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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Genesis 49:3–4

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
¶ Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:
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.
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

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Reference depth

From verse 3

  1. Deuteronomy 21:17Rank 1 from verse 3
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    17But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his.

  2. Psalms 78:51Rank 2 from verse 3
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    51And smote all the firstborn in Egypt; the chief of their strength in the tabernacles of Ham:

  3. Genesis 29:32Rank 3 from verse 3
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    32And 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.

  4. Psalms 105:36Rank 4 from verse 3
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    36He smote also all the firstborn in their land, the chief of all their strength.

  5. 1 Chronicles 2:1Rank 5 from verse 3
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    1THESE are the sons of Israel; Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun,

From verse 4

  1. Genesis 35:22Rank 1 from verse 4
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    22And 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. 1 Chronicles 5:1Rank 2 from verse 4
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    1NOW 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. Deuteronomy 27:20Rank 3 from verse 4
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    20Cursed be he that lieth with his father’s wife; because he uncovereth his father’s skirt. And all the people shall say, Amen.

  4. Deuteronomy 33:6Rank 4 from verse 4
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    6¶ Let Reuben live, and not die; and let not his men be few.

  5. 1 Corinthians 5:1Rank 5 from verse 4
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    1IT is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

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DEFINED WORDS

Genesis 49:3

COMBINED MEANING

thou

↗

The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

art

↗

1. The second-person singular present form of be: are, when one person is addressed. 2. Skill, craft, or skilled workmanship used to make or prepare something.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

might

↗

Sense 1: Power or strength. Sense 2: An auxiliary expressing possibility or permission.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

strength

↗

Power, might, force, ability, firmness, courage, capacity, support, defence, resources, or that by which a person or thing is enabled to stand, act, endure, overcome, or accomplish a work.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

excellency

↗

Surpassing greatness, dignity, superiority, or an eminent and highly valued quality.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

power

↗

Sense 1: Ability, strength, force, or effective capacity to act, prevail, or produce an effect. Sense 2: Authority, right, permission, rule, dominion, or control. Sense 3: A person, authority, host, spiritual being, or other agent possessing or manifesting power.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Genesis 49:4

COMBINED MEANING

water

↗

Sense 1: The common liquid necessary for life. Sense 2: As a verb, to supply with water, irrigate, or cause to drink.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

thou

↗

The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

excel

↗

To surpass, exceed, or be eminent in quality, ability, or achievement.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

bed

↗

Sense 1: A place for rest or sleep. Sense 2: The marriage bed or a place in which something lies. As a verb, to place or lie in a bed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

couch

↗

1. A bed or place for lying, reclining, or resting. 2. To lie down or crouch in a place of rest or concealment.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Cawdrey 1604 · Skeat 1893

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Surrounding Verses

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2Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father.

3¶ Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:

Selected passage

4Unstable 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.

Selected passage

5¶ Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations.

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