Verse

Genesis 49:4

ESV Unstable as water, you shall not have preeminence, because you went up to your father 's bed; then you defiled it — he went up to my couch!
NIV Turbulent as the waters, you will no longer excel, for you went up onto your father’s bed, onto my couch and defiled it.
NASB Uncontrollable as water, you shall not have preeminence, Because you went up to your father’s bed; Then you defiled it—he went up to my couch.
CSB Turbulent as water, you will not excel, because you got into your father’s bed and you defiled it—he got into my bed.
NLT But you are as unruly as a flood, and you will be first no longer. For you went to bed with my wife; you defiled my marriage couch.
KJV Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father's bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch.
NKJV Unstable as water, you shall not excel, Because you went up to your father’s bed; Then you defiled itHe went up to my couch.

What does Genesis 49:4 mean?

Jacob is offering an oracle, on his deathbed, which predicts the fates of the generations coming from his twelve sons. In the previous verse, Jacob described Reuben's lofty status as the firstborn (Genesis 49:3). Typically, this would identify Reuben as the most prestigious among his brothers. However, as Jacob explains, that position has been lost to Reuben forever.

Though details are few, what's recorded in Genesis 35:22 is disturbing. After the death of Jacob's beloved wife Rachel, Reuben apparently had sexual relations with Bilhah, one of Jacob's two servant-wives. Bilhah was something like Reuben's stepmother, as well as his father's wife. Scripture gives no reason why Reuben did this. It's possible he was trying to rebel against Jacob—to assert his dominance and take over leadership of the family in Jacob's moment of weakness.

All Genesis has revealed, so far, is that Jacob (Genesis 35:10–11) heard about this heinous act. The fact that Scripture recorded no immediate punishment does not mean there was no such reaction; but whatever happened was not included in that passage. Here, we see that this act was by no means forgotten. That sin is given as the reason Reuben lost the firstborn status.

Jacob comments that Reuben is "unstable as water." Scholars are unclear about exactly what that phrase means, but a lack of conviction marks Reuben's descendants throughout the Old Testament (Judges 5:15–16). Further, no prophets, kings, or judges will be associated with the tribe of Reuben.

This would serve as a clear warning to Israel. God holds His people accountable for sin, even when circumstances make it appear they have "gotten away with it." Also, God considers the marriage bed holy (Hebrews 13:4). To defile it as Reuben did brings serious consequences.
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