Genesis 35:22
20 Jacob set up a pillar on her grave; it marks Rachel’s tomb to this day.
21 Israel again set out and pitched his tent beyond the Tower of Eder.
While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard about it. Jacob had twelve sons:
23 The sons of Leah were Reuben the firstborn of Jacob, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun.
24 The sons of Rachel were Joseph and Benjamin.
Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard about it. Jacob had twelve sons:
- KJV
- And it came to pass, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father’s concubine: and Israel heard it. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve:
- WEB
- While Israel lived in that land, Reuben went and lay with Bilhah, his father’s concubine, and Israel heard of it. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve.
- ASV
- And it came to pass, while Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father`s concubine: and Israel heard of it. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve:
- DARBY
- And it came to pass when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah, his father's concubine; and Israel heard of it. And the sons of Jacob were twelve.
- BLB
- And it came to pass while Israel was dwelling in the land, that Reuben went in and lay with Bilhah, concubine of his father, and Israel heard [of it]. And the sons of Jacob were two [and] ten:
- ÅB
- Og mens Israel bodde der i landet, hendte det at Ruben gikk avsted og lå hos Bilha, sin fars medhustru; og Israel fikk høre om det - Jakob hadde tolv sønner.
- OTB
- Mens Israel bodde i det landet, gikk Ruben og lå med sin fars medhustru Bilha, og Israel fikk høre om det. Nå hadde Jakob tolv sønner:
- B1930
- Og mens Israel bodde der i landet, hendte det at Ruben gikk avsted og lå hos Bilha, sin fars medhustru; og Israel fikk høre om det - Jakob hadde tolv sønner.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
1 Chronicles 5:1
These were the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. Though he was the firstborn, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, because Reuben defiled his father’s bed. So he is not reckoned according to birthright.
Read in contextLeviticus 18:8
You must not have sexual relations with your father’s wife; it would dishonor your father.
Read in context1 Corinthians 5:1
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is intolerable even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife.
Read in context2 Samuel 16:21–22
Ahithophel replied, “Sleep with your father’s concubines, whom he has left to keep the palace. When all Israel hears that you have become a stench to your father, then the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened.”
Read in context2 Samuel 20:3
When David returned to his palace in Jerusalem, he took the ten concubines he had left to care for the palace, and he placed them in a house under guard. He provided for them, but he no longer slept with them. They were confined until the day of their death, living as widows.
Read in contextGenesis 49:1–28
Then Jacob called for his sons and said, “Gather around so that I can tell you what will happen to you in the days to come:
Read in contextNumbers 1:5–15
These are the names of the men who are to assist you: From the tribe of Reuben, Elizur son of Shedeur;
Read in context1 Chronicles 27:16–22
These officers were in charge of the tribes of Israel: Over the Reubenites was Eliezer son of Zichri; over the Simeonites was Shephatiah son of Maacah;
Read in context