GENESIS 49:3

KING JAMES VERSION (KJV)

TRANSLATION, MEANING, CONTEXT

To get what Genesis 49:3 means based on its source text, scroll down or follow these links for the original scriptural meaning , biblical context and relative popularity.

“Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:”

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Popularity relative to other verses in Genesis chapter 49 using average monthly Google searches.

Genesis 49:3 Translation & Meaning

What does this verse really mean? Use this table to get a word-for-word translation of the original Hebrew Scripture. This shows the English words related to the source biblical texts along with brief definitions. Follow the buttons in the right-hand column for detailed definitions and verses that use the same root words. Use this reference information to gain deeper insight into the Bible and enrich your understanding. Information based on Strong's Exhaustive Concordance[1].

KJV Verse Original Hebrew Meaning/ Definition
This is a simplified translation of the original Hebrew word. Follow the buttons on the right to get more detail.
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Use the buttons below to get details on the Hebrew word and view related Bible verses that use the same root word.
Reuben, רְאוּבֵן֙ Reuben, a son of Jacob Reuben
thou אַ֔תָּה Thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you thou
art (No Hebrew definition. English implied.)
my firstborn, בְּכֹ֣רִי First-born; hence, chief firstborn
my might, כֹּחִ֖י Vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce); also (from its hardiness) a large lizard might
and the beginning וְרֵאשִׁ֣ית The first, in place, time, order or rank (specifically, a firstfruit) beginning
of my strength, אוֹנִ֑י Ability, power, (figuratively) wealth strength
the excellency יֶ֥תֶר Properly, an overhanging, i.e., (by implication) an excess, superiority, remainder excellency
of dignity, שְׂאֵ֖ת An elevation or leprous scab; figuratively, elation or cheerfulness; exaltation in rank or character dignity
and the excellency וְיֶ֥תֶר Properly, an overhanging, i.e., (by implication) an excess, superiority, remainder excellency
of power: עָֽז׃ Strong, vehement, harsh power

Verse Context

See Genesis 49:3 with its adjacent verses in bold below. Follow either of the two large buttons below to see these verses in their broader context of the King James Bible or a Bible concordance.

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  • 1  And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days.

  • 2  Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father.

  • 3  Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:

  • 4  Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father's bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch.

  • 5  Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations.




Sources:

The King James Bible (1611) and Strong's Concordance (1890) with Hebrew and Greek dictionaries are sourced from the BibleForgeDB database (https://github.com/bibleforge) within the BibleForge project (http://bibleforge.com). Popularity rankings are based on search volume data from the Google AdWords Keyword Planner tool.


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