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Ῥουβήν (Rhoubēn)

Rhoubēn

Reuben

G4502 · Greek · New Testament · 1 verses

Quick Reference

Language
Koine Greek
Testament
New Testament
Occurrences
1 verses
Root
—

Word Overview

The name Rhoubēn is the Greek form of the Hebrew Reuben, meaning "behold a son." It refers to Jacob’s firstborn child by Leah, who founded one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Although this figure appears frequently in the Old Testament narratives of Genesis, the New Testament records his name only once.

This single occurrence is found in Revelation 7:5, where Reuben is listed among the 144,000 sealed servants from the tribes of Israel. In this apocalyptic context, the name serves as a marker of tribal identity within the symbolic numbering of God’s people, preserving the ancient lineage in a vision of cosmic significance.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The name Reuben carries a simple but profound meaning: "behold a son." In the ancient narrative, this was Leah’s hopeful declaration when her first child was born. It reflects a deep human desire for family, legacy, and divine favor. Though Reuben’s own life story in Genesis includes significant flaws and missed opportunities, his name remains part of Israel’s foundation.

In the New Testament, we encounter this name only once, in Revelation 7:5. Here, it appears not as a biography of a flawed man, but as a seal of identity among the 144,000 servants of God. This listing reminds us that God’s plan encompasses the entirety of His people, preserving their names in a vision of ultimate hope and protection.

For your faith, this connection between the Old Testament patriarch and the New Testament vision offers comfort. It shows continuity in God’s story. Your place in Christ is secured just as surely as these ancient tribes were sealed. You are known, named, and held by the One who keeps His promises across all generations.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • of Reuben1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • Ῥουβὴν1×

Key Verses

  • Revelation of John 7:5
    of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed, of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand, of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand,

    This verse uniquely places Reuben among the sealed servants, marking him as part of the protected people of God in an apocalyptic vision.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Reuben mean?

The name Reuben comes from Hebrew roots meaning "behold a son." It was given by Leah to her firstborn, expressing her hope and joy in motherhood. The Greek form Rhoubēn preserves this original meaning in the New Testament text.

Why is Reuben mentioned only once in the New Testament?

Reuben appears in the New Testament solely in Revelation 7:5. He is listed as one of the tribes from which 12,000 are sealed. This single mention serves to identify his tribal lineage within the symbolic structure of God’s people in the final vision.

How does Reuben relate to the 144,000 in Revelation?

In Revelation 7:5, Reuben is named as one of the twelve tribes contributing 12,000 sealed servants. This listing emphasizes tribal identity and divine protection rather than individual moral character, showing that God includes all His people in His saving plan.

Every Occurrence (1 verses across 1 books)

Revelation of John 1 verse
Revelation of John 7:5

of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed, of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand, of the tribe of Gad twelve…