Sinai LogoSinai

Genesis 49:4

World English Bible

Boiling over like water, you shall not excel;
because you went up to your father’s bed,
then defiled it. He went up to my couch.

Read all of Genesis 49Open in the Sinai app

Genesis 49:4 in other translations

Boiling over as water, thou shalt not have the pre-eminence; Because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed; Then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch.

Genesis 49:4 · American Standard Version

Genesis 49:4 in context

  1. 2Assemble yourselves, and hear, you sons of Jacob.
    Listen to Israel, your father.
  2. 3“Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength;
    excelling in dignity, and excelling in power.
  3. 4Boiling over like water, you shall not excel;
    because you went up to your father’s bed,
    then defiled it. He went up to my couch.
  4. 5“Simeon and Levi are brothers.
    Their swords are weapons of violence.
  5. 6My soul, don’t come into their council.
    My glory, don’t be united to their assembly;
    for in their anger they killed men.
    In their self-will they hamstrung cattle.