In Genesis 35, we encounter a brief, but significant, incident involving Reuben, the firstborn son of Jacob. “While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard about it” (Gen. 35:22 BEREAN). This single verse, contained within a chapter detailing Jacob’s return to Bethel and the death of Rachel, carries weighty implications for the future of Jacob’s family and Reuben’s tribe.
At first glance, Reuben’s act appears to be a straightforward case of sexual immorality. However, there is probably more going on here than a modern Bible student would be able to grasp given our societal expectations. Reuben’s actions may not have been about sexual gratification. There are at least two other reasons he may have sinned in this way against his father and Bilhah. An examination of the cultural context reveals a more complex situation involving power dynamics, social status, and clan leadership.
Reuben’s power grab?
In ancient Near Eastern societies, possession of a patriarch’s concubines symbolized authority and leadership within the clan. Typically, this transfer of “ownership” occurred after the patriarch’s death as part of the succession process. John Walton explains:
“Though this is technically an incestuous act, the offense here is treated more as social usurpation than as sexual immorality. Possession of the concubines that belonged to the head of the clan was presumably a sign of leadership in the clan. When the father died, the care and ownership of the concubines (as part of his property) passed to the next head of the clan. To seize ownership of the concubines prior to the father’s death would then be seen as an act of subversion and disrespect (comparable to seizing land or herds), but would not be unusual if succession to clan leadership were contested.
In this context, Reuben’s offense against his father circumvents proper succession procedures and implies that the father is powerless.”1
Reuben’s actions, therefore, could represent a bold and premature grab for power. By sleeping with Bilhah, he effectively declared himself the new leader of the clan while his father was still alive. This act of usurpation challenged Jacob’s authority and disrupted the established order of succession.
Reuben’s misguided loyalty?
The timing of Reuben’s transgression is crucial to understanding its full implications. It occurs shortly after the death of Rachel, Jacob’s preferred wife to whom Bilhah was a handmaid. In this context, Reuben’s action may have been an attempt to secure his mother Leah’s position as the primary wife in the family hierarchy. By defiling Bilhah, Rachel’s servant, Reuben might have intended to eliminate her as a potential replacement for Rachel in Jacob’s affections. This would ensure Bilhah could not surpass Leah in status. Gordon Wenham comments about this possibility:
“It seems likely that Reuben’s motives were more than sensual. By his act, he hoped to prevent Rachel’s maid succeeding Rachel as his father’s favorite wife. Reuben resented that Jacob did not honor his mother Leah.”2
Bilhah’s role in this incident remains ambiguous. She may have acquiesced to Reuben’s advances, believing that he was about to become the family leader and hoping to secure a better position for herself. Alternatively, she may have been a passive victim in a power play that diminished her standing within the clan. The text leaves this an open question.
Family dynamics
The author of Genesis follows this incident with a detailed listing of Jacob’s twelve sons and their mothers (Gen 35:23-26). This seemingly abrupt shift in focus may serve several narrative purposes. First, it reasserts the proper family structure and hierarchy that Reuben had just challenged. Second, it emphasizes Reuben’s position as the firstborn, highlighting what he stands to lose through his actions. Third, it provides context for understanding the complex relationships and power dynamics within Jacob’s family.
Immediate and long-term consequences
Interestingly, Genesis 35 does not detail the immediate consequences of Reuben’s actions. The text simply states, “And Israel heard of it,” leaving the reader to wonder about Jacob’s immediate reaction. However, the long-term repercussions become clear in Genesis 49, when Jacob delivers his final blessings and prophecies to his sons:
3 Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power. 4 Uncontrolled as the waters, you will no longer excel, because you went up to your father’s bed, onto my couch, and defiled it. (Gen. 49:3-4 BEREAN)
This rebuke reveals the lasting impact of Reuben’s transgression. Jacob acknowledges Reuben’s birthright and natural position of preeminence but declares that he will not retain this status. The metaphor “unstable as water” suggests a lack of solid character and trustworthiness. Jacob explicitly links this loss of status to Reuben’s act with Bilhah, describing it as a defilement of his own bed.
The broader impact on Reuben’s tribe
The consequences of Reuben’s actions extend beyond his own life. In later biblical history, we see that the tribe of Reuben never achieves prominence among the twelve tribes of Israel. The right of the firstborn, which should have been Reuben’s, is instead divided among his brothers. Joseph receives a double portion of the inheritance through his sons Ephraim and Manasseh (Gen 48:5-6), while Judah gains the position of leadership and becomes the royal tribe from which King David and, ultimately, the Messiah would come.
Reuben’s story as a cautionary tale
We can’t be entirely certain if Reuben’s motive was about power, or exalting his mother, Leah. Regardless, his story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of impulsive actions and the pursuit of ends through improper means. It illustrates how a single act can have far-reaching consequences, not only for the individual but for generations to come. Moreover, it provides insight into the complex social and political dynamics that shaped the formation of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Reuben’s transgression in Genesis 35:22 is far more than a simple act of sexual immorality. It most likely represents a calculated move that backfired spectacularly, resulting in the loss of his birthright and the diminishment of his tribe’s prospects. This incident underscores the importance of integrity, respect for authority, and patience in matters of succession and leadership. It reminds us that actions born of improper motives can have lasting and unforeseen consequences, shaping not just individual destinies but the course of history itself.