## now Reuben ##

The word "now" is used here to mark the change from the lists of descendants to background information about Reuben. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])

## but his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel ##

AT: "but Israel gave Reuben's birthright to the sons of Joseph, another of Israel's sons" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

## Reuben had defiled his father’s couch ##

This is a polite way to speak about Reuben sleeping with father's secondary wife. (See:[[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism]]) The  couch is the place where a man and his wife would have slept together. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

## So he is not recorded  as being the oldest ##

AT: "So the family history does not list Reuben as the oldest son" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

## Hanoch...Pallu...Hezron...Carmi ##

These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])