Deuteronomy 33:6

BLESSING OF REUBEN (Deuteronomy 33:6)

"Let Reuben live and not die;

Nor let his men be few."

Despite the fact of Reuben's being removed from the coveted position of the first-born because of his adultery with one of Jacob's concubines (Bilhah), the blessing of God was poured out upon him in the fact that he did not perish as a result of his sin, but was allowed to continue as one of the Twelve Tribes, at times being somewhat powerful. Some versions render the second line above, "Let his men be few," and from this many project the continued decline of Reuben, but we have seen nothing that requires our departure from the ASV.