Reuben’s transgression reveals that our self-serving choices can deeply affect family bonds and spiritual inheritances.
In this passage, we read that “And it came about while Israel was dwelling in that land, that Reuben went and lay with his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard of it. Now there were twelve sons of Jacob—” (Genesis 35:22). The verse begins by stating that Israel (the name God gave Jacob, who lived around the early second millennium BC) was residing in an area most likely near Bethel, a notable location in the central region of ancient Canaan. Bethel was situated approximately ten miles north of Jerusalem, and it held significant importance for Jacob, having built an altar there to honor God (Genesis 35:7). While Israel was living there, his eldest son Reuben committed a grave offense by sleeping with Bilhah, who was one of Jacob’s concubines.
When the verse says “Reuben went and lay with his father’s concubine Bilhah” (Genesis 35:22), it conveys not merely a personal indiscretion but an egregious transgression against the covenant family. Reuben, born around the same time Jacob was establishing his household, stood to inherit firstborn privileges (Genesis 29:31-32). By dishonoring his father, Reuben forfeited that special birthright (1 Chronicles 5:1), highlighting a recurring biblical theme: sinful actions can hinder one’s intended blessings. Later on, Jacob would address this offense directly when blessing his sons, declaring Reuben as “uncontrolled as water” (Genesis 49:3-4). This event in biblical history also helps set the stage for how leadership and inheritance would unfold among Israel’s sons, ultimately focusing on Judah’s line, which leads to Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:2).
Finally, the verse concludes with the brief statement “Now there were twelve sons of Jacob—” (Genesis 35:22). This moment underscores the unity of the twelve tribes of Israel, even in the midst of moral failings. Despite Reuben’s sin, God’s plan to multiply and bless Jacob’s family remained in place, reflecting God’s sovereignty and mercy. The lineage of these twelve sons—Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin—would become the bedrock of the nation of Israel and the unfolding of redemption history.
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Genesis 35:22 meaning
In this passage, we read that “And it came about while Israel was dwelling in that land, that Reuben went and lay with his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard of it. Now there were twelve sons of Jacob—” (Genesis 35:22). The verse begins by stating that Israel (the name God gave Jacob, who lived around the early second millennium BC) was residing in an area most likely near Bethel, a notable location in the central region of ancient Canaan. Bethel was situated approximately ten miles north of Jerusalem, and it held significant importance for Jacob, having built an altar there to honor God (Genesis 35:7). While Israel was living there, his eldest son Reuben committed a grave offense by sleeping with Bilhah, who was one of Jacob’s concubines.
When the verse says “Reuben went and lay with his father’s concubine Bilhah” (Genesis 35:22), it conveys not merely a personal indiscretion but an egregious transgression against the covenant family. Reuben, born around the same time Jacob was establishing his household, stood to inherit firstborn privileges (Genesis 29:31-32). By dishonoring his father, Reuben forfeited that special birthright (1 Chronicles 5:1), highlighting a recurring biblical theme: sinful actions can hinder one’s intended blessings. Later on, Jacob would address this offense directly when blessing his sons, declaring Reuben as “uncontrolled as water” (Genesis 49:3-4). This event in biblical history also helps set the stage for how leadership and inheritance would unfold among Israel’s sons, ultimately focusing on Judah’s line, which leads to Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:2).
Finally, the verse concludes with the brief statement “Now there were twelve sons of Jacob—” (Genesis 35:22). This moment underscores the unity of the twelve tribes of Israel, even in the midst of moral failings. Despite Reuben’s sin, God’s plan to multiply and bless Jacob’s family remained in place, reflecting God’s sovereignty and mercy. The lineage of these twelve sons—Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin—would become the bedrock of the nation of Israel and the unfolding of redemption history.