Reuben

Size: First Census: 46,500. Second Census: 43,730.

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Location: The tribe settled outside the Promised Land, east of the Jordan River in rich pasture lands suitable for their large herds and flocks (Num. 32:1). Included Mt. Nebo from which Moses viewed the Promised Land.

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Jacob's Blessing: Jacob called his firstborn "my might, the first sign of my strenght, excelling in honer, excelling in power. "But Reuebn had relations with Bilhah, Rachel's handmaiden (Gen. 35:22), so Jacob rebuked him saying that he is "unstable as water" and he will "no longer excel" (Gen. 49:3-4).

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Moses' Blessing: :Let Reuben live and not die, nor his people be few" (Deut. 33:6).

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Notable: Reuben intervened on behalf of Joesph to save him from being killed by his brothers. Nevertheless, when Reuben returned, he discovered that his brothers had sold Joseph to slave traders (Gen. 37)

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The tribe of Reuben kept their word by helping the other tribes conquer the Promised Land, thought they themselves settled outside the land (Num.32; Josh 1:12-18). Yet at other times, they seemed indecisive and failed to assist in battle (Judg. 5:15-17).