The Meaning of Genesis 49:3 Explained

Genesis 49:3

KJV: Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:

YLT: Reuben! my first-born thou, My power, and beginning of my strength, The abundance of exaltation, And the abundance of strength;

Darby: Reuben, thou art my firstborn, My might, and the firstfruits of my vigour: Excellency of dignity, and excellency of strength.

ASV: Reuben, thou art my first-born, my might, and the beginning of my strength; The pre-eminence of dignity, and the pre-eminence of power.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Reuben,  thou [art] my firstborn,  my might,  and the beginning  of my strength,  the excellency  of dignity,  and the excellency  of power: 

What does Genesis 49:3 Mean?

Context Summary

Genesis 49:1-13 - Jacob Foretells The Future Of His Sons
Once more Joseph visited his father's dying-bed. This was the third time and the last. He stood as one of twelve strong bearded men, gathered around the aged form, whose face was shadowed by death, but aglow with the light of prophecy. How intense their silent awe as they heard their names called one by one, by the old man's trembling voice, speaking with difficulty! The character of each was delineated with unerring insight: the outstanding incidents of their past history enumerated and their future forecasted. The scene was an anticipation of the final judgment, where men shall hear their lives reviewed and the sentence passed. Shiloh means Peace-Giver. What a fragrant name for our Lord! What wonder that He shall gather the nations to His cross and throne! [source]

Chapter Summary: Genesis 49

1  Jacob calls his sons to bless them
3  Their blessing in particular
29  He charges them about his burial
33  He dies

What do the individual words in Genesis 49:3 mean?

Reuben my firstborn you [are] my might and the beginning of my strength the excellency of dignity and the excellency of power
רְאוּבֵן֙ בְּכֹ֣רִי אַ֔תָּה כֹּחִ֖י וְרֵאשִׁ֣ית אוֹנִ֑י יֶ֥תֶר שְׂאֵ֖ת וְיֶ֥תֶר עָֽז

רְאוּבֵן֙  Reuben 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: רְאוּבֵן  
Sense: the eldest son of Jacob by Leah.
בְּכֹ֣רִי  my  firstborn 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: בְּכֹר  
Sense: firstborn, firstling.
אַ֔תָּה  you  [are] 
Parse: Pronoun, second person masculine singular
Root: אַתְּ 
Sense: you (second pers.
כֹּחִ֖י  my  might 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: כֹּחַ 
Sense: strength, power, might.
וְרֵאשִׁ֣ית  and  the  beginning 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, feminine singular construct
Root: רֵאשִׁית  
Sense: first, beginning, best, chief.
אוֹנִ֑י  of  my  strength 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: אֹון  
Sense: vigour, generative power.
יֶ֥תֶר  the  excellency 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: יֶתֶר 
Sense: .
שְׂאֵ֖ת  of  dignity 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: שְׂאֵת 
Sense: elevation, exaltation, dignity, swelling, uprising.
וְיֶ֥תֶר  and  the  excellency 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: יֶתֶר 
Sense: .
עָֽז  of  power 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: עַז 
Sense: strong, mighty, fierce.