1 Chronicles 5:1, 1 Chronicles 5:17 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Chronicles 5:1-17

We have here an extract out of the genealogies, I. Of the tribe of Reuben, where we have, 1. The reason why this tribe is thus postponed. It is confessed that Reuben was the first-born of Israel, and, upon that account, might challenge the precedency; but he forfeited his birthright by defiling his father's concubine, and was, for that, sentenced not to excel, Gen. 49:4. Sin lessens men, thrusts them down from their excellency. Seventh-commandment sins especially leave an indelible stain upon... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Chronicles 5:1

Now the sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel ,.... Are as follow in 1 Chronicles 5:3 where the account begins; for what comes between this and that is in a parenthesis: for he was the firstborn ; of Jacob by his wife Leah; that must be owned, and Jacob allows it, Genesis 49:3 and yet the genealogy in this book begins not with him, as might on that account be expected; the reason follows: but forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed : by lying with Bilhah his concubine: his... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Chronicles 5:1

The sons of Reuben the first-born - As Reuben was the eldest son of Jacob, why was not his genealogy reviewed first? This verse answers the question; he lost the birth-right because of the transgression mentioned Genesis 35:22 ; Genesis 49:4 , and the precedency was given to Judah; from him therefore came the chief ruler. This appears to be the meaning of the place. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Chronicles 5:1-10

EXPOSITION THE SONS OF REUBEN . The tribe of Reuben is now taken third in order by the compiler, though Reuben was the first of all the sons of Israel. The distinct statements of 1 Chronicles 5:1 and 1 Chronicles 5:2 , respecting the degradation of Reuben and his loss of the rights of primogeniture, are not to be understood, however, as mentioned in any way to account for his standing third here. That Judah takes in any genealogy the first place needs no other apology than... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Chronicles 5:1

His birthright was given ... - In particular, the right of the first-born to a double inheritance Deuteronomy 21:17 was conferred on Joseph, both by the expressed will of Jacob Genesis 48:22 and in the actual partition of Canaan Josh. 16–17. But though the birthright, as respecting its material privileges, passed to Joseph, its other rights, those of dignity and pre-eminence, fell to Judah; of whom came the chief ruler, an allusion especially to David, though it may reach further, and include a... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Chronicles 5:1

1 Chronicles 5:1. The son of Israel This is added emphatically, because the sons of Joseph, Manasseh, and Ephraim were treated as if they had been the immediate sons of Jacob. The genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright This is the second reason which showeth both why Reuben’s genealogy was not first mentioned, and if another tribe was to be ranked before it, why that was Judah, and not Joseph, because the order of their genealogy was not to be ruled by the birthright, but by... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Chronicles 5:1-26

The eastern tribes (5:1-26)At the beginning of this section, the writer gives the reason why he listed the genealogy of Judah before that of Reuben, the firstborn. Reuben had lost his rights as the firstborn (see Genesis 35:22), so the ruling power in Israel was given to Judah instead. The firstborn’s double portion of the inheritance went to Joseph, who received two tribes in Israel (Ephraim and Manasseh). The descendants of Reuben, along with those of Gad and half the tribe of Manasseh, dwelt... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Chronicles 5:1

forasmuch. Compare Genesis 35:22 ; Genesis 49:4 . not to be reckoned, &c. = not to be enrolled in the place of the firstborn. birthright . See note on Genesis 25:31 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Chronicles 5:1

"And the sons of Reuben the first-born of Israel (for he was the first-born; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father's couch, his birthright was given to Joseph the son of Israel; and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright. For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the prince; but the birthright was Joseph's), the sons of Reuben the first-born of Israel: Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi. The sons of Joel: Shemaiah his son, Gog his son, Shemei his son, Micah... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Chronicles 5:1

1. Now the sons of Reuben—In proceeding to give this genealogy, the sacred historian states, in a parenthesis (1 Chronicles 5:1; 1 Chronicles 5:2), the reason why it was not placed first, as Reuben was the oldest son of Jacob. The birthright, which by a foul crime he had forfeited, implied not only dominion, but a double portion (1 Chronicles 5:2- :); and both of these were transferred to Joseph, whose two sons having been adopted as the children of Jacob (1 Chronicles 5:2- :), received each an... read more

1 Chronicles 5:1, 1 Chronicles 5:17 Niv