Individual Characteristics Often Found Among Descendants of Reuben
(5 January, 2020, 8 Tevet 5780)
For a List of articles concerning Reuben see "The Tribe of Reuben"
We identify Reuben among the Lost Ten Tribes as different groups that mainly settled in France.
This present article is not concerned so much with the national character of the Tribes but with individuals that may be found among the French but also are present elsewhere.
The French are dominated by Reuben. Aspects of the French national character reflect those of Reuben.
Descendants of Reuben however may also be found among other Israelite peoples.
In our time indications are that representatives of ALL the Tribes are to be found in the USA and UK though Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh) is predominant in both of them.
Perhaps you are descended from Reuben?
Or know someone who might be?
Reuben was the First-born.
1-Chronicles 5:
1 Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn, but because he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel; so that he is not enrolled in the genealogy according to the birthright. 2 Though Judah prevailed over his brothers, and from him came the leader, yet the birthright belonged to Joseph), 3 the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel were Hanoch and Pallu, Hezron and Carmi. 4 The sons of Joel were Shemaiah his son, Gog his son, Shimei his son, 5 Micah his son, Reaiah his son, Baal his son, 6 Beerah his son, whom Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria carried away into exile; he was leader of the Reubenites.
The right of the first-born was taken from Reuben yet he retained the title (Genesis 35:23, 46:8, 49:3, Numbers 1:20, 26:5, 1-Chronicles 5:1, 3).
It would seem to have been important to him.
Is prestige and acknowledgement of your position important to you?
Genesis 35:
22 It came about while Israel was dwelling in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine, and Israel heard of it.
Now there were twelve sons of Jacob. 23 the sons of Leah: Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, then Simeon and Levi and Judah and Issachar and Zebulun;
At times Reuben would attempt to play a leadership role but in a non-assertive manner.
There were 12 sons of Jacob (also called "Israel") who became forefathers to the 12 Tribes of Israel. The favorite wife of Jacob was Rachel the mother of Joseph and Benjamin. When Joseph was young he was the favorite son of his father. He had dreams that his brothers and all his family would be subservient unto him (Genesis 37:5). Previously Joseph had told bad (apparently false, based on a misunderstanding) tales about his brother to their father (Genesis 37:2). The brothers of Joseph thought he was attemting to disposses them and placing their lives and families in danger. They decided to kill him. Reuben tried to save Joseph by suggesting that Joseph be not mudered outright but left to die in a pit. Reuben intended to return and save Joseph. He went away but meanwhile the other brothers at the behest of Judah sold Joseph to a caravan of Ishmaelite-Midianites going down to Egypt (Genesis 35:27-29). They then slaughtered a goat and smeared the coat of Joseph with its blood leading their father to beleive that Joseph had been killed by a wild beast. Reuben was not a party to this and may not have even known what had actually hapopened to Joseph!
Meanwhile had been taken to Egypt and from there been apointed effective ruler of the Land. Joseph stored up grain enabling Egypt to survive a famine. The Land of Canaan was also stricken with famine so the brothers of Joseph, iuncluding Reuben, were sent to Egypt to buy grain. When the brothers came to Egypt they encountered Joseph who had become the ruler of the country. They did not recognize Joseph but Joseph recognized them. Joseph accused them of being spies. The brothers then started accusing each other of not having taken pity on Joseph when he implored them to do so. They did not express regret for the intention to kill Joseph itself since Joseph was mistakenly believed by them to have been seeking their destruction. [We will explain this in more detail at another time]. Reuben however did bring up the subject.
Genesis 42:21 Then they said to one another, “Truly we are guilty concerning our brother, because we saw the distress of his soul when he pleaded with us, yet we would not listen; therefore this distress has come upon us.” 22 Reuben answered them, saying, “Did I not tell you, ‘Do not sin against the boy’; and you would not listen? Now comes the reckoning for his blood.”
The expression "the reckoning for his blood" may indicate that the brothers had sold Joseph without the knowledge of Reuben and that Reuben had assumed that they really had killed Joseph. This could indicate a degree of gullibility and the type of person who may sometimes take charge but at other times is left in the dark and circumvented. This also shows on the part of Reuben an attribute of empathy for others, of mercy and kindness. The reaction of Reuben also reveals a trait of Recrimination and Resentment, of accusing others of past sins, of faults, and of having caused trouble for others. Many people have this quality but some more than others.
Are you self-assertive?
Do you sometimes find yourself taking charge even though you may not be exactly suited to it and do not particularly want it?
When you try to take command do you expect others to go along with you but if they do not do you give up? Like Reuben did?
Joseph in Egypt when he met the brothers gave them food to take back to their families. He sent them away but kept Simeon with him as hostage and also demanded that they bring Benjamin back with them.
Benjamin was the son of Jacob and Rachel and the brother of Joseph. Jacob doted on Benjamin and did not wish to part from him. The brothers returned and told Jacob what had happened. Eventually the food they had returned with ran out as Joseph had foreseen. The brothers needed to go back to Egypt to get more food and Benjamin had to come with them. Jacob however refused.
Reuben pleaded with him.
Genesis 42:
37 Then Reuben spoke to his father, saying, 'You may put my two sons to death if I do not bring him back to you; put him in my care, and I will return him to you.'
We see here a QUALITY of taking the leading initiative and of self-sacrifice and responsibility. It is also somewhat exaggerated and irrational.
Jacob refused the offer. Later Judah said he would be surety for Benjamin till the end of time and Jacob accepted (Genesis 43:8-9).
Before he died Jacob blessed Reuben along with the other Tribes.
Genesis 49:
3 Reuben, you are my firstborn;
My might and the beginning of my strength,
Preeminent in dignity and preeminent in power.
4 Uncontrolled as water, you shall not have preeminence,
Because you went up to your father's bed;
Then you defiled it, he went up to my couch.
Reuben was the firstborn. He emanated strength, power, dignity, etc. Reuben however lacked a certain degree of stability.
He would always be in the forefront. In some matters he would be the first, the one to initiate change and so on. He would however lack the ability to stay at the top and continue to make his voice heard.
Reuben is described as once having acted irregularly with Bilhah, his father's concubine (Genesis 35:22). What actually happened is not certain but the simple text reads as if he did something untoward.
Rightly or wrongly the French historically have had an international reputation for romantic proclivities. When he was young Reuben had found mandrakes in the field (Genesis 30:14) and brought them to his mother Leah. Leah used these mandrakes to "hire" the attentions of her husband away from Rachel. Mandrakes, traditionally, had aphrodisiac qualities.
Reuben was romantic, sensual.
Reuben was the first born and this was important to him.
Reuben has the type of mind that says that since he was born in a certain way then specific rights accrue to him.
Reuben is rational. He wants matters to unfold according to a pre-set pattern.
He is also Hierarchical. [Joseph is also like this but in a different way].
Perhaps, ypou are like Reuben? Were you born in such a way, or did you learn at a certain level receiving a certificate or degree and therefore feel you deserve a position in accordance to what you were accredited with.
Do you have expectation that may not always synchronize with what others are prepared to give you.
Are you like this?
Are you both logical and impulsive?
France prior to the Franks was known as Gaul or Gallia and its inhabitants were called Galli, which in popular Latin also means "rooster".
The French later used a rooster or "cock" as their national animal representation.
A rooster seems to puff its chest out, strut around, emphasize its masculinity. A rooster will also fight for its rights..
The name Reuben in Hebrew primarily means "See-a-son" (Rue-ben) though it also has connotations of increase ("Ribui") and plenitude.
Are you acquisitive?
Of the sons of Reuben, "Hanoch" means "Inauguration", or "Education"; "Phalu" means "Distinction"; "Hetzron" denotes "Dweller-of -the-Courtyard"; and "Carmi" is derivable from "Cerem" meaning "Vineyard".
Do you prefer EXCELLENCE over economy and quantity?
Reuben was also associated with cattle, agriculture, vine-growing.
Hosea the Prophet was a son of Beeri a Prince of Reuben.
The Prophecy of Hosea centers around the relations of the Prophet with his wife Gomer. This was a loose women that Hosea was commanded to marry.
Hosea says she was not faithful to him. He is not certain about whether or not he is the real father of his children.
This is all symbolic.
Nevertheless, it may reflect a pre-occupation with sexual relations, faithfulness in marriage, and so on.
Hosea was a Prophet. He was also from the Tribe of Reuben.
Do you sometimes have a little bit of the Prophet within you?
Do you sense things by instinct that turn out to be correct?
We found Reuben to be pre-dominant among the French.
Do you have French ancestors?
Are you attracted to French culture?
The motif of the French Republic was
"Liberty, Equality, Fraternity."
Reuben had these qualities.
The attributes we found to be associated with Reuben include:
Leadership but not strongly assertive.
Merciful, Kind/
Instinctive.
Mystical, Patrtiotic, self-sacrificing.
Empathy for others, of mercy and kindness but a trait of recrimination, of blaming others, resentment.
Rational Thinking.
Expecting matters to work out as the book says, as they logically should.
A preference for good quality even if it costs much more than the alternative.
Enjoyment of life and of luxuries, good food, good wine, etc.
Sensual. Profligate? Romantic?