Genesis 49:3-4

Jacob Blesses His Sons

³ "Reuben, you are _y my firstborn,
my might, and the _z firstfruits of my strength,
preeminent in dignity and preeminent in power.
⁴ Unstable as water, you shall not have preeminence,
because you _a went up to your father's bed;
then you defiled it - he went up to my couch!

1. Cross References
   Genesis 29:32
   And Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben, for she said, "Because the Lord has looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me.
   
2. Cross References
   Deuteronomy 21:17
   But he shall acknowledge the firstborn, the son of the unloved, by giving him a double portion of all that he has, for he is the firstfruits of his strength. The right of the firstborn is his.
   
3. Cross References
   Genesis 35:22
   While Israel lived in that land, Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine. And Israel heard of it. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve.
   1 Chronicles 5:1
   The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel ( for he was the firstborn, but because he defiled his father's couch, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel, so that he could not be enrolled as the oldest son.