and then Reuben,
Parallel translations
- WEB By the border of Ephraim, from the east side even to the west side, Reuben, one portion.
- KJV And by the border of Ephraim, from the east side even unto the west side, a portion for Reuben.
- BSB Reuben will have one portion bordering the territory of Ephraim from east to west.
- NKJV by the border of Ephraim, from the east side to the west, one section for Reuben;
- NASB Beside the border of Ephraim, from the east side to the west side, Reuben, one portion.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Reuben receives its east-to-west portion next. The orderly allotment proceeds toward the center.
Overview
Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, is allotted his strip in the sequence approaching the holy district. The equal portions level distinctions of birth order, emphasizing shared inheritance. This pictures the gracious equality of all God's people as heirs together in Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 3
- Josh 13:15–21Moses gave to the tribe of the children of Reuben according to their families.
- Gen 49:3–4“Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength; excelling in dignity, and excelling in power.
- Gen 29:32Leah conceived, and bore a son, and she named him Reuben. For she said, “Because Yahweh has looked at my affliction. For now my husband will love me.”
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
The promise of one Shepherd-King David, a new heart and new Spirit, and the river of life flowing from the temple all stream toward Christ, the good Shepherd who gives the Spirit.
How Ezekiel 48:6 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.