Genealogy of Reuben^(A)

5 Here is a record of^[a] the descendants of Reuben, Israel’s firstborn. (He was the firstborn, but because he defiled his father’s marriage bed, his birthright was transferred to the descendants of Israel’s son Joseph. As a result, Reuben is not enrolled in the genealogy according to the birthright. ² Even though Judah became prominent among his relatives—that is, the Commander-in-chief^[b] will be his descendant—nevertheless the right of the firstborn went to Joseph.)

³ The descendants of Reuben, Israel’s firstborn, included Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.

⁴ Joel’s descendants were his son Shemaiah, his son Gog, his son Shimei, ⁵ his son Micah, his son Reaiah, his son Baal, ⁶ and his son Beerah, whom King Tiglath-pileser of Assyria carried away into exile, and who was a governor of the descendants of Reuben.

⁷ His relatives, listed by families when the genealogy was enrolled according to their generations, included^[c] the chief, Jeiel, Zechariah, ⁸ and Azaz’s son Bela, grandson of Shema, and great-grandson of Joel, who lived in Aroer, near Nebo and Baal-meon. ⁹ He also lived eastward as far as the entrance to the wilderness this side of the Euphrates River,^[d] because their cattle had increased in the territory of Gilead. ¹⁰ During the reign^[e] of Saul they declared war on the Hagrites, who fell in battle by their hand. They lived in their tents throughout all of east Gilead.