Reuben facts for kids

Reuben was a very important person in the Bible, specifically in the Book of Genesis. He was the first son of Jacob, who was later called Israel, and his first wife, Leah. Being the oldest son meant he had a special place in the family.

Who Was Reuben?

Reuben was the first of Jacob's twelve sons. These sons would later become the leaders of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. His mother, Leah, named him Reuben because she felt that God had seen her sadness. The name "Reuben" sounds like "behold, a son" in Hebrew.

Reuben's Family

Reuben was part of a large family. His father, Jacob, had four wives, though only two were sisters, Leah and Rachel. Jacob also had two concubines, Bilhah and Zilpah. Reuben had many brothers and one sister:

• From Leah: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, and Dinah (his only sister).
• From Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin.
• From Bilhah: Dan and Naphtali.
• From Zilpah: Gad and Asher.

This big family traveled a lot. They lived as nomads, moving their tents and flocks from place to place.

Important Stories About Reuben

Reuben is mentioned in several key stories in the Book of Genesis. These stories show his character and his role in the family.

Saving Joseph

One of the most famous stories involving Reuben is when his brothers planned to harm Joseph. Joseph was Jacob's favorite son, which made his older brothers very jealous. They wanted to kill him. Reuben, as the oldest, tried to protect Joseph. He suggested they throw Joseph into a pit instead of killing him directly. His secret plan was to come back later and rescue Joseph himself.

However, while Reuben was away, the other brothers sold Joseph to some traders who were going to Egypt. When Reuben returned to the pit and found Joseph gone, he was very upset. This shows that Reuben had a good heart and cared about his brother, even when others were filled with anger.

The Mandrakes

Another story involves mandrakes, which were plants believed to help women have children. Reuben found some mandrakes in a field and brought them to his mother, Leah. His aunt Rachel, who had not had children yet, asked Leah for some of the mandrakes. This story shows a small moment of family interaction and the beliefs of the time.

Jacob's Blessing

Before Jacob died, he gave a special blessing to each of his sons. Reuben, as the firstborn, was usually supposed to receive the best blessing. However, Jacob mentioned an earlier event where Reuben had acted disrespectfully. Because of this, Reuben lost some of the special rights that usually belonged to the firstborn son. The leadership role among the brothers later went to Judah, and the double portion of inheritance went to Joseph's sons.

Reuben's Legacy

Even though Reuben lost some of his firstborn rights, he was still the head of one of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. The tribe of Reuben settled on the east side of the Jordan River after the Israelites left Egypt. They were known for their large herds of livestock.

Reuben's story teaches us about family dynamics, forgiveness, and the consequences of our actions. He was a complex character who played an important part in the early history of the Israelite people.