The Blessing of Reuben
Genesis 49:4
Unstable as water, you shall not excel; because you went up to your father's bed; then defiled you it: he went up to my couch.


I. HIS PRIVILEGES. The first-born. Entitled to

(1)  first rank among his brethren;

(2)  leadership of the tribes;

(3)  a double share of the inheritance (Genesis 27:29; Deuteronomy 21:17).

II. HIS FORFEITURE OF HIS PRIVILEGES.

1. By a foul sin.

2. By his instability of character.

3. By a life of sensuality.

(T. H. Leale.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father's bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch.

WEB: Boiling over as water, you shall not excel; because you went up to your father's bed, then defiled it. He went up to my couch.




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