SEV Biblia, Chapter 49:3
Rubén, tú eres mi primogénito, mi fortaleza, y el principio de mi vigor; principal en dignidad, principal en fortaleza.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Genesis 49:3
Verse 3. Reuben as the first-born had a right to a double portion of all that the father had; see Deut. xxi. 17.The eminence or dignity mentioned here may refer to the priesthood; the power, to the regal government or kingdom. In this sense it has been understood by all the ancient Targumists. The Targum of Onkelos paraphrases it thus: ""Thou shouldst have received three portions, the birthright, the priesthood, and the kingdom:"" and to this the Targums of Jonathan ben Uzziel and Jerusalem add: ""But because thou hast sinned, the birthright is given to Joseph, the kingdom to Judah, and the priesthood to Levi."" That the birthright was given to the sons of Joseph we have the fullest proof from 1 Chron. v. 1.
Matthew Henry Commentary
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 lastin infamy upon his family. Let us never do evil, then we need not fea being told of it. Simeon and Levi were passionate and revengeful. The murder of the Shechemites is a proof of this. Jacob protested agains that barbarous act. Our soul is our honour; by its powers we ar distinguished from, and raised above, the beasts that perish. We ought from our hearts, to abhor all bloody and mischievous men. Cursed by their anger. Jacob does not curse their persons, but their lusts. will divide them. The sentence as it respects Levi was turned into blessing. This tribe performed an acceptable service in their zea against the worshippers of the golden calf, Ex 32. Being set apart to God as priests, they were in that character scattered through the nation of Israel.
Original Hebrew
ראובן 7205 בכרי 1060 אתה 859 כחי 3581 וראשׁית 7225 אוני 202 יתר 3499 שׂאת 7613 ויתר 3499 עז׃ 5794
