Jacob, later renamed Israel, had 12 sons. These 12 sons became the 12 tribes of Israel. The eldest of these was Reuben, son of Jacob’s first wife, Leah. When Reuben grew older, he slept with his father’s concubine, Bilhah, but why? Why would Reuben sleep with the mother of his two younger brothers, Dan and Naphtali? Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he searches through Scripture for answers in his video, Why Did Reuben Sleep With Bilhah?
Genesis 35:16-21
Genesis 29:17-18
Genesis 29:31
Genesis 30:14-16
Genesis 49:3-4
Why Did Reuben Sleep With Bilhah?
The Story of Reuben and Bilhah In The Bible
16 Then they journeyed from Bethel. When they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel went into labor, and she had hard labor. 17 And when her labor was at its hardest, the midwife said to her, “Do not fear, for you have another son.” 18 And as her soul was departing (for she was dying), she called his name Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin. 19 So Rachel died, and she was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem), 20 and Jacob set up a pillar over her tomb. It is the pillar of Rachel’s tomb, which is there to this day. 21 Israel journeyed on and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder. 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. 23 The sons of Leah: Reuben (Jacob’s firstborn), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. 24 The sons of Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin. 25 The sons of Bilhah, Rachel’s servant: Dan and Naphtali. 26 The sons of Zilpah, Leah’s servant: Gad and Asher. These were the sons of Jacob who were born to him in Paddan-aram.
Genesis 35:16-26
3 Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the firstfruits of my strength, preeminent in dignity and preeminent in power. 4 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!
Genesis 49:3-4
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