Topical Encyclopedia
The term "Reubenite" refers to a member of the tribe of Reuben, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The tribe is named after Reuben, the firstborn son of Jacob and Leah, as recorded in
Genesis 29:32: "And Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben, for she said, 'Because the LORD has looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me.'" .
Ancestry and Tribal CharacteristicsReuben, as the firstborn of Jacob, was initially entitled to the birthright, which included leadership and a double portion of inheritance. However, Reuben forfeited this privilege due to his sin with Bilhah, his father’s concubine, as noted in
Genesis 35:22: "While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went and slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard of it." . This act led to Jacob's rebuke and the transfer of the birthright to Joseph, as described in
1 Chronicles 5:1-2: "Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (he was the firstborn, but because he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph, the son of Israel, so that he is not enrolled in the genealogy according to the birthright)." .
Territory and SettlementThe Reubenites were allocated land on the east side of the Jordan River, as described in
Numbers 32:1-5. This territory included the plains of Moab and extended to the Arnon River. The Reubenites, along with the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, requested this land because it was suitable for their large herds and flocks. Moses granted their request on the condition that they assist the other tribes in conquering the land west of the Jordan, as recorded in
Numbers 32:20-22.
Role in Israel's HistoryThroughout Israel's history, the Reubenites played various roles. During the wilderness journey, they camped on the south side of the tabernacle, as noted in
Numbers 2:10. In the time of the judges, the tribe of Reuben is mentioned in the Song of Deborah, where they are criticized for their indecision during the battle against Sisera: "Among the divisions of Reuben there were great indecisions." (
Judges 5:15-16).
In the monarchy period, the Reubenites were involved in several conflicts. They joined the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh in a war against the Hagrites, achieving victory through divine assistance, as recorded in
1 Chronicles 5:18-22. However, their location made them vulnerable to external threats, and they were among the first tribes to be exiled by the Assyrians, as noted in
1 Chronicles 5:26: "So the God of Israel stirred the spirit of Pul king of Assyria (that is, Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria), and he took the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh into exile." .
Spiritual LegacyThe tribe of Reuben, despite its early promise, serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin and the loss of potential. Jacob's blessing over Reuben in
Genesis 49:3-4 reflects this: "Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power. Uncontrolled as the waters, you will no longer excel, because you went up to your father’s bed, onto my couch and defiled it." . This legacy underscores the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God's commands.
Strong's Hebrew
7877. Shiza -- aReubenite... 7876, 7877. Shiza. 7878 . a
Reubenite. Transliteration: Shiza Phonetic
Spelling: (shee-zaw') Short Definition: Shiza. Word Origin
...1885. Dathan -- aReubenite
... 1884, 1885. Dathan. 1886 . aReubenite. Transliteration: Dathan Phonetic
Spelling: (daw-thawn') Short Definition: Dathan. Word Origin...
5721. Adina -- aReubenite
... 5720, 5721. Adina. 5722 . aReubenite. Transliteration: Adina Phonetic
Spelling: (ad-ee-naw') Short Definition: Adina. Word Origin...
880. Beerah -- "well," aReubenite
... 879, 880. Beerah. 881 . "well," aReubenite. Transliteration: Beerah Phonetic
Spelling: (be-ay-raw') Short Definition: Beerah. Word...
5811. Azaz -- "strong," aReubenite
... 5810, 5811. Azaz. 5812 . "strong," aReubenite. Transliteration: Azaz
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-zawz') Short Definition: Azaz. Word...
468. Elitsur -- "God of (the) rock," aReubenite leader
... 467, 468. Elitsur. 469 . "God of (the) rock," aReubenite leader. Transliteration:
Elitsur Phonetic Spelling: (el-ee-tsoor') Short Definition: Elizur....
7707. Shedeur -- aReubenite
... 7706b, 7707. Shedeur. 7708 . aReubenite. Transliteration: Shedeur Phonetic
Spelling: (shed-ay-oor') Short Definition: Shedeur....
7206. Reubeni -- descendant of Reuben
... Word Origin from Reuben Definition desc. of Reuben NASB Word Usage Reuben (1),
Reubenite (1), Reubenites (16). children of Reuben, Reubenites....
Thesaurus
Reubenite (16 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Reubenite (16 Occurrences). Numbers 26:7 These are
the families of the Reubenites; and those who were numbered
...Adina (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Slender, one of David's warriors (1 Chronicles
11:42), aReubenite. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ADINA....
Reubenites (37 Occurrences)
... etc.). Adina, one of David's mighty men, was aReubenite (1 Chronicles
11:42). Multi-Version Concordance Reubenites (37 Occurrences)....
Nemuel (3 Occurrences)
... 10). (2.) AReubenite, a son of Eliab, and brother of Dathan and Abiram
(Numbers 26:9). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. NEMUEL....
Jeiel (13 Occurrences)
... (3.) 2 Chronicles 29:13. A Levite of the sons of Asaph. (4.) 2 Chronicles
26:11. A scribe. (5.) 1 Chronicles 5:7. AReubenite chief....
Eliab (20 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary To whom God is father. (1.) AReubenite, son
of Pallu (Numbers 16:1, 12; 26:8, 9; Deuteronomy 11:6). (2...
Manassahite (2 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 4:43 Bezer, in the wilderness, in the land of the plain, of theReubenite;
and Ramoth, in Gilead, of the Gadite; and Golan, in Bashan, of the...
Shema (7 Occurrences)
... Rumour. (1.) AReubenite (1 Chronicles 5:8).... (shema`): (1) AReubenite (1 Chronicles
5:8, Codex Vaticanus and Codex Alexandrinus Sama, Lucian, Semeei)....
Shiza (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia SHIZA. shi'-za (shiza; Saiza): AReubenite, one
of David's leading warriors (1 Chronicles 11:42). Multi-Version Concordance...
Micah (54 Occurrences)
... (3.) The first in rank of the priests of the family of Kohathites (1 Chronicles
23:20). (4.) A descendant of Joel theReubenite (1 Chronicles 5:5)....
Resources
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