These be the heads of their fathers’ houses: The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel; Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi: these be the families of Reuben.
These are the leaders of their family groups: The sons of Reuben, who was Israel's firstborn son, were Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi. These became the families of Reuben.
This verse begins a family record, listing the four sons of Reuben (Israel's oldest son) who became the heads of their own family clans.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Exodus, this verse is part of a genealogy that God provides to Moses during a time when the Israelites were enduring harsh slavery in Egypt. It lists the descendants of Reuben, Jacob's firstborn son, as a way to trace the tribal structure of Israel and affirm their identity as God's chosen people. This background underscores the importance of lineage in the biblical narrative, connecting the promises made to the patriarchs like Abraham to the current generation facing oppression.
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