Genesis 35 23

Genesis 35:23 kjv

The sons of Leah; Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, and Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Zebulun:

Genesis 35:23 nkjv

the sons of Leah were Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, and Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun;

Genesis 35:23 niv

The sons of Leah: Reuben the firstborn of Jacob, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar and Zebulun.

Genesis 35:23 esv

The sons of Leah: Reuben (Jacob's firstborn), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun.

Genesis 35:23 nlt

The sons of Leah were Reuben (Jacob's oldest son), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun.

Genesis 35 verses

Genesis 35 23 meaning

This verse details the first six sons born to Jacob through his first wife, Leah. It explicitly identifies Reuben as Jacob's firstborn, followed by Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun, laying out the initial foundational components of the future twelve tribes of Israel.

Genesis 35 23 Context

Genesis chapter 35 chronicles Jacob's return to Bethel as commanded by God, where he renews his covenant with the Lord, worships Him, and re-establishes God's name for him as "Israel." This period is marked by significant events for Jacob's family: the purging of foreign gods from his household, the death of Deborah (Rebekah's nurse), the blessing of God upon Jacob, the birth of Benjamin (his twelfth son), and the tragic death of Rachel during Benjamin's birth. Immediately preceding this verse (Gen 35:22), Reuben commits an egregious sin by lying with Bilhah, Jacob's concubine. Amidst these deeply personal and formative events, verse 23 initiates a systematic listing of Jacob's sons, segmenting them by their mothers. This specific verse lists the sons born to Leah first, establishing the familial order and lineage from his first, though less favored, wife. This list serves as a foundational genealogical record, setting the stage for the later development of the twelve tribes of Israel, their identities, and their future roles in salvation history. It highlights the divine plan to build a nation through Jacob's lineage, despite internal strife and human imperfections.

Genesis 35 23 Word analysis

• The sons (Hebrew: בְּנֵי, bə-nê): This plural construct noun literally means "sons of." It signifies male offspring and underscores the patriarchal nature of the society and the focus on male lineage for tribal identity and continuity. Its prominence highlights the generative aspect crucial for building a nation.

• of Leah (Hebrew: לֵאָה, lē’āh): Leah, Jacob's first wife, was often considered less loved than Rachel (Gen 29:30). Despite this, she was the mother of six of Jacob's twelve sons, demonstrating God's blessing and recognition of her plight (Gen 29:31). Listing her sons first emphasizes her pivotal role in forming the primary Israelite tribal units.

• Reuben (Hebrew: רְאוּבֵן, rə’ûḇēn): His name means "Behold, a son!" (Gen 29:32). As Jacob's true firstborn, Reuben held the initial right to leadership and a double portion of inheritance. His position here reflects this original status despite his profound moral failing immediately prior to this list (Gen 35:22). This highlights a tension between divine order and human sin, with the latter often impacting the fulfillment of blessings.

• Jacob’s firstborn: This phrase emphasizes Reuben's natural and rightful position as the patriarch's eldest son. This status traditionally conferred significant authority and blessings. However, as documented in Gen 49:4 and 1 Chr 5:1-2, Reuben forfeited these birthright privileges due to his sin, a stark reminder that position does not guarantee privilege when iniquity abounds.

• Simeon (Hebrew: שִׁמְעוֹן, šim‘ôn): His name means "One who hears" or "heard" (Gen 29:33). Leah named him this, signifying God had "heard" her affliction. He, along with Levi, was instrumental in the violent reprisal against Shechem (Gen 34).

• Levi (Hebrew: לֵוִי, lēwî): His name means "Attached" or "joined" (Gen 29:34). Leah hoped her husband would be "joined" to her after this birth. While initially implicated in the Shechem violence (Gen 34), the tribe of Levi would later be consecrated by God for sacred service (Num 3:12), transforming a negative beginning into a uniquely honored role.

• Judah (Hebrew: יְהוּדָה, yəhûḏāh): His name means "Praise" (Gen 29:35). Leah praised the Lord for him. Judah's lineage becomes the royal line, ultimately leading to David and the Messiah, Jesus Christ (Matt 1:2-3). His eventual leadership and sacrifice (Gen 44:18-34) mark him as preeminent among his brothers.

• Issachar (Hebrew: יִשָּׂשׂכָר, yiśśāšḵār): His name is often translated as "There is reward" (Gen 30:18), relating to the mandrakes incident. The tribe of Issachar was known for its understanding of times and seasons (1 Chr 12:32).

• Zebulun (Hebrew: זְבֻלוּן, zəḇulun): His name means "Dwelling" or "honor" (Gen 30:20), indicating Leah's hope that Jacob would now dwell honorably with her. His tribe was blessed by Jacob to dwell by the sea (Gen 49:13), suggesting a commercial or maritime identity.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "The sons of Leah: Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn": This grouping immediately establishes the initial, divinely ordained familial hierarchy. Despite Reuben's severe recent moral failing, his position as "Jacob's firstborn" is affirmed in this official record, highlighting the importance of birth order in genealogical tracing, even when the privileges associated with it might be forfeited later. It contrasts biological reality with spiritual standing.
  • "and Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun": This continuation lists the remaining five sons of Leah in their chronological birth order. This sequential enumeration reinforces the methodical and foundational recording of the patriarch's offspring, upon whom the future nation of Israel would be built. This particular group contains Judah, whose progeny would receive the scepter and bear the Messianic line, signaling its profound future significance. The list is more than just a historical account; it is a prophecy and foundation for Israel's identity.

Genesis 35 23 Bonus section

• The meticulous listing of Jacob's sons by their mothers and birth order (Gen 35:22-26) emphasizes the complete family unit before Jacob's father, Isaac, dies. This full family tree serves as the direct link between the Patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) and the foundational 'tribes' of Israel.
• The placement of this detailed genealogy here is significant: it provides a complete record of "Israel" (Jacob's new name) and his direct progeny just before the account of Esau's descendants, effectively distinguishing the covenant line from others.
• The names of Leah's sons, individually meaningful (e.g., Reuben, "See, a son!"; Judah, "Praise"), reflect Leah's spiritual journey, her hopes, struggles, and ultimate praises to God despite being the less favored wife. This underlines that God saw her affliction and honored her in giving her so many foundational sons.

Genesis 35 23 Commentary

Genesis 35:23 serves as a pivotal genealogical listing, presenting the first six of Jacob's twelve sons, specifically those born to his first wife, Leah. Occurring shortly after Rachel's death and Reuben's transgression, this precise cataloging of Jacob's male heirs underscores God's steadfast commitment to building His covenant nation through chosen lineages, even amidst family dysfunction and sin. It reaffirms Reuben's unique status as the firstborn despite his recent misconduct, though the later loss of his birthright due to this act is foreshadowed elsewhere. More importantly, this verse includes Levi, the ancestor of the priestly tribe, and Judah, the progenitor of the royal and Messianic line. By systematically detailing these progenitors, the Bible lays the essential groundwork for understanding Israel's future tribal structure, territorial distribution, and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through history. It demonstrates God's sovereign work in bringing forth His purposes through individuals and families who are far from perfect, establishing a pattern of grace and divine election.