Genesis 49:3
“¶ Reuben, thou art my first borne, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellencie of dignitie, and the excellencie of power:”
1611 King James Version (KJV)
Viewing the original 1611 KJV with archaic English spelling.
Click to switch to the Standard KJV.
Genesis 49:3 Context
1And Iacob called vnto his sonnes, and said, Gather your selues together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last dayes. 2Gather your selues together, and heare ye sonnes of Iacob, and hearken vnto Israel your father. 3¶ Reuben, thou art my first borne, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellencie of dignitie, and the excellencie of power: 4Unstable as water, thou shalt not excell, because thou wentest vp to thy fathers bed: then defiledst thou it. He went vp to my couche. 5¶ Simeon and Leui are brethren, instruments of crueltie are in their habitations.
Share This Verse:
Other Translations for Genesis 49:3
Reuben, thou [art] my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:
- King James Version
"Reuben, you are my firstborn; My might and the beginning of my strength, Preeminent in dignity and preeminent in power.
- New American Standard Version (1995)
Reuben, thou art my first-born, my might, and the beginning of my strength; The pre-eminence of dignity, and the pre-eminence of power.
- American Standard Version (1901)
Reuben, you are my oldest son, the first-fruit of my strength, first in pride and first in power:
- Basic English Bible
Reuben, thou art my firstborn, My might, and the firstfruits of my vigour: Excellency of dignity, and excellency of strength.
- Darby Bible
Reuben, thou art my first-born, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellence of dignity, and the excellence of power:
- Webster's Bible
Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength; excelling in dignity, and excelling in power.
- World English Bible
Reuben! my first-born thou, My power, and beginning of my strength, The abundance of exaltation, And the abundance of strength;
- Youngs Literal Bible
Reuben, thou art my first-born, my might, and the first-fruits of my strength; the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power.
- Jewish Publication Society Bible
Wesley's Notes for Genesis 49:3
49:3 Reuben thou art my first - born - Jacob here puts upon him the ornaments of the birth - right, that he and all his brethren might see what he had forfeited and in that might see the evil of his sin. As the first - born he was his father's joy, being the beginning of his strength. To him belonged the excellency of dignity above his brethren, and some power over them.