Topical Bible: Reubenites

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Topical Encyclopedia

The Reubenites were descendants of Reuben, the firstborn son of Jacob and Leah. As one of the twelve tribes of Israel, the Reubenites held a significant place in the history and narrative of the Israelites. Their account is woven throughout the Old Testament, highlighting their role, territory, and contributions to the nation of Israel.

Ancestry and Early History

Reuben, the patriarch of the Reubenites, was the eldest son of Jacob. Despite his birthright as the firstborn, Reuben lost his preeminent status due to an indiscretion with Bilhah, his father’s concubine (Genesis 35:22). This act led to Jacob's rebuke and the eventual transfer of the birthright to Joseph (1 Chronicles 5:1-2).

Territory and Settlement

The Reubenites were allocated land on the east side of the Jordan River, a region known for its fertile pastures. This territory was granted to them by Moses before the Israelites crossed into the Promised Land (Numbers 32:1-5). The land included the plains of Moab and extended from the Arnon River to Mount Nebo and the Jordan River. The Reubenites, along with the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, chose this land because it was suitable for their large herds and flocks.

Role in Israelite Society

The Reubenites played a crucial role in the early military campaigns of Israel. They were among the tribes that assisted in the conquest of Canaan, fulfilling their promise to fight alongside their brethren before returning to their own territory (Joshua 1:12-18). Despite their initial commitment, the Reubenites, along with the other Transjordan tribes, were often geographically and spiritually distant from the central activities of Israel, which were centered around the tabernacle and later the temple in Jerusalem.

Challenges and Conflicts

Throughout their history, the Reubenites faced various challenges. Their location made them vulnerable to attacks from neighboring nations. In 1 Chronicles 5:18-22, the Reubenites, along with the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, are noted for their valor in battle against the Hagrites, a nomadic tribe. However, their separation from the main body of Israel sometimes led to spiritual decline, as seen in their participation in the worship of foreign gods (1 Chronicles 5:25-26).

Notable Figures

Dathan and Abiram, two Reubenites, are infamous for their rebellion against Moses during the wilderness wanderings (Numbers 16:1-35). Their defiance, along with Korah, led to a dramatic judgment from God, where the earth opened and swallowed them and their households.

Legacy

The Reubenites, like many of the tribes, experienced a decline over time. Their territory was eventually overrun by Assyrian forces, leading to their exile (1 Chronicles 5:26). Despite this, the legacy of the Reubenites is preserved in the biblical narrative as a testament to the complexities and challenges faced by the tribes of Israel.

Biblical References

· Genesis 29:32; 35:22; 49:3-4
· Numbers 1:20-21; 2:10-16; 32:1-42
· Deuteronomy 3:12-17
· Joshua 13:15-23
· 1 Chronicles 5:1-10, 18-26

The Reubenites' account is a reminder of the importance of faithfulness and the consequences of straying from God's commands, as well as the enduring hope of restoration and redemption found throughout the biblical narrative.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

REUBENITES

roo'-ben-its (ha-re'ubheni; demoi Rhouben): Members of the tribe of Reuben (Numbers 26:7, etc.). Adina, one of David's mighty men, was a Reubenite (1 Chronicles 11:42).

Strong's Hebrew

7206. Reubeni -- descendant of Reuben
... Reubeni. 7207 . descendant of Reuben. Transliteration: Reubeni Phonetic Spelling:
(reh-oob-ay-nee') Short Definition: Reubenites. ... children of Reuben, Reubenites ...
/hebrew/7206.htm - 6k

Library

Retribution
... Moses gave this warning to two tribes of the Israelites,"to the Reubenites and Gadites,
who had promised to go over Jordan, and help their countrymen in war ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon vii retribution.htm

Perea. Beyond Jordan.
... In the Jews we read, "Trachon, which is bounded at Bozra." Not Bozrah of Edom, Isaiah
63:1; nor Bezer of the Reubenites, Joshua 20:8; but another, to wit ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 91 perea beyond jordan.htm

The End of the War
... There failed not ought of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house
of Israel; all came to pass. 'Then Joshua called the Reubenites, and the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the end of the war.htm

Recreant Reuben
... the watercourses of Reuben there were great searchings of heart.' Resolves came
first, but they were not immediately acted on, and as the Reubenites sate among ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/recreant reuben.htm

Book 4 Footnotes
... First Epistle to the Corinthians, from Ignatius's Epistle to the Magnesians, and
from Eusebius, that Corah was not swallowed up with the Reubenites, but burned ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 4 footnotes.htm

Hazael Makes an Expedition against the People of Israel and the ...
... fought against the Israelites and their king Jehu, and spoiled the eastern parts
of the country beyond Jordan, which belonged to the Reubenites and Gadites ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 hazael makes an.htm

On Heresies.
... 3176] of whom He said, "And there arose not a prophet like unto Moses." [3177] Against
him arose the followers of Corah, and the Reubenites, [3178] and threw ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec i on heresies.htm

Epistle Lxiv. To Rogatianus, Concerning the Deacon who Contended ...
... [2725] [ie, Levites--deacons. But Korah and the Levites (Numbers 16:9, 10) must
be regarded apart from the Reubenites (laics) who sinned with them. Jude 11..]. ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lxiv to rogatianus concerning.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... In the IXth century Mesha of Moab does not mention the Reubenites, and speaks of
the Gadites only as inhabiting the territory formerly occupied by them. ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The Assyrian Captivity
... "The Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh," with others of
the inhabitants of "Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali" (1 ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 23 the assyrian captivity.htm

Thesaurus

Reubenites (37 Occurrences)
...REUBENITES. roo'-ben-its (ha-re'ubheni; demoi Rhouben): Members of the tribe
of Reuben (Numbers 26:7, etc.). ...Reubenites (37 Occurrences). ...
/r/reubenites.htm - 19k

Reubenite (16 Occurrences)
... Numbers 26:7 These are the families of the Reubenites; and those who were numbered
of them were forty-three thousand seven hundred thirty. ...
/r/reubenite.htm - 11k

Gadite (14 Occurrences)
... possession at that time: from Aroer, which is by the valley of the Arnon, and half
the hill country of Gilead, and its cities, gave I to the Reubenites and to ...
/g/gadite.htm - 11k

Gadites (32 Occurrences)
... possession at that time: from Aroer, which is by the valley of the Arnon, and half
the hill country of Gilead, and its cities, gave I to the Reubenites and to ...
/g/gadites.htm - 17k

Manas'sites (10 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 4:43 Bezer in the wilderness, in the table-land, for the Reubenites;
and Ramoth in Gilead, for the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan, for the Manassites ...
/m/manas'sites.htm - 9k

Manassites (7 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 4:43 namely, Bezer in the wilderness, in the plain country, for the
Reubenites; and Ramoth in Gilead, for the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan, for the ...
/m/manassites.htm - 9k

Bezer (5 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Ore of gold or silver. (1.) A city of the Reubenites;
one of the three cities of refuge on the east of Jordan (Deuteronomy 4: 43 ...
/b/bezer.htm - 9k

Gorge (19 Occurrences)
... possession at that time: from Aroer, which is by the valley of the Arnon, and half
the hill country of Gilead, and its cities, gave I to the Reubenites and to ...
/g/gorge.htm - 12k

Tiglath-pileser (6 Occurrences)
... Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, and the spirit of Tilgath-pilneser
king of Assyria, and he carried them away, even the Reubenites and the ...
/t/tiglath-pileser.htm - 12k

Eliezer (14 Occurrences)
... (5.) Son of Zichri, and chief of the Reubenites under David (1 Chronicles 27:16).
(6.) A prophet in the time of Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 20:37). ...
/e/eliezer.htm - 15k

Resources

Why did Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh want to live on the east of the Jordan? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Achan in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

When and how was Israel conquered by the Assyrians? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Reubenites (37 Occurrences)

Numbers 16:1
Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men;
(See NIV)

Numbers 26:7
These are the families of the Reubenites; and those who were numbered of them were forty-three thousand seven hundred thirty.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Numbers 32:6
And Moses said unto the children of Gad and to the children of Reuben: 'Shall your brethren go to the war, and shall ye sit here?
(See NIV)

Numbers 32:25
And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben spoke unto Moses, saying: 'Thy servants will do as my lord commandeth.
(See NIV)

Numbers 32:29
And Moses said unto them: 'If the children of Gad and the children of Reuben will pass with you over the Jordan, every man that is armed to battle, before the LORD, and the land shall be subdued before you, then ye shall give them the land of Gilead for a possession;
(See NIV)

Numbers 32:31
And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben answered, saying: 'As the LORD hath said unto thy servants, so will we do.
(See NIV)

Numbers 32:33
And Moses gave unto them, even to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and unto the half-tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, the land, according to the cities thereof with their borders, even the cities of the land round about.
(See NIV)

Deuteronomy 3:12
This land we took in possession at that time: from Aroer, which is by the valley of the Arnon, and half the hill country of Gilead, and its cities, gave I to the Reubenites and to the Gadites:
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 3:16
To the Reubenites and to the Gadites I gave from Gilead even to the valley of the Arnon, the middle of the valley, and the border of it, even to the river Jabbok, which is the border of the children of Ammon;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 4:43
namely, Bezer in the wilderness, in the plain country, for the Reubenites; and Ramoth in Gilead, for the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan, for the Manassites.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 29:8
and we took their land, and gave it for an inheritance to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to the half-tribe of the Manassites.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Joshua 1:12
Joshua spoke to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, saying,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Joshua 12:6
Moses the servant of Yahweh and the children of Israel struck them. Moses the servant of Yahweh gave it for a possession to the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Joshua 13:8
With him the Reubenites and the Gadites received their inheritance, which Moses gave them, beyond the Jordan eastward, even as Moses the servant of Yahweh gave them:
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Joshua 13:15
And Moses gave unto the tribe of the children of Reuben according to their families.
(See RSV)

Joshua 13:23
And as for the border of the children of Reuben, the Jordan was their border. This was the inheritance of the children of Reuben according to their families, the cities and the villages thereof.
(See RSV NIV)

Joshua 22:1
Then Joshua called the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Joshua 22:9
And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh returned, and departed from the children of Israel out of Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan, to go unto the land of Gilead, to the land of their possession, whereof they were possessed, according to the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.
(See RSV NIV)

Joshua 22:10
And when they came unto the region about the Jordan, that is in the land of Canaan, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh built there an altar by the Jordan, a great altar to look upon.
(See RSV NIV)

Joshua 22:11
And the children of Israel heard say: 'Behold, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh have built an altar in the forefront of the land of Canaan, in the region about the Jordan, on the side that pertaineth to the children of Israel.'
(See RSV)

Joshua 22:13
And the children of Israel sent unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, into the land of Gilead, Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest;
(See RSV)

Joshua 22:15
And they came unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, unto the land of Gilead, and they spoke with them, saying:
(See RSV)

Joshua 22:21
Then the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh answered, and spoke unto the heads of the thousands of Israel:
(See RSV)

Joshua 22:25
for the LORD hath made the Jordan a border between us and you, ye children of Reuben and children of Gad; ye have no portion in the LORD; so might your children make our children cease from fearing the LORD.
(See RSV NIV)

Joshua 22:30
And when Phinehas the priest, and the princes of the congregation, even the heads of the thousands of Israel that were with him, heard the words that the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the children of Manasseh spoke, it pleased them well.
(See RSV)

Joshua 22:31
And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the children of Manasseh: 'This day we know that the LORD is in the midst of us, because ye have not committed this treachery against the LORD; now have ye delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of the LORD.'
(See RSV)

Joshua 22:32
And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and the princes, returned from the children of Reuben, and from the children of Gad, out of the land of Gilead, unto the land of Canaan, to the children of Israel, and brought them back word.
(See RSV NIV)

Joshua 22:33
And the thing pleased the children of Israel; and the children of Israel blessed God, and spoke no more of going up against them to war, to destroy the land wherein the children of Reuben and the children of Gad dwelt.
(See RSV NIV)

Joshua 22:34
And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad called the altar--: 'for it is a witness between us that the LORD is God.'
(See RSV NIV)

2 Kings 10:33
from the Jordan eastward, all the land of Gilead, the Gadites, and the Reubenites, and the Manassites, from Aroer, which is by the valley of the Arnon, even Gilead and Bashan.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV)

1 Chronicles 5:6
Beerah his son, whom Tilgath Pilneser king of Assyria carried away captive: he was prince of the Reubenites.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 5:18
The sons of Reuben, and the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, as many as were valiant men, men able to bear buckler and sword, and to shoot with bow, and skilful in war, were forty and four thousand seven hundred and threescore, that were able to go forth to war.
(See RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 5:26
The God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, and the spirit of Tilgath Pilneser king of Assyria, and he carried them away, even the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, and brought them to Halah, and Habor, and Hara, and to the river of Gozan, to this day.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 11:42
Adina the son of Shiza the Reubenite, a chief of the Reubenites, and thirty with him,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 12:37
On the other side of the Jordan, of the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and of the half-tribe of Manasseh, with all manner of instruments of war for the battle, one hundred twenty thousand.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV)

1 Chronicles 26:32
His brothers, men of valor, were two thousand seven hundred, heads of fathers' houses, whom king David made overseers over the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half-tribe of the Manassites, for every matter pertaining to God, and for the affairs of the king. Ezra
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 27:16
Furthermore over the tribes of Israel: of the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri the ruler: of the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maacah:
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Subtopics

Reubenites

Reubenites: Assist the Other Tribes in Conquest of the Region West of the Jordan River

Reubenites: Have Their Inheritance East of the Jordan River

Reubenites: Military Enrollment of, at Mount Sinai

Reubenites: Military Enrollment of, in Moab

Reubenites: Place of, in Camping and Marching

Reubenites: Reproached by Deborah

Reubenites: Standard of

Reubenites: Taken Captive Into Assyria

Reubenites: Unite With the Other Tribes in Building a Monument

Related Terms