Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel,(for he was the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright.

1 CHRONICLES 5:1KJV
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1 Chronicles 5:1 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 5:1 mean?

1 Chronicles 5:1 explains that although Reuben was the firstborn son of Israel (Jacob), he lost his special rights as firstborn because he dishonored his father. As a result, the birthright was given instead to Joseph’s sons, and the official family records do not follow the usual order of birthright.

This verse is part of a genealogy list, where the writer pauses to clarify why Reuben’s descendants are not listed first, even though he was Jacob’s oldest. The verse points out that Reuben’s action—defiling his father’s bed—led to a major shift in family inheritance, affecting the way the tribes of Israel are recognized and recorded.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 5:1

  • בְּכוֹר (bekhor, H1060) — "firstborn": This word refers to the oldest son, who would normally have special privileges and responsibilities in the family. The verse repeats this word to stress Reuben’s original position and the significance of losing it.
  • חִלֵּל (chillel, H2490) — "defiled": This verb means to profane or dishonor. The verse uses it to describe Reuben’s serious wrongdoing against his father, which is the reason for his loss of status.
  • מִשְׁכַּב (mishkav, H3326) — "bed": This word literally means a bed or place of lying down, but here it refers to the act that brought shame—Reuben’s relationship with his father’s concubine.
  • בְּכוֹרָה (bekhorah, H1062) — "birthright": This noun refers to the special inheritance and leadership rights of the firstborn. The verse explains that this privilege was transferred to Joseph’s sons instead.

Why 1 Chronicles 5:1 matters

  • 1 Chronicles 5:1 clarifies why the genealogical order of the tribes does not match the order of birth, helping readers understand the unusual placement of Joseph’s descendants.
  • The verse highlights the serious consequences of Reuben’s actions, showing how personal choices could affect not just individuals but entire family lines in Israel’s history.
  • This explanation sets up the rest of the genealogies in 1 Chronicles, helping readers follow the logic behind the arrangement and significance of the tribal records.

Where else these words appear

“bed” Hebrew H3326 · used in 8 verses

  • Genesis 49:4 Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father's bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch.
  • 1 Kings 6:6 The nethermost chamber was five cubits broad, and the middle was six cubits broad, and the third was seven cubits broad: for without in the wall of the house he made narrowed rests round about, that the beams should not be fastened in the walls of the house.
  • Job 17:13 If I wait, the grave is mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness.

“birthright” Hebrew H1062 · used in 14 verses

  • Genesis 4:4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
  • Genesis 25:34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.
  • Deuteronomy 12:17 Thou mayest not eat within thy gates the tithe of thy corn, or of thy wine, or of thy oil, or the firstlings of thy herds or of thy flock, nor any of thy vows which thou vowest, nor thy freewill offerings, or heave offering of thine hand:

“reckoned” Hebrew H3187 · used in 20 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 4:33 And all their villages that were round about the same cities, unto Baal. These were their habitations, and their genealogy.
  • 1 Chronicles 7:40 All these were the children of Asher, heads of their father's house, choice and mighty men of valour, chief of the princes. And the number throughout the genealogy of them that were apt to the war and to battle was twenty and six thousand men.
  • 2 Chronicles 31:18 And to the genealogy of all their little ones, their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, through all the congregation: for in their set office they sanctified themselves in holiness:

“Reuben” Hebrew H7205 · used in 68 verses

  • Genesis 29:32 And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me.
  • Numbers 13:4 And these were their names: of the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur.
  • Joshua 21:36 And out of the tribe of Reuben, Bezer with her suburbs, and Jahazah with her suburbs,