Genesis 49:3
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ruben, my firstborn, thou art my strength, and the beginning of my sorrow; excelling in gifts, greater in command.

my firstborn.

Genesis 29:32 And she conceived and bore a son, and called his name Ruben, saying: The Lord saw my affliction: now my husband will love me.

Genesis 46:8 And these are the names of the children of Israel, that entered into Egypt, he and his children. His firstborn Ruben,

Genesis 48:18 And he said to his father: It should not be so, my father; for this is the firstborn, put thy right hand upon his head.

Numbers 1:20 Of Ruben the eldest son of Israel, by their generations and families and houses and names of every head, all that were of the male sex, from twenty years old and upward, that were able to go forth to war,

Numbers 26:5 Ruben the firstborn of Israel. His sons were Henoch, of whom is the family of the Henochites: and Phallu, of whom is the family of the Phalluites:

1 Chronicles 2:1 And these are the sons of Israel: Ruben, Simeon, Levi, Juda, Issachar, and Zabulon,

1 Chronicles 5:1,3 Now the sons of Ruben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was his firstborn: but forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his first birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel, and he was not accounted for the firstborn. . . .

my might.

Deuteronomy 21:17 But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, and shall give him a double portion of all he hath: for this is the first of his children, and to him are due the first birthrights.

Psalm 78:51 And he killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt: the firstfruits of all their labour in the tabernacles of Cham.

Psalm 105:36 And he slew all the firstborn in their land: the firstfruits of all their labour.

Context
Jacob Blesses His Sons
2Gather yourselves together, and hear, O ye sons of Jacob, hearken to Israel, your father: 3Ruben, my firstborn, thou art my strength, and the beginning of my sorrow; excelling in gifts, greater in command.4Thou art poured out as water, grow thou not; because thou wentest up to thy father's bed, and didst defile his couch.…
Cross References
Revelation 3:14
And to the angel of the church of Laodicea write: These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, who is the beginning of the creation of God:

Deuteronomy 21:17
But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, and shall give him a double portion of all he hath: for this is the first of his children, and to him are due the first birthrights.

Deuteronomy 33:6
Let Ruben live, and not die, and be he small in number.

Psalm 78:51
And he killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt: the firstfruits of all their labour in the tabernacles of Cham.

Psalm 105:36
And he slew all the firstborn in their land: the firstfruits of all their labour.

Lexicon
Reuben,
רְאוּבֵן֙ (rə·’ū·ḇên)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew 7205: Reuben -- 'behold a son!' oldest son of Jacob, also his desc

you
אַ֔תָּה (’at·tāh)
Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

are my firstborn,
בְּכֹ֣רִי (bə·ḵō·rî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew 1060: Firstborn, chief

my might,
כֹּחִ֖י (kō·ḥî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew 3581: A small reptile (of unknown species)

and the beginning
וְרֵאשִׁ֣ית (wə·rê·šîṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's Hebrew 7225: The first, in place, time, order, rank

of my strength,
אוֹנִ֑י (’ō·w·nî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew 202: Ability, power, wealth

excelling
יֶ֥תֶר (ye·ṯer)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's Hebrew 3499: An overhanging, an excess, superiority, remainder, a small rope

in honor,
שְׂאֵ֖ת (śə·’êṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew 7613: An elevation, leprous scab, elation, cheerfulness, exaltation in rank, character

excelling
וְיֶ֥תֶר (wə·ye·ṯer)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's Hebrew 3499: An overhanging, an excess, superiority, remainder, a small rope

in power.
עָֽז׃ (‘āz)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew 5794: Strong, vehement, harsh


Additional Translations
Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power.Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:

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.

Ruben, thou art my first-born, thou my strength, and the first of my children, hard to be endured, hard and self-willed.

Reuben, thou art my firstborn, My might, and the firstfruits of my vigour: Excellency of dignity, and excellency of strength.

Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength; The excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power.

Reuben, thou art my first-born, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellence of dignity, and the excellence of power:

"Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength; excelling in dignity, and excelling in power.

Reuben! my first-born thou, My power, and beginning of my strength, The abundance of exaltation, And the abundance of strength;
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Abundance Beginning Dignity Exaltation Excellence Excellency Excelling First Firstborn First-Born First-Fruit Firstfruits First-Fruits Fruits Honor Oldest Power Pre-Eminence Preeminent Pre-Eminent Pride Reuben Sign Strength Vigour
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Abundance Beginning Dignity Exaltation Excellence Excellency Excelling First Firstborn First-Born First-Fruit Firstfruits First-Fruits Fruits Honor Oldest Power Pre-Eminence Preeminent Pre-Eminent Pride Reuben Sign Strength Vigour
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Alphabetical: and are beginning dignity excelling first firstborn honor in might my of power Preeminent Reuben sign strength the you

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