Reuben: His Children
Jump to: Nave'sLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
Reuben, the firstborn of Jacob and Leah, holds a significant place in biblical history as the progenitor of the tribe of Reuben. His lineage is detailed in various passages of the Bible, providing insight into the early generations of the Israelite tribes.

Biblical Lineage and Descendants

Reuben's children are listed in several genealogical records within the Scriptures. In Genesis 46:9, during the account of Jacob's family moving to Egypt, the sons of Reuben are named: "The sons of Reuben: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi." This enumeration is echoed in other genealogical listings, such as Exodus 6:14 and 1 Chronicles 5:3, affirming the consistency of the biblical record.

1. Hanoch: The first son of Reuben, Hanoch, is the eponymous ancestor of the Hanochites, a clan within the tribe of Reuben. His name is sometimes spelled "Henoch" in various translations, but the Berean Standard Bible maintains the spelling "Hanoch."

2. Pallu: Pallu is the second son of Reuben. His descendants, known as the Palluites, are mentioned in the census of the tribes of Israel. Numbers 26:5-7 records the family of Pallu as part of the larger enumeration of the Reubenites.

3. Hezron: Hezron, the third son, is also a significant figure in the genealogical records. His lineage is further expanded in the Chronicles, where his descendants are noted for their roles in the tribal structure of Israel.

4. Carmi: The fourth son, Carmi, rounds out the list of Reuben's immediate offspring. Like his brothers, Carmi's descendants formed a distinct clan within the tribe, contributing to the overall population and military strength of Reuben.

Tribal Significance and Historical Context

The tribe of Reuben, descended from these four sons, played a notable role in the early history of Israel. Despite Reuben's status as the firstborn, his tribe did not achieve the preeminence that might have been expected. This is attributed to Reuben's transgression against his father Jacob, as recorded in Genesis 35:22, which led to the loss of his birthright (1 Chronicles 5:1-2).

In the wilderness period, the tribe of Reuben was counted among the twelve tribes of Israel, participating in the Exodus and the subsequent wanderings. Numbers 1:20-21 records the census of the Reubenites, numbering 46,500 men of fighting age, indicating their substantial size and potential influence.

Settlement and Legacy

Upon entering the Promised Land, the tribe of Reuben chose to settle on the eastern side of the Jordan River, in the region of Gilead. This decision, made in conjunction with the tribes of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh, is detailed in Numbers 32. The Reubenites' choice of territory reflected their pastoral lifestyle and desire for fertile grazing lands.

Throughout biblical history, the tribe of Reuben faced various challenges, including conflicts with neighboring peoples and internal struggles. Despite these difficulties, the descendants of Reuben maintained their identity as one of the tribes of Israel, contributing to the nation's complex tapestry.

The legacy of Reuben and his children is preserved in the biblical narrative, serving as a testament to the enduring nature of God's covenant with the descendants of Jacob.
Nave's Topical Index
Genesis 46:9
And the sons of Reuben; Hanoch, and Phallu, and Hezron, and Carmi.
Nave's Topical Index

Exodus 6:14
These be the heads of their fathers' houses: The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel; Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi: these be the families of Reuben.
Nave's Topical Index

1 Chronicles 5:3-6
The sons, I say, of Reuben the firstborn of Israel were, Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.
Nave's Topical Index

Numbers 16:1
Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men:
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Testament of Reuben Concerning Thoughts.
... And now, children, love the truth, and it shall preserve you. I counsel you, hear
ye Reuben your father ... Jacob our father was absent with Isaac his father, when ...
/.../i the testament of reuben concerning.htm

Here Beginneth the History of Joseph and his Brethren
... These be the names of the sons of Israel that entered with him into Egypt. The first
begotten Reuben with his children four. Simeon with his seven sons. ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here beginneth the history of 2.htm

Man's Passions and God's Purpose
... Rachel could not but be hated by the children of other ... to the lad probably meant
to indicate his purpose to ... right of the first-born forfeited by Reuben, and so ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/mans passions and gods purpose.htm

Joseph --The Savior of his People.
... by themselves, and the brothers were placed according to their ages"Reuben at the ...
So Jacob with all his children and their little ones, and all his flocks ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter viii josephthe savior of.htm

Joseph and his Brethren
... of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away:
all these things are against me. And Reuben spake unto his father, saying ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/i joseph and his brethren.htm

The Testament of Zebulun Concerning Compassion and Mercy.
... [133] And Reuben ate no ... coat, and would not give it up, wishing to rend it with his
sword; for ... 5. And now, my children, I bid you to keep the commands of the ...
/.../vi the testament of zebulun concerning.htm

Joseph Sold as a Slave by his Brothers
The Children's Bible. <. ... Judah, however, when he heard it, saved Joseph's life
by saying, "Let us not take his life." Reuben also said to them ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/joseph sold as a slave.htm

The Removal of Joseph's Father with all his Family, to Him, on ...
... on more cheerfully for Egypt with his sons, and ... set down the names of Jacob's children
and grandchildren. Reuben had four sons"Anoch, Phallu, Assaron, Charmi ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 the removal of.htm

The Story of Joseph and his Coat of Many Colors
... Of all his children, Jacob loved Joseph the best, because he was Rachel's child;
because he was so much younger ... Then his brothers told Reuben what they ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of joseph and.htm

The Testament of Issachar Concerning Simplicity.
... And Reuben wept, and at his voice Leah my mother came forth. ... And Rachel said, I will
not give them to thee, for they shall be to me instead of children. ...
/.../v the testament of issachar concerning.htm

Resources
What are the twelve tribes of Israel? | GotQuestions.org

What does Numbers 32:23 mean when it says, “Be sure your sin will find you out”? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Issachar in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Patriotism: Lacking in The Tribes of Reuben, Asher, and Dan

Reuben

Reuben: Adroitly Seeks to Save Joseph from the Conspiracy of his Brothers

Reuben: Brings Mandrakes (An Aphrodisiac) to his Mother

Reuben: Commits Incest With One of his Father's Concubines, And, in Consequence, Forfeits his Birthright

Reuben: His Children

Reuben: Jacob's Prophetic Benediction Upon

Reuben: Son of Jacob

the Tribe of Reuben: Assisted in Building the Altar of Witness Which offended The

the Tribe of Reuben: Bounds of Their Inheritance

the Tribe of Reuben: Carried Away by Tiglathpileser

the Tribe of Reuben: Cities Built By

the Tribe of Reuben: Descended from Jacob's First Son

the Tribe of Reuben: did not Assist Against Sisera

the Tribe of Reuben: Dismissed by Joshua After the Conquest of Canaan

the Tribe of Reuben: Encamped With Its Standard South of the Tabernacle

the Tribe of Reuben: Families of

the Tribe of Reuben: Invaded and Conquered by Hazael King of Syria

the Tribe of Reuben: Led the Second Division of Israel in Their Journey's

the Tribe of Reuben: Obtained Inheritance East of Jordan on Condition of Helping

the Tribe of Reuben: Offering of, at the Dedication

the Tribe of Reuben: Officers Appointed Over, by David

the Tribe of Reuben: On Ebal, Said Amen to the Curses

the Tribe of Reuben: Persons Selected From: To Number the People

the Tribe of Reuben: Persons Selected From: To Spy out the Land

the Tribe of Reuben: Predictions Respecting

the Tribe of Reuben: Remarkable Persons of Adina

the Tribe of Reuben: Remarkable Persons of Dathan, Abiram, and On

the Tribe of Reuben: some of, at David's Coronation

the Tribe of Reuben: Strength of, at the Time of Receiving Their Inheritance

the Tribe of Reuben: Strength of, on Leaving Egypt

the Tribe of Reuben: Took Land of the Hagarites

Related Terms

Reuben's (1 Occurrence)

Pallu (6 Occurrences)

Gadites (32 Occurrences)

Reubenites (37 Occurrences)

Phallu (5 Occurrences)

Hanoch (6 Occurrences)

Elizur (5 Occurrences)

Carmi (8 Occurrences)

Shedeur (5 Occurrences)

Israel's (72 Occurrences)

Eli'zur (5 Occurrences)

Shed'eur (5 Occurrences)

Hezron (19 Occurrences)

Enoch (18 Occurrences)

Oldest (58 Occurrences)

Jahaz (8 Occurrences)

Districts (22 Occurrences)

Phin'ehas (24 Occurrences)

Bohan (2 Occurrences)

Companies (38 Occurrences)

Birthright (10 Occurrences)

Phinehas (24 Occurrences)

Zeb'ulun (41 Occurrences)

Divisions (92 Occurrences)

Eldest (17 Occurrences)

Ed (1 Occurrence)

Elealeh (5 Occurrences)

Dathan (8 Occurrences)

Palluites (1 Occurrence)

Baalmeon (3 Occurrences)

Baal-meon (3 Occurrences)

Bilhah (11 Occurrences)

Bezer (5 Occurrences)

Searchings (2 Occurrences)

Is'sachar (40 Occurrences)

Hanochites (1 Occurrence)

Manas'seh (123 Occurrences)

Abiram (9 Occurrences)

Leah (30 Occurrences)

Heshbon (37 Occurrences)

Armies (361 Occurrences)

Merari (38 Occurrences)

Standard (42 Occurrences)

Reubenite (16 Occurrences)

Zebulun (46 Occurrences)

Gad (78 Occurrences)

First-born (110 Occurrences)

Elea'zar (72 Occurrences)

Clan (96 Occurrences)

Issachar (40 Occurrences)

Leader (183 Occurrences)

Clans (120 Occurrences)

Gilead (130 Occurrences)

Princes (324 Occurrences)

151450 (2 Occurrences)

44760 (2 Occurrences)

Kirjathaim (6 Occurrences)

Kiriathaim (7 Occurrences)

Nebo (13 Occurrences)

Unwalled (39 Occurrences)

Og (22 Occurrences)

Jahzah (4 Occurrences)

Jazer (13 Occurrences)

Geliloth (2 Occurrences)

Genealogical (26 Occurrences)

Watercourses (14 Occurrences)

Ruins (84 Occurrences)

Refuge (111 Occurrences)

Rescued (49 Occurrences)

Rescue (92 Occurrences)

Enochites (1 Occurrence)

Eliab (20 Occurrences)

Manas'sites (10 Occurrences)

Medeba (5 Occurrences)

Mephaath (4 Occurrences)

Primogeniture

Pal'luites (1 Occurrence)

Palluite (1 Occurrence)

Reuben: Commits Incest With One of his Father's Concubines, And, in Consequence, Forfeits his Birthright
Top of Page
Top of Page