Changes

''For the sandwich, see [[Reuben (sandwich)]].''

''For the sandwich, see [[Reuben (sandwich)]]. For the tribe, see [[Reuben (tribe)]]''

'''Reuben''' (Hebrew '''רְאוּבֵן''') was the first-born son of [[Jacob]], and the founder of [[Tribe of Reuben]], one of the [[12 tribes of Israel]]. Reuben was the son of Jacob's first wife [[Leah]]. Although firstborn, Reuben's tribe does not get the rights of the first-born and the line of kings came from his brother [[Judah]]. Reuben is principally know for two incidents in the [[Bible]]: counseling his brothers not to kill [[Joseph]], and for the ambiguous incident in [[Genesis]] 35 where he may have unknowingly committed incest. In the Jewish tradition, the first [[cities of refuge]] for accidental homocide were in Reuben's territory.

'''Reuben''' ([[Hebrew]]: '''רְאוּבֵן''', ''Rəʾûḇēn'', "see a son"), (b.2246 AM or 1759 BC), was the first son of [[Jacob]] and [[Leah]], and the ancestor of the Tribe of [[Reuben (tribe)|Reuben]], one of the [[Twelve Tribes of Israel]]. He was the firstborn of twelve brothers and a sister, but forfeited his birthright in an appalling act of selfishness and disrespect.

 

When he was quite young (about four years old), he went into a field and gathered [[mandrake]]s (''Mandragora officinarum''), a plant rumored to help a barren woman conceive. This occurred during wheat harvest (that is, during the month later known as Sivan)<ref>Bratcher, Dennis. "[http://www.cresourcei.org/calendar.html Hebrew Calendar of the Old Testament]." ''CRI/Voice, Institute'', 2006. Accessed December 27, 2007.</ref> in the year 2251 AM (1754 BC) after Leah had left off bearing children. Rachel demanded a share of the mandrakes, and Leah insisted that Jacob lie with her instead of Rachel. Jacob did, and Leah bore Jacob two more sons and a daughter.

 

As a man, Reuben forfeited his birthright by lying with [[Bilhah]], Rachel's handmaid.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Genesis|chap=35|verses=22}}</ref><ref>{{Bible ref|book=Genesis|chap=49|verses=3-4}}</ref>

 

Reuben partially redeemed himself in the incident involving [[Joseph]] being thrown into the pit. He persuaded his brothers to sell Joseph as a slave, instead of killing him outright. Reuben had hoped to free Joseph, but he was too late. Nevertheless, the first of the Israelite [[cities of refuge]] were located in Reubenite territory, perhaps in honor of Reuben's preservation of Joseph's life.

 

In 2298 AM (1706 BC), Reuben followed his father Jacob into [[Egypt]]. He was 52 years old at this time. With him were at least one regular wife and the following named sons: [[Hanoch (son of Reuben)|Hanoch]], [[Phallu]], [[Hezron (son of Reuben)|Hezron]], and [[Carmi (son of Reuben)|Carmi]].<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Genesis|chap=46|verses=9}}</ref> How long he lived after that, the [[Bible]] does not say.

 

 

 

 

[[Category:Book of Genesis Persons]]

[[Category:Book of Genesis Persons]]

[[Category:Jewish People]]

[[Category:Jewish People]]