# Reuben

## Facts:

Reuben was the firstborn son of Jacob. His mother was Leah.

* When his brothers were planning to kill their younger brother Joseph, Reuben spared Joseph’s life by telling them to put him into a pit instead.
* Reuben came back later to rescue Joseph, but the other brothers had sold him as a slave to merchants passing by.
* Reuben’s descendants became one of the twelve tribes of Israel.

(Translation suggestions: [How to Translate Names](rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names))

(See also: [Jacob](../names/jacob.md), [Joseph (OT)](../names/josephot.md), [Leah](../names/leah.md), [twelve tribes of Israel](../other/12tribesofisrael.md))

## Bible References:

* [Genesis 29:32](rc://en/tn/help/gen/29/32)
* [Genesis 35:21-22](rc://en/tn/help/gen/35/21)
* [Genesis 42:22](rc://en/tn/help/gen/42/22)
* [Genesis 42:37](rc://en/tn/help/gen/42/37)

## Word Data:

* Strong’s: H7205, H7206, G4502
