John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 1. Now the sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel , etc.] Are as follow in ( 1 Chronicles 5:3) where the account begins; for what comes between this and that is in a parenthesis: for he was the firstborn ; of Jacob by his wife Leah; that must be owned, and Jacob allows it, ( Genesis 49:3) and yet the genealogy in this book begins not with him, as might on that account be expected; the reason follows: but forasmuch as he defiled his father’s bed : by lying with Bilhah his concubine: his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel ; his beloved son by his beloved wife Rachel and so had a double portion given him; his two sons being equally ranked with the other sons of Jacob, and became distinct tribes, and each had their lot in the land of Canaan, (see Genesis 48:5,22) compared with ( Deuteronomy 21:17) and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright ; or, “but the genealogy”, etc. f38 ; neither after the birthright of Reuben, which he had by nature, being Jacob’s firstborn; nor after the birthright of Joseph, which be had by his father’s gift, as it might be thought it should; the reason of which follows.
Matthew Henry Commentary
- Genealogies.
--This chapter gives some account of the two tribes and a half seate on the east side of Jordan. They were made captives by the king of Assyria, because they had forsaken the Lord. Only two things are her recorded concerning these tribes. 1. They all shared in a victory Happy is that people who live in harmony together, who assist eac other against the common enemies of their souls, trusting in the Lord and calling upon him. 2. They shared in captivity. They would have the best land, not considering that it lay most exposed. The desire of earthly objects draws to a distance from God's ordinances, and prepare men for destruction _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew ובני1121 ראובן7205 בכור1060 ישׂראל3478 כי3588 הוא1931 הבכור1060 ובחללו2490 יצועי3326 אביו1 נתנה5414 בכרתו1062 לבני1121 יוסף3130 בן1121 ישׂראל3478 ולא3808 להתיחשׂ3187 לבכרה׃1062
