Reubenites

/ROO-ben-yts/

Summary

The Reubenites were the descendants of Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, who settled east of the Jordan and eventually were carried into captivity by Assyria.

☩Settlement East of Jordan

The tribe of Reuben, along with Gad and half of Manasseh, requested and received territory east of the Jordan because of their large herds. This well-watered pastoral land suited their livestock-based economy. They agreed to help conquer Canaan before returning to their inheritance.

Key verses:Numbers 32:1-38Joshua 13:15-23

☩Decline and Captivity

The Reubenites' isolation east of Jordan led to spiritual decline. They did not respond to Deborah's call in the war against Sisera, preferring to stay among their flocks. Eventually they 'transgressed against the God of their fathers' and were among the first tribes carried into Assyrian captivity.

Key verses:Judges 5:15-161 Chronicles 5:25-26

Related Verses26 mentions

Joshua· 7 verses

1:12 12:6 13:8 13:15 18:7

Numbers· 6 verses

1:20 1:21 2:10 10:18 26:7

1 Chronicles· 6 verses

5:6 5:26 11:42 12:37 26:32

Deuteronomy· 4 verses

3:12 3:16 4:43 29:8

References

1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Reubenites," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VIII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
2.James Orr (ed.), "Reuben," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Reuben," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).