Reuben (sources)
Survey of ancient sources on Reuben.
Overview
Ancient Jewish Sources
Genesis
Gen 29:32 (NRSV) -- And Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben; for she said, “Because the LORD has looked upon my affliction; surely now my husband will love me.”
Gen 30:14-15 (NRSV) -- [14] In the days of wheat harvest Reuben went and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them to his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, “Give me, I pray, some of your son’s mandrakes.” 15 But she said to her, “Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son’s mandrakes also?” Rachel said, “Then he may lie with you tonight for your son’s mandrakes.”
Gen 35:22 (NRSV) -- While Israel dwelt in that land Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father’s concubine; and Israel heard of it.
Gen 35:23 (NRSV) -- The sons of Leah [and Jacob]: Reuben (Jacob’s first-born), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun.
Gen 37:21-22 (NRSV) -- [21] But when Reuben heard it, he delivered him out of their hands, saying, “Let us not take his life.” [22] And Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood; cast him into this pit here in the wilderness, but lay no hand upon him”—that he might rescue him out of their hand, to restore him to his father... [29] When Reuben returned to the pit and saw that Joseph was not in the pit, he rent his clothes [30] and returned to his brothers, and said, “The lad is gone; and I, where shall I go?”
Gen 42 (NRSV) -- [21] Then they said to one another, “In truth we are guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he besought us and we would not listen; therefore is this distress come upon us.” 22 And Reuben answered them, “Did I not tell you not to sin against the lad? But you would not listen. So now there comes a reckoning for his blood." ... [37] Then Reuben said to his father, “Slay my two sons if I do not bring him back to you; put him in my hands, and I will bring him back to you.”
Gen 46:8-9 (NRSV) -- [8] Now these are the names of the descendants of Israel, who came into Egypt, Jacob and his sons. Reuben, Jacob’s first-born, [9] and the sons of Reuben: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.
Gen 48:5 (NRTSV) -- [5] And now your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, are mine; E′phraim and Manas′seh shall be mine, as Reuben and Simeon are.
Jacob's Blessing Gen 49:3-4 -- [3] Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, the first sign of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power. [4] Turbulent as the waters, you will no longer excel, for you went up onto your father’s bed, onto my couch and defiled it.