רְאוּבֵנִי (re.u.ve.ni)
re.u.ve.ni
Reubenite
N:N--PGQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 15 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--PG
Word Overview
The term re’ûbēnî identifies a member of the tribe of Reuben, the firstborn son of Jacob and Leah. As a gentilic adjective, it functions as a tribal label rather than a personal name, appearing in texts to distinguish individuals by their ancestral lineage. The sources indicate this word occurs fifteen times across Scripture, with significant representation in the books of Joshua, Deuteronomy, and I Chronicles.
Its meaning is straightforward: "of Reuben" or "belonging to the tribe of Reuben." It does not carry independent theological weight beyond establishing identity within the twelve tribes of Israel. The root connects directly to re’ûbēn (H7205), whose etymology is traditionally understood as "behold a son," reflecting Leah’s joy at his birth in Genesis 29:32.
Translators typically render this word simply as "Reubenite." The term appears in genealogical records and census lists, such as those in I Chronicles, where it serves to organize the people of Israel by family group. It marks the descendants of Reuben’s four sons—Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi—as a distinct unit within the broader tribal structure.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word Reubenite identifies a member of the first tribe in Israel’s lineage, tracing back to Reuben, Jacob’s eldest son. In the biblical narrative, this label appears frequently in census lists and land distribution records, serving as a simple marker of family identity rather than carrying deep theological symbolism. It reminds us that God’s people are often defined by their ancestry and their place within a larger community.
For believers today, these tribal names anchor our faith in history. They show how God worked through specific families to shape a nation. When we read about the Reubenites receiving land or being counted, we see the tangible reality of God’s promises to His people. It is a reminder that every individual and family has a story within God’s grand plan.
While the tribe of Reuben faced unique challenges in Scripture, the term itself remains a neutral identifier. It invites us to look at our own roots and consider how our heritage shapes our witness. Whether in ancient Israel or modern churches, belonging to a community is central to the Christian life, grounding us in shared history and mutual responsibility.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 15 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ Reubenite[s]4×
- to the/ Reubenite[s]3×
- of the/ Reubenite[s]2×
- for the/ Reubenite[s]2×
- and/ to the/ Reubenite[s]2×
- the/ Reubenite1×
- and/ the/ Reubenite[s]1×
- <to> the/ Reubenite[s]1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לָ/רֽאוּבֵנִ֖י2×
- לָ/ראוּבֵנִ֣י1×
- לָ/רֽאוּבֵנִֽי\׃1×
- לָ/רֽאוּבֵנִ֣י1×
- לָ/רֻֽאוּבֵנִ֖י1×
- לָ/רֻֽאוּבֵנִי֙1×
- לָ/רֻֽאוּבֵנִ֑י1×
- וְ/לָ/רֽאוּבֵנִי֙1×
- וְ/לָ/רֻאוּבֵנִ֨י1×
- וְ/הָ/רֻאובֵנִ֖י1×
- הָ/ראוּבֵנִי֙1×
- הָ/ראוּבֵנִ֤י1×
Key Verses
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Numbers 26:7
These are the families of the Reubenites; and those who were counted of them were forty-three thousand seven hundred thirty.
This verse uses the term to categorize the Reubenites in a census, highlighting their status as a distinct family unit within the nation.
-
Deuteronomy 3:12
This land we took in possession at that time: from Aroer, which is by the valley of the Arnon, and half the hill country of Gilead with its cities, I gave to the Reubenites and to the Gadites;
Here the word identifies the recipients of Moses’ gift of land east of the Jordan, marking their territorial inheritance.
-
Joshua 1:12
Joshua spoke to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, saying,
Joshua addresses this group directly regarding their duty to help their brothers conquer the remaining land, showing their ongoing communal role.
-
I Chronicles 5:6
and Beerah his son, whom Tilgath Pilneser king of Assyria carried away captive. He was prince of the Reubenites.
The term describes Beerah as a prince of this tribe, illustrating how the label functioned in later leadership structures.