Deuteronomy 33:6
“Let Reuben live, and not die, but let his men be few.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Deuteronomy 33:6
“Let Reuben live, and not die, but let his men be few.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This verse is less about a simple wish for Reuben's survival and more about a subtle, yet significant, conditional blessing. Moses, recognizing Reuben's past transgressions, blesses them with continued existence, but with the underlying caveat that their numbers should not become few, implying a need for continued faithfulness to maintain their place among the tribes.
Moses delivers final blessings to the tribes of Israel before their entry into the Promised Land. Following his pronouncements for Reuben, he turns to Simeon, though this verse focuses solely on Reuben's future. This chapter contains a prophetic song and blessings that echo Jacob's earlier words, highlighting God's faithfulness and the unique destinies of each tribe as they prepare to inherit their portions.
This blessing from Moses comes at a pivotal moment, just before Israel enters the Promised Land. It reflects not only a prayer for future favor but also acknowledges the past actions and the distinct destinies of each tribe, particularly Reuben, whose birthright was forfeited due to misconduct but who is nonetheless promised continued existence within the covenant community.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Moses Blesses the Tribes
On the plains of Moab, just before entering the Promised Land, Moses blesses the twelve tribes of Israel. This blessing, recorded in Deuteronomy 33, functions as a prophetic testament to their future.
c. 1406 BC
Joshua Leads Israel into Canaan
Following Moses' death, Joshua leads the Israelites in conquering and dividing the land of Canaan among the twelve tribes.
c. 1350 BC - c. 1050 BC
Period of the Judges
This era is marked by cycles of disobedience, oppression, and deliverance, during which the distinct characteristics and fortunes of each tribe become more apparent.
c. 1050 BC
United Monarchy Begins
Saul is anointed king, followed by David, uniting the twelve tribes under a single monarchy. This period sees the rise of prominent figures from tribes like Judah and Benjamin.
This passage is Jacob's dying words to Reuben, lamenting his loss of primogeniture due to his sin, directly paralleling the mitigated blessing and warning given to Reuben's descendants here.
Numbers 1:20-21This census count from the wilderness journey shows Reuben as a significant tribe, but later counts reveal a decline, reflecting the tension in Deuteronomy 33:6 between enduring and potentially diminishing.
1 Chronicles 5:18This historical account highlights the Hagarites defeating Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh, demonstrating a period where Reuben's 'living' was indeed a struggle against powerful enemies, echoing the verse's concern.
Joshua 13:15-23This passage details the inheritance granted to Reuben east of the Jordan, a land known for its pasture but also its proximity to conflict, illustrating the context for their tribal existence as described in Deuteronomy.
calvinDeuteronomy 33:1-29: "And this is the blessing, wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death."
And for the precious things of the earth, and fullness thereof, and for the good-will of him that dwelt in the bush: let the blessing come upon the head of Joseph, and upon the top of the head of him that was separated from his brethren.
Et ob prastantiam terrae, et ob plenitudinem ejus: et beneplacitum habitatoris rubi veniat super caput Joseph, et super ver…
barnesDeuteronomy 33:6: "Let Reuben live, and not die; and let not his men be few."
Let not his men be few - literally, "a number," i. e., "a small number," such as could be easily counted (compare Genesis 34:30 note). While the verse promises that the tribe shall endure and prosper, yet it is so worded as to carry with it a warning. The Reubenites, occupied with their herds and flocks, appear, soon after the days of Joshua, to have lost their early energy, until in later times its numbers, even when…
This verse is less about a simple wish for Reuben's survival and more about a subtle, yet significant, conditional blessing. Moses, recognizing Reuben's past transgressions, blesses them with continued existence, but with the underlying caveat that their numbers should not become few, implying a need for continued faithfulness to maintain their place among the tribes.
Moses delivers final blessings to the tribes of Israel before their entry into the Promised Land. Following his pronouncements for Reuben, he turns to Simeon, though this verse focuses solely on Reuben's future. This chapter contains a prophetic song and blessings that echo Jacob's earlier words, highlighting God's faithfulness and the unique destinies of each tribe as they prepare to inherit their portions.
Moses delivers final blessings to the tribes of Israel before their entry into the Promised Land. Following his pronouncements for Reuben, he turns to Simeon, though this verse focuses solely on Reuben's future. This chapter contains a prophetic song and blessings that echo Jacob's earlier words, highlighting God's faithfulness and the unique destinies of each tribe as they prepare to inherit their portions.
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c. 931 BC
Kingdom Divides
Following Solomon's death, the united kingdom splits into the Northern Kingdom of Israel (ten tribes) and the Southern Kingdom of Judah (primarily Judah and Benjamin).
"“Let Reuben live, and not die, but let his men be few.”" — This verse is less about a simple wish for Reuben's survival and more about a subtle, yet significant, conditional blessing. Moses, recognizing Reuben's past transgressions, blesses them with continu…