Reuben

Roo´bin

The firstborn son of Jacob by his wife Leah and the ancestor of the tribe that bears his name (Gen 29:32; Gen 35:23; Gen 46:8; Gen 49:2-3; Exod 1:1-2; Exod 6:14; Num 26:5; 1Chr 2:1; 1Chr 5:1; 1Chr 5:3). Because Reuben has intercourse with his father’s concubine, Rachel’s handmaiden Bilhah, after Rachel’s death (Gen 35:19-22), he forfeits his privileges as firstborn (Gen 37:21-29; Gen 42:22; Gen 42:37).