What Does Genesis 49:3 Mean?

"Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the firstfruits of my strength, preeminent in dignity and preeminent in power." Reuben receives the most technically complete description of firstborn-status entitlement in the poem: firstborn, might, firstfruits of strength, preeminent in dignity, preeminent in power. The five characterizations accumulate the full honor of the firstborn position. The density of the firstborn language is the setup for what follows: the "but" that strips the firstborn of his due.

"Firstfruits of my strength" (Hebrew: re'shit oni: the beginning of my vigor) uses agricultural language to describe the firstborn: the first and therefore best of the reproductive harvest, the sign of the father's vitality. In Israelite agricultural practice, the firstfruits were dedicated to God because they were the first and best of the yield. Calling Reuben the "firstfruits of my strength" is both the highest honor (firstborn) and the language of dedication: but Reuben will fail to live up to what the dedicatory status required.

"Preeminent in dignity and preeminent in power": the twofold preeminence that birth order entitled Reuben to. The firstborn conventionally received a double inheritance, family headship, and the right to lead the brothers. All of this is acknowledged as rightfully Reuben's by birth: he should have had dignity and power preeminent among the brothers. The acknowledgment of his rightful entitlement is followed by the explanation of why he does not have it.