unfoldingWord_en_tn/gen/49/03.md

## the beginning of my strength ##

Hebrew parents would dedicate their first child to God. The words "beginning" and "first-fruit" means that Reuben belonged to God in a special way. Alternate translation: "the first-fruit of my manhood."

## outstanding in dignity, and outstanding in power ##

"You are first in honor and power."

## Uncontrollable as rushing water ##

Jacob compares Reuben to water in a strong current to emphasize that he cannot control his anger and he is not stable. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])

## you shall not have the pre-eminence ##

"you shall not be first among your brothers"

## because you went up to your father’s bed. Then you defiled it; you went up to my couch. ##

This refers to when Reuben slept with Bilhah in [Genesis 35:21](../35/21.md). This can be made explicit: "because you went to my bed and had sex with Bilhah my concubine. You brought shame on me." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
-												added v1 tn converted to an rc

											
										
										
											2017-06-21 20:45:09 +00:00
+								## the beginning of my strength ##
-												Initial commit of translationNotes

											
										
										
											2016-02-23 02:42:46 +00:00
-												added v1 tn converted to an rc

											
										
										
											2017-06-21 20:45:09 +00:00
+								Hebrew parents would dedicate their first child to God. The words "beginning" and "first-fruit" means that Reuben belonged to God in a special way. Alternate translation: "the first-fruit of my manhood."
-												Initial commit of translationNotes

											
										
										
											2016-02-23 02:42:46 +00:00
-												added v1 tn converted to an rc

											
										
										
											2017-06-21 20:45:09 +00:00
+								## outstanding in dignity, and outstanding in power ##
-												Initial commit of translationNotes

											
										
										
											2016-02-23 02:42:46 +00:00
-												added v1 tn converted to an rc

											
										
										
											2017-06-21 20:45:09 +00:00
+								"You are first in honor and power."
 								## Uncontrollable as rushing water ##
 								Jacob compares Reuben to water in a strong current to emphasize that he cannot control his anger and he is not stable. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])
 								## you shall not have the pre-eminence ##
 								"you shall not be first among your brothers"
 								## because you went up to your father’s bed. Then you defiled it; you went up to my couch. ##
 								This refers to when Reuben slept with Bilhah in [Genesis 35:21](../35/21.md). This can be made explicit: "because you went to my bed and had sex with Bilhah my concubine. You brought shame on me." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])