Jacob's son living at the time of the Patriarchs
Reuben
Jacob’s firstborn, the first son of Leah (Genesis 29:32; 35:23). He found mandrakes in the field for his mother (Genesis 30:14). He disgraced himself by lying with his father’s concubine Bilhah (Genesis 35:22). When his brothers plotted to kill Joseph, Reuben persuaded them to throw him in a pit, intending to rescue him later (Genesis 37:21–22). Jacob’s last words to him recalled his sin: “you shall not excel” (Genesis 49:3–4), and his birthright went to Joseph’s sons (1 Chronicles 5:1). The tribe of Reuben settled east of the Jordan (Numbers 32).
Family
- Father
- Jacob
- Mother
- Leah
- Children
- Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, Carmi