Cross references: : Gen. 32:22 ; 1 Chron. 5:1 Or, it ceased to be my bed.
Historical and theological verse study from Book of Genesis, Chapter 49.
Apply the spiritual lesson of Genesis 49:4 through prayerful reflection and faithful obedience.
“Gracious Father, write the truth of Genesis 49:4 upon my heart by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Amen.”
“Effusus es sicut aqua, non crescas : quia ascendisti cubile patris tui, et maculasti stratum ejus.”
“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. thou shalt: Heb. do not thou excel he went: or, my couch is gone”
“Uncontrolled as the waters, you will no longer excel, because you went up to your father’s bed, onto my couch, and defiled it.”
“Boiling over like water, you shall not excel; because you went up to your father’s bed, then defiled it. He went up to my couch.”
“Boiling over as water, thou shalt not have the pre-eminence; Because thou wentest up to thy father's bed; Then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch.”
Cross references: : Gen. 32:22 ; 1 Chron. 5:1 Or, it ceased to be my bed.
Cross references: : Gen. 32:22 ; 1 Chron. 5:1 Or, it ceased to be my bed.
Grow thou not. This was not meant by way of a curse or imprecation; but by way of a prophecy, foretelling that the tribe of Ruben should not inherit the pre-eminences usually annexed to the first birth-right, viz., the double portion, the being prince or lord over the other brethren, and the priesthood: of which the double portion was given to Joseph, the princely office to Juda, and the priesthood to Levi. (Challoner) — Thou hast abandoned thyself to thy brutal passion; do so no more, ne adjicias. (St. Jerome, q. Heb.) Let Ruben live, and die not; let him be small in number, Deuteronomy xxxiii. 6. His tribe never became very considerable. (Calmet) — Couch. See chap xxxv. 22. Eternal infamy attends the name of Ruben. (Haydock)
Verses 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, ( Exodus 32 ) . Being set apart to God as priests, they were in that character scattered through the nation of Israel.