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.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Genesis 35:22" mean?
Genesis 35:22 is a pivotal verse that, despite its brevity, carries significant weight and raises several questions. Let's break down its meaning:
"While Israel lived in that land..." This refers to Jacob (who was renamed Israel by God) settling in the land of Canaan. He was still dealing with the aftermath of Shechem's rape of Dinah and the subsequent revenge by Simeon and Levi.
"Reuben went and lay with Bilhah, his father’s concubine..." This is the core of the verse and describes a morally reprehensible act.
Reuben was Jacob's eldest son, which gave him certain rights and responsibilities within the family.
Bilhah was Rachel's handmaid, whom Rachel gave to Jacob as a concubine because she was initially unable to bear children. Bilhah bore Jacob two sons, Dan and Naphtali.
"Lay with" is a euphemism for sexual intercourse.
Having sexual relations with one's father's concubine was considered a grave offense in that culture, a serious violation of familial and social norms. It was seen as an act of defiling his father's bed and a challenge to Jacob's authority. It essentially claimed rights of inheritance and power over the family.
"...and Israel heard of it." This highlights the seriousness of the act. It wasn't a secret; it became known to Jacob. This would have been deeply upsetting and distressing for him.
"Now the sons of Jacob were twelve." This seemingly simple statement serves as a contextual reminder. Despite the scandal involving Reuben, the family was still complete, with all twelve sons, who would become the heads of the twelve tribes of Israel. It emphasizes the potential consequences of Reuben's actions in disrupting the family order and lineage.
Significance and Interpretation:
Loss of Primogeniture: Reuben's actions had dire consequences. Though he was the firstborn, this act caused him to lose the birthright. 1 Chronicles 5:1-2 states, "Reuben was the firstborn, but because he defiled his father’s marriage bed, his rights as firstborn were given to the sons of Joseph, son of Israel; so he could not be listed in the genealogical record in accordance with his birth. Though Judah was the strongest of his brothers and a ruler came from him, the rights of the firstborn belonged to Joseph." The birthright, including the double portion of inheritance and leadership, was transferred to Joseph. The leadership aspect went to Judah.
Moral Decline: The story illustrates a potential for moral decline even within the chosen family. It highlights the fact that these individuals were not perfect and struggled with sin, just like everyone else.
Consequences of Sin: The verse serves as a reminder that actions have consequences, both immediate and long-term. Reuben's impulsive act had profound repercussions for himself and his descendants.
God's Sovereignty: Despite Reuben's sin, God's plan for the nation of Israel continued. He worked through flawed individuals to fulfill His purposes. The listing of the twelve sons reminds us that God's covenant was still in place.
In summary, Genesis 35:22 is a brief but impactful verse that recounts a serious act of transgression by Reuben, Jacob's eldest son. This act resulted in him losing his birthright and highlights the consequences of sin, the imperfections within the patriarchs' families, and God's continued sovereignty in fulfilling His promises.
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.
What does "Genesis 35:22" mean?
Genesis 35:22 is a pivotal verse that, despite its brevity, carries significant weight and raises several questions. Let's break down its meaning:
"While Israel lived in that land..." This refers to Jacob (who was renamed Israel by God) settling in the land of Canaan. He was still dealing with the aftermath of Shechem's rape of Dinah and the subsequent revenge by Simeon and Levi.
"Reuben went and lay with Bilhah, his father’s concubine..." This is the core of the verse and describes a morally reprehensible act.
Reuben was Jacob's eldest son, which gave him certain rights and responsibilities within the family.
Bilhah was Rachel's handmaid, whom Rachel gave to Jacob as a concubine because she was initially unable to bear children. Bilhah bore Jacob two sons, Dan and Naphtali.
"Lay with" is a euphemism for sexual intercourse.
Having sexual relations with one's father's concubine was considered a grave offense in that culture, a serious violation of familial and social norms. It was seen as an act of defiling his father's bed and a challenge to Jacob's authority. It essentially claimed rights of inheritance and power over the family.
"...and Israel heard of it." This highlights the seriousness of the act. It wasn't a secret; it became known to Jacob. This would have been deeply upsetting and distressing for him.
"Now the sons of Jacob were twelve." This seemingly simple statement serves as a contextual reminder. Despite the scandal involving Reuben, the family was still complete, with all twelve sons, who would become the heads of the twelve tribes of Israel. It emphasizes the potential consequences of Reuben's actions in disrupting the family order and lineage.
Significance and Interpretation:
Loss of Primogeniture: Reuben's actions had dire consequences. Though he was the firstborn, this act caused him to lose the birthright. 1 Chronicles 5:1-2 states, "Reuben was the firstborn, but because he defiled his father’s marriage bed, his rights as firstborn were given to the sons of Joseph, son of Israel; so he could not be listed in the genealogical record in accordance with his birth. Though Judah was the strongest of his brothers and a ruler came from him, the rights of the firstborn belonged to Joseph." The birthright, including the double portion of inheritance and leadership, was transferred to Joseph. The leadership aspect went to Judah.
Moral Decline: The story illustrates a potential for moral decline even within the chosen family. It highlights the fact that these individuals were not perfect and struggled with sin, just like everyone else.
Consequences of Sin: The verse serves as a reminder that actions have consequences, both immediate and long-term. Reuben's impulsive act had profound repercussions for himself and his descendants.
God's Sovereignty: Despite Reuben's sin, God's plan for the nation of Israel continued. He worked through flawed individuals to fulfill His purposes. The listing of the twelve sons reminds us that God's covenant was still in place.
In summary, Genesis 35:22 is a brief but impactful verse that recounts a serious act of transgression by Reuben, Jacob's eldest son. This act resulted in him losing his birthright and highlights the consequences of sin, the imperfections within the patriarchs' families, and God's continued sovereignty in fulfilling His promises.