Reuben
Reuben in the Bible — firstborn son of Jacob (GEN 29:32), son of Leah. Reuben belonged to the tribe of Reuben. Referenced in 26 scripture passages.
Name meaning: “who sees the son; the vision of the son”
Profile
- Gender
- male
- Tribe
- Reuben
- Scripture References
- 26 references
- Known Names
- 1 name
- Relationships
- 25 connections
Biography
The firstborn son of Jacob and Leah, Reuben should have received the birthright and double portion. However, he lost these privileges after sleeping with his father's concubine Bilhah. Despite this, he later tried to save Joseph from his brothers and offered his own sons as guarantee for Benjamin's safety.
Significance
Reuben's loss of the birthright demonstrates that God's choices are not determined by human birth order but by His sovereign will and human character.
Key Events
Names & Labels (1)
- Hebrew
- רְאוּבֵן
- Transliteration
- rəuven
- Meaning
- see, a son
- Greek
- Ρουβην
- Reference
- GEN 29:32
- Strong's
- H7205
Family & Relationships (25)
brother
half-brother
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Reuben in the Bible?
Reuben is described in the Bible as firstborn son of Jacob (GEN 29:32), son of Leah. Reuben belonged to the tribe of Reuben.
What does the name Reuben mean?
The name Reuben means “who sees the son; the vision of the son” according to Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary.