In I', Reuben is Leah's son and Jacob's first- born, 35*», 46'-»=R, etc., 1 Ch 2'. Gn 48» ap- )arently implies that the birthright was trans- eired from Reuben and Sinieim to Ephraim and Manasseh. This is expressly stated oi Reuben in 1 Ch 5', and his incest is given as the reason.
Reuben is often regarded as merely the epo- nymous ancestor of tlie tribe, and the primitive traditions as tribal history cast in the form of personal narrative. See next article.
W. H. ni:NN'r,TT.
REUBEN (Tribe), REUBENITES, CHILDREN OF REUBEN, derivatives, etc., of Reuben, Roitbd,
' In 871 Reuben hM been •ubitituted tor Judah by u>
editor.
I
etc. — (Cf., throughout, Gad for the treatment of matters common to the two tribes, which is not, as a rule, repeated here).
i. Early History. — The relation of Reuben to the other tribes is indicated genealogically by the statement that Reuben was tlie firstborn, the son of Leah, that he committed incest with Billiah, and that the birthright was transferred to Ephraim and Manasseh ; i.e. in early times Reuben was the most powerful tribe and enjoyed the hegemony, which passed at a later period to Ephraim and Manasseh. The incest incident is variously inter- preted. Either the tribe retained a lax sexual morality abandoned by its fellows ; or it in some way assailed the rights of the BUhah tribes, Dan and Naphtali. If the latter view is taken, the reference must be to events before the Exodus ; otherwi.se it is impossible to determine whether these traditions refer to events before or after the Conquest. In the narrative of the rebellion of the Reubenite chiefs Dathan and Abiram against Moses (Nu 16, JE), we may have a reminiscence of an attempt of Reuben to assert its ancient rights as premier tribe.
As a 'son' of Leah, Reuben is grouped with Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebuhui, and Dinah. This arrangement does not agree with any knowii geographical or political conditions, and nmy be a reminiscence ot the state of affairs before the Exodus.
In P, etc. (Gn 46', Ex 6", Nu 26», 1 Ch 5'), the sons or clans of Reuben are Hanoch, Pallu, Ilezron, and Carmi ; and, at the Exodus, the prince of Reuben is Elizur ben-Shedeur (Nu 1» 2"> 7** 1U'»), and the Reubenite spy is Shammua ben-Zaccur (Nu 13*). Buchanan Gray {IIPX p. 197) is inclined to regard Shaddaiur [Shedeur] as one of a set of names which are 'archaic artificial formations,' not improbably created by the author of P, rather than 'names actually current at any period.' He seems to favour a similar view as to Elizur (p. 199). P also tells us that Reuben numbered 40,.'')00 (Nu I" 2") at the first census, and at the second 43,730 (Nu 26'). Reuben occupies the first place in Nu P- '" 26', but the fourth place in 2'» 7** lO'^. In the order of marching in the wilderness, Reuben headed the 'camp of Reuben,' which was on the south side, and also included Gad and Simeon, Nu 2".
ii. TiiR Conquest. — Reuben was associated with Gad in the occupation of Eastern Palestine, in co-operation with the other tribes in the Con-
3uest of the West, and in tlie return across the ordan, and the various incidents connected with the erection of a great altar (see Gad ii.).
iii. Thk Territory of Rkiihen ; cf. Gad iii.. Map and Table of Cities. — Besides minor references, we have two main accounts of the territory : (a) Nu 32"-*' (JE) 'The Reubcnites built Heshbon, Elealeh, Kiri.'ithaim, Nebo, Baal-meon (their names being changed), and Sibmah : and gave other names* unto the cities which they builded.' These cities lie in a district about midway between the Jabl)ok and the Arnon, but nearer to the southern stream. Dilmn and Aroer, given to Gad in the preceding paragraph, are to the south of the Reubenite cities; so that the territory of Reuben seems to have been an enclave in tliat of (iad. There is no trace of these cities being called by did'ereiit names either before or iiflcT—Bcth-baal-meon is only a variant of Bnnl-meon. The writer cannot intend to tell us that the Reubcnites gave to their cities the names of foreign gods, Nebo and liaal ; so tliat those given are the ancient names, anil tlie new names are not mentioned here or any- where else. Perhaps, as Dillmann suggests, the writer meant that the Reubcnites did not use such * *Qavo other names' often omitted by critics as a gloss.
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REUBEN, REUBEXITES
REUBEN, REUBENITES
names, but substituted others unconnectedwith the worship of false gods. This list may indicate the geographical relations of Gad and Reuben at some flourishing period of the Israelite monarchy. (6) Jos 13, P (using earlier sources?). The northern boundary of Reuben is a line drawn about E.N.E. eastwards from the northern end of the Dead Sea, or due E. from some point on the Jordan a little farther north. The line passed a little north of Heshbon. The W. boundary is the Dead Sea and the Jordan, the S. boundary is the Arnon, the E. boundary is not defined. As far as they have been identified, the cities assigned to Reuben else- where in P (Jos 20. 21) and in 1 Ch 6 fall in this district. The statements of P may not rest upon any actual knowledge of historical geography, but state a theory as to the legitimate claims of Reuben. (c) In 1 Ch 5«- " the Chronicler (so Kittel, SBOT) tells us that a Reubenite clan Joel (so apparently) occupied Aroer, as far as Nebo and Baal-meon ; but also mentions a Gadite clan Joel. If these statements rest on ancient tradition, we have a trace of the confusion arising