רְאוּבֵן (re.u.ven)
re.u.ven
Reuben
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 63 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Reuben, derived from Hebrew roots meaning "behold a son," marks the birth of Jacob’s firstborn by Leah in Genesis 29:32. This declaration reflects Leah’s hope for favor after years of being unloved, turning her grief into joy at the arrival of an heir. The name identifies both the individual patriarch and the tribe that descended from him.
In Scripture, Reuben appears frequently in genealogies and tribal lists, particularly in Numbers and Joshua, where his descendants are noted for settling east of the Jordan River. Despite being the eldest son, he lost his birthright due to personal failures recorded in Genesis 49:3-4, a loss that shaped the tribe’s historical standing. The name thus carries the weight of both initial promise and subsequent consequence.
Translators consistently render this proper noun as Reuben, preserving its identity across generations. Its usage highlights the importance of lineage in biblical narrative, connecting the patriarchs to the formation of Israel’s twelve tribes. The enduring presence of the name underscores how family history remains central to understanding the biblical story.
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 heavy weight of human emotion and consequence. It begins with Leah’s desperate hope for love, marking the arrival of Jacob’s firstborn son as a sign that God sees her affliction. This moment reminds us that our deepest longings for acceptance are known to God, even when they arise from pain or insecurity.
Yet the story does not end with birth. Reuben’s life shows how early promises can be complicated by later failures. His attempt to save Joseph reveals a conscience still active, but his earlier transgression cost him the leadership of the family. This tension between initial promise and subsequent error reflects the complex reality of human character.
For readers today, Reuben illustrates that lineage and identity are significant, but they do not guarantee moral success. His narrative invites reflection on how we respond to our own mistakes and how God’s plans unfold through imperfect people rather than flawless heroes.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 63 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Reuben63×
- like/ Reuben1×
- for/ Reuben1×
- and/ Reuben1×
- O Reuben1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- רְאוּבֵ֔ן9×
- רְאוּבֵ֑ן8×
- רְאוּבֵן֙7×
- רְאוּבֵ֖ן6×
- רְאוּבֵֽן\׃5×
- רְאוּבֵ֨ן5×
- רְאוּבֵ֥ן4×
- רְאוּבֵ֣ן4×
- רְאוּבֵ֤ן3×
- רְאוּבֵ֜ן3×
- רְאוּבֵ֧ן2×
- רְאוּבֵ֛ן2×
Key Verses
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Genesis 29:32
Leah conceived, and bore a son, and she named him Reuben. For she said, “Because Yahweh has looked at my affliction; for now my husband will love me.”
This verse establishes the name's origin, linking it directly to Leah's hope that her husband would now love her.
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Genesis 49:3
“Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, excelling in dignity, and excelling in power.
Jacob’s blessing here acknowledges Reuben’s status as firstborn while simultaneously highlighting the loss of his preeminence due to instability.
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Genesis 37:22
Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood. Throw him into this pit that is in the wilderness, but lay no hand on him”—that he might deliver him out of their hand, to restore him to his father.
Reuben’s intervention to save Joseph shows his attempt to protect his brother, contrasting with the other sons' hostility.
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Numbers 1:20
The children of Reuben, Israel’s firstborn, their generations, by their families, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of the names, one by one, every male from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go out to war:
This census listing reinforces Reuben's continued recognition as Israel's firstborn despite the earlier loss of birthright privileges.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Reuben mean?
Why did Reuben lose his birthright?
Where does Reuben appear most often in the Bible?
How is Reuben different from Judah?
Every Occurrence (63 verses across 7 books)
Genesis 13 verses
Leah conceived, and bore a son, and she named him Reuben. For she said, “Because Yahweh has looked at my affliction;…
Genesis 30:14Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest, and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them to his mother, Leah. Then…
Genesis 35:22While Israel lived in that land, Reuben went and lay with Bilhah, his father’s concubine, and Israel heard of it. Now…
Genesis 35:23The sons of Leah: Reuben (Jacob’s firstborn), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun.
Genesis 37:21Reuben heard it, and delivered him out of their hand, and said, “Let’s not take his life.”
Genesis 37:22Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood. Throw him into this pit that is in the wilderness, but lay no hand on him”—that he…
Genesis 37:29Reuben returned to the pit, and saw that Joseph wasn’t in the pit; and he tore his clothes.
Genesis 42:22Reuben answered them, saying, “Didn’t I tell you, saying, ‘Don’t sin against the child,’ and you wouldn’t listen?…
Genesis 42:37Reuben spoke to his father, saying, “Kill my two sons, if I don’t bring him to you. Entrust him to my care, and I will…
Genesis 46:8These are the names of the children of Israel, who came into Egypt, Jacob and his sons: Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn.
Genesis 46:9The sons of Reuben: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.
Genesis 48:5Now your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you into Egypt, are mine; Ephraim and…
Genesis 49:3“Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, excelling in dignity, and excelling in power.