Gen 49:3 | MHM | STEP | v. 3 : Jacob begins with Reuben, his firstborn. He describes Reuben as his might and the beginning of his strength. As the oldest, Reuben should have had the highest dignity and power ( v. 3 ). In a family, the firstborn had special honor, but this could be lost by wrongdoing.

‏ Genesis 49:3

v. 3: Jacob begins with Reuben, his firstborn. He describes Reuben as his might and the beginning of his strength. As the oldest, Reuben should have had the highest dignity and power (v. 3 ^a). In a family, the firstborn had special honor, but this could be lost by wrongdoing.