Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Turbulent as the waters, you will no longer excel, for you went up onto your father’s bed, onto my couch and defiled it. New Living Translation But you are as unruly as a flood, and you will be first no longer. For you went to bed with my wife; you defiled my marriage couch. English Standard Version Unstable as water, you shall not have preeminence, because you went up to your father’s bed; then you defiled it—he went up to my couch! Berean Standard Bible Uncontrolled as the waters, you will no longer excel, because you went up to your father’s bed, onto my couch, and defiled it. King James Bible 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. New King James Version Unstable as water, you shall not excel, Because you went up to your father’s bed; Then you defiled it— He went up to my couch. New American Standard Bible “Uncontrollable as water, you shall not have preeminence, Because you went up to your father’s bed; Then you defiled it—he went up to my couch. NASB 1995 “Uncontrolled as water, you shall not have preeminence, Because you went up to your father’s bed; Then you defiled it— he went up to my couch. NASB 1977 “Uncontrolled as water, you shall not have preeminence, Because you went up to your father’s bed; Then you defiled it—he went up to my couch. Legacy Standard Bible Uncontrolled as water, you shall not have preeminence, Because you went up to your father’s bed; Then you defiled it—he went up to my couch. Amplified Bible “But unstable and reckless and boiling over like water [in sinful lust], you shall not excel or have the preeminence [of the firstborn], Because you went up to your father’s bed [with Bilhah]; You defiled it—he went up to my couch. Christian Standard Bible Turbulent as water, you will not excel, because you got into your father’s bed and you defiled it—he got into my bed. Holman Christian Standard Bible Turbulent as water, you will no longer excel, because you got into your father’s bed and you defiled it—he got into my bed. American Standard Version Boiling over as water, thou shalt not have the pre-eminence; Because thou wentest up to thy father's bed; Then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch. Contemporary English Version Uncontrollable as a flood, you slept with my wife and disgraced my bed. And so you no longer deserve the place of honor. English Revised Version Unstable as water, thou shalt not have the excellency; Because thou wentest up to thy father's bed: Then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch. GOD'S WORD® Translation You will no longer be first because you were out of control like a flood and you climbed into your father's bed. Then you dishonored it. He climbed up on my couch. Good News Translation You are like a raging flood, But you will not be the most important, For you slept with my concubine And dishonored your father's bed. International Standard Version But you're as undisciplined as a roaring river, so eventually you won't succeed, because you got in your father's bed, defiled it, and then approached my couch." Majority Standard Bible Uncontrolled as the waters, you will no longer excel, because you went up to your father?s bed, onto my couch, and defiled it. NET Bible You are destructive like water and will not excel, for you got on your father's bed, then you defiled it--he got on my couch! New Heart English Bible Uncontrolled as the waters, you will not have excel, because you went up to your father's bed, you went up and defiled my couch. Webster's Bible Translation 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. World English Bible Boiling over like water, you shall not excel, because you went up to your father’s bed, then defiled it. He went up to my couch. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionUnstable as water, you are not abundant; For you have gone up your father’s bed; Then you have defiled [it]: He went up my couch! Young's Literal Translation Unstable as water, thou art not abundant; For thou hast gone up thy father's bed; Then thou hast polluted: My couch he went up! Smith's Literal Translation Vain glorious as water, thou shalt not be preeminent; for thou didst go up out of thy father's bed; then didst thou defile, going up to my couch. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThou art poured out as water, grow thou not: because thou wentest up to thy father's bed, and didst defile his couch. Catholic Public Domain Version You are being poured out like water, may you not increase. For you climbed onto your father’s bed, and you defiled his resting place. New American Bible Turbulent as water, you shall no longer excel, for you climbed into your father’s bed and defiled my couch to my sorrow. New Revised Standard Version Unstable as water, you shall no longer excel because you went up onto your father’s bed; then you defiled it—you went up onto my couch! Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleYou went astray like water, you shall not excel; because you went up to your father's bed; truly, you have defiled my bed by going up into it. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated You wandered as waters; you will not persist, for you went up to the bedroom of your father; truly you defiled my bed and you went up. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Unstable as water, have not thou the excellency; Because thou wentest up to thy father's bed; Then defiledst thou it--he went up to my couch. Brenton Septuagint Translation Thou wast insolent like water, burst not forth with violence, for thou wentest up to the bed of thy father; then thou defiledst the couch, whereupon thou wentest up. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Jacob Blesses His Sons…3Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power. 4Uncontrolled as the waters, you will no longer excel, because you went up to your father’s bed, onto my couch, and defiled it. 5Simeon and Levi are brothers; their swords are weapons of violence.… Cross References 1 Chronicles 5:1-2 These were the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. Though he was the firstborn, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, because Reuben defiled his father’s bed. So he is not reckoned according to birthright. / And though Judah prevailed over his brothers and a ruler came from him, the birthright belonged to Joseph. Deuteronomy 33:6 Let Reuben live and not die, nor his men be few.” 1 Kings 2:35 And the king appointed Benaiah son of Jehoiada in Joab’s place over the army, and he appointed Zadok the priest in Abiathar’s place. 1 Kings 12:20 When all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned, they summoned him to the assembly and made him king over all Israel. Only the tribe of Judah followed the house of David. 1 Kings 11:11 Then the LORD said to Solomon, “Because you have done this and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant. 1 Kings 11:31 and said to Jeroboam, “Take ten pieces for yourself, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and I will give you ten tribes. 1 Kings 11:37 But as for you, I will take you, and you shall reign over all that your heart desires, and you will be king over Israel. 1 Kings 12:16 When all Israel saw that the king had refused to listen to them, they answered the king: “What portion do we have in David, and what inheritance in the son of Jesse? To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, O David!” So the Israelites went home, 1 Kings 12:26-27 Jeroboam said in his heart, “Now the kingdom might revert to the house of David. / If these people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, their hearts will return to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah; then they will kill me and return to Rehoboam king of Judah.” 1 Kings 12:33 On the fifteenth day of the eighth month, a month of his own choosing, Jeroboam offered sacrifices on the altar he had set up in Bethel. So he ordained a feast for the Israelites, offered sacrifices on the altar, and burned incense. 1 Kings 14:7-8 Go, tell Jeroboam that this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I raised you up from among the people and appointed you ruler over My people Israel. / I tore the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it to you. But you have not been like My servant David, who kept My commandments and followed Me with all his heart, doing only what was right in My eyes. 1 Kings 14:10 Because of all this, behold, I am bringing disaster on the house of Jeroboam: I will cut off from Jeroboam every male, both slave and free, in Israel; I will burn up the house of Jeroboam as one burns up dung until it is gone! 1 Kings 14:14 Moreover, the LORD will raise up for Himself a king over Israel who will cut off the house of Jeroboam. This is the day—yes, even today! 1 Kings 15:29 As soon as Baasha became king, he struck down the entire household of Jeroboam. He did not leave to Jeroboam anyone who breathed, but destroyed them all according to the word that the LORD had spoken through His servant Ahijah the Shilonite, 1 Kings 16:3 So now I will consume Baasha and his house, and I will make your house like that of Jeroboam son of Nebat: Treasury of Scripture Unstable as water, you shall not excel; because you went up to your father's bed; then defiled you it: he went up to my couch. Unstable. James 1:6-8 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed… 2 Peter 2:14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: 2 Peter 3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. thou shall not excel. Genesis 46:8 And these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt, Jacob and his sons: Reuben, Jacob's firstborn. Numbers 32:1-42 Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of cattle: and when they saw the land of Jazer, and the land of Gilead, that, behold, the place was a place for cattle; … Deuteronomy 33:6 Let Reuben live, and not die; and let not his men be few. because. Genesis 35:22 And it came to pass, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine: and Israel heard it. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve: Deuteronomy 5:21 Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour's. Deuteronomy 27:20 Cursed be he that lieth with his father's wife; because he uncovereth his father's skirt. And all the people shall say, Amen. he went up to my couch. Jump to Previous Abundant Bed Boiling Couch Defiled Excel Excellency Father's First Impetuous Longer Polluted Preeminence Pre-Eminence Turbulent Unclean Uncontrolled Unstable Water Waters WentestJump to Next Abundant Bed Boiling Couch Defiled Excel Excellency Father's First Impetuous Longer Polluted Preeminence Pre-Eminence Turbulent Unclean Uncontrolled Unstable Water Waters WentestGenesis 49 1. Jacob calls his sons to bless them.3. Their blessing in particular. 29. He charges them about his burial. 33. He dies. Uncontrolled as the waters This phrase suggests instability and lack of restraint, akin to the unpredictable and forceful nature of water. In biblical symbolism, water can represent chaos and disorder, as seen in Genesis 1:2 where the Spirit of God hovers over the waters before creation brings order. Reuben's character is likened to this chaotic force, indicating a lack of self-control and discipline. This imagery is consistent with other biblical references to water as a symbol of instability, such as in James 1:6, where a doubter is compared to a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. You will no longer excel Because you went up to your father’s bed Onto my couch, and defiled it Persons / Places / Events 1. Jacob (Israel)The patriarch of the twelve tribes of Israel, who is giving his final blessings and prophecies to his sons. 2. Reuben Jacob's firstborn son, who is being addressed in this verse. He lost his birthright due to his actions. 3. Bilhah Jacob's concubine, with whom Reuben committed the sin that led to his downfall. 4. The Bed/Couch Symbolic of the violation of family honor and the sanctity of Jacob's household. 5. The Blessing Ceremony The event where Jacob gathers his sons to pronounce blessings and prophecies over them before his death. Teaching Points The Consequences of SinReuben's actions serve as a stark reminder that sin, especially within the family, can have long-lasting consequences. His loss of preeminence illustrates the cost of uncontrolled desires. The Importance of Self-Control The metaphor of being "uncontrolled as the waters" highlights the need for self-discipline. Believers are called to exercise self-control as a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). The Sanctity of Family Relationships Reuben's sin was not just against his father but against the family unit. Maintaining the sanctity and honor of family relationships is crucial for a godly legacy. Repentance and Restoration While Reuben faced consequences, the broader biblical account shows that God offers forgiveness and restoration. Believers should seek repentance and strive to restore broken relationships. The Role of Leadership and Responsibility As the firstborn, Reuben had a responsibility to lead by example. His failure serves as a lesson on the importance of integrity and responsibility in leadership roles.(4) Unstable.--This translation is shown to be right by the use of the word in Judges 9:4; Zephaniah 3:4, in both which places it is translated light. Out of this sense of lightness and frivolity naturally arose the meaning which the word has in Syriac of wantonness. In Arabic it means boastful, another side of feebleness. With this sense the comparison with water well agrees; for it is its nature to seek a dull level, and while yielding to every impression to retain none. The other meaning given to it by many able critics is "boiling over like water," a description of the unrestrained violence of Reuben's passions. Thou shalt not excel.--That is, thou shalt not have that excellency which was thine by right of birth. Hebrew Uncontrolledפַּ֤חַז (pa·ḥaz) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6349: Wantonness, recklessness as the waters, כַּמַּ֙יִם֙ (kam·ma·yim) Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen you will no אַל־ (’al-) Adverb Strong's 408: Not longer excel, תּוֹתַ֔ר (tō·w·ṯar) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect Jussive - second person masculine singular Strong's 3498: To jut over, exceed, to excel, to remain, be left, to leave, cause to abound, preserve because כִּ֥י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction you went up עָלִ֖יתָ (‘ā·lî·ṯā) Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively to your father’s אָבִ֑יךָ (’ā·ḇî·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 1: Father bed, מִשְׁכְּבֵ֣י (miš·kə·ḇê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 4904: Place of lying, a couch, act of lying onto עָלָֽה׃ (‘ā·lāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively my couch יְצוּעִ֥י (yə·ṣū·‘î) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 3326: Spread, a bed, an extension, wing, lean-to and אָ֥ז (’āz) Adverb Strong's 227: At that time, place, therefore defiled it. חִלַּ֖לְתָּ (ḥil·lal·tā) Verb - Piel - Perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 2490: To bore, to wound, to dissolve, to profane, to break, to begin, to play Links Genesis 49:4 NIVGenesis 49:4 NLT Genesis 49:4 ESV Genesis 49:4 NASB Genesis 49:4 KJV Genesis 49:4 BibleApps.com Genesis 49:4 Biblia Paralela Genesis 49:4 Chinese Bible Genesis 49:4 French Bible Genesis 49:4 Catholic Bible OT Law: Genesis 49:4 Boiling over as water you shall not (Gen. 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