KJV translates Strong's H1 in the following manner: father (1,205x), chief (2x), families (2x), desire (1x), fatherless (with H369) (1x), forefathers (with H7223) (1x), patrimony (1x), prince (1x), principal (1x).]

c. bed [Strong: 3326 yâtsûwaʻ, yaw-tsoo'-ah; passive participle of H3331; spread, i.e. a bed; (architecture) an extension, i.e. wing or lean-to (a single story or collectively):—bed, chamber, couch.] [The KJV translates Strong's H3326 in the following manner: chamber (6x), bed (4x), couch (1x).]

1). The offense is found in Genesis.

a). 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:

2). As a result of his sin Reuben lost his birthright.

a). Genesis 49:3, 4 Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:

4 Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father's bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch.

b). 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.

3. “...his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel…”

a. [his] birthright [Strong: 1062 bᵉkôwrâh, bek-o-raw'; or (short) בְּכֹרָה bᵉkôrâh; feminine of H1060; the firstling of man or beast; abstractly primogeniture:—birthright, firstborn(-ling).] [The KJV translates Strong's H1062 in the following manner: birthright (9x), firstling (5x), firstborn (1x).]

b. [was] given [Strong: 5414 nâthan, naw-than'; a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.):—add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, × avenge, × be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, × doubtless, × without fail, fasten, frame, × get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), × have, × indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), lie, lift up, make, O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, × pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), sing, slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, × surely, × take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, weep, willingly, withdraw, would (to) God, yield.] [The KJV translates Strong's H5414 in the following manner: give (1,078x), put (191x), deliver (174x), made (107x), set (99x), up (26x), lay (22x), grant (21x), suffer (18x), yield (15x), bring (15x), cause (13x), utter (12x), laid (11x), send (11x), recompense (11x), appoint (10x), shew (7x), miscellaneous (167x).]

c. [unto the] sons [Strong: 1121 bên, bane; from H1129; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.):—afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, (+) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, + (young) bullock, + (young) calf, × came up in, child, colt, × common, × corn, daughter, × of first, firstborn, foal, + very fruitful, + postage, × in, + kid, + lamb, (+) man, meet, +mighty, + nephew, old, (+) people, rebel, + robber, × servant born, × soldier, son, +spark, steward, + stranger, × surely, them of, + tumultuous one, valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.] [The KJV translates Strong's H1121 in the following manner: son (2,978x), children (1,568x), old (135x), first (51x), man (20x), young (18x), young (with H1241) (17x), child (10x), stranger (10x), people (5x), miscellaneous (92x).]

d. [of] Joseph [Strong: 3130 Yôwçêph, yo-safe'; future of H3254; let him add (or perhaps simply active participle adding); Joseph, the name of seven Israelites:—Joseph.] [ The KJV translates Strong's H3130 in the following manner: Joseph (213x).]

e. [the] son [Strong: 1121 bên, bane; from H1129; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.):—afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, (+) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, + (young) bullock, + (young) calf, × came up in, child, colt, × common, × corn, daughter, × of first, firstborn, foal, + very fruitful, + postage, × in, + kid, + lamb, (+) man, meet, +mighty, + nephew, old, (+) people, rebel, + robber, × servant born, × soldier, son, +spark, steward, + stranger, × surely, them of, + tumultuous one, valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.] [The KJV translates Strong's H1121 in the following manner: son (2,978x), children (1,568x), old (135x), first (51x), man (20x), young (18x), young (with H1241) (17x), child (10x), stranger (10x), people (5x), miscellaneous (92x).]

f. [of] Israel [Strong: 3478 Yisrâʼêl, yis-raw-ale'; from H8280 and H410; he will rule as God; Jisraël, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity:—Israel.] [The KJV translates Strong's H3478 in the following manner: Israel (2,489x), Israelites (16x).]

4. “...and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright.”

a. [and the] genealogy [Strong: 3187 yâchas, yaw-khas'; a primitive root; to sprout; used only as denominative from H3188; to enroll by pedigree:—(number after, number throughout the) genealogy (to be reckoned), be reckoned by genealogies.] [The KJV translates Strong's H3187 in the following manner: reckoned by genealogy (12x), genealogy (6x), number...genealogy 2.]

b. [is] not [to be reckoned]  [Strong: 3808 lo' lo or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, + of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.]

c. [after the] birthright [Strong: 1062 bᵉkôwrâh, bek-o-raw'; or (short) בְּכֹרָה bᵉkôrâh; feminine of H1060; the firstling of man or beast; abstractly primogeniture:—birthright, firstborn(-ling).] [The KJV translates Strong's H1062 in the following manner: birthright (9x), firstling (5x), firstborn (1x).]

1). Stone Edition Torah/Prophets/Writings Rabbinic Commentary: The double portion of the inheritance, which normally is the right of the firstborn son, was given to joseph over Rueben, and his descendents were split into two independent tribes, Ephraim and Manasseh. The privilege of royalty, however, which should have gone to the firstborn, was not conferred on Joseph. It was stripped from Rueben nd given to Judah.