Journey Through The Scriptures

In many ways, the tribes of Israel that were founded by the sons of Jacob, or Israel, took on the character of their founder. The tribe of Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn son, is a case in point. The Reubenites should have had a double portion of the land of Israel when it was apportioned by Joshua, but that blessing was given to the sons of Joseph as a consequence of Reuben’s sin (Genesis 35:22). Perhaps a sense of resentment at being passed over for leadership among the tribes is what led several Reubenites to join in a disastrous rebellion against Moses and Aaron that cost these men and their families their lives.

The Bible says the Reubenites were “able-bodied men” and “trained for battle” (1 Chronicles 5:18) – although in the time of the judges, they were one of the tribes that refused to join Deborah and Barak in their battle against the nation’s enemies. Because of their location on the east side of the Jordan River, the Reubenites were isolated from the other tribes, causing them to fall into sin and idolatry more easily. When the nation was divided after King Solomon’s death, the Reubenites became absorbed into the northern kingdom, which was conquered by the Assyrians in 722 BCE.