behold a son!, the eldest son of Jacob and Leah ( Genesis 29:32 ). His sinful conduct, referred to in Genesis 35:22 , brought down upon him his dying father's malediction ( 48:4 ). He showed kindness to Joseph, and was the means of saving his life when his other brothers would have put him to death ( Genesis 37:21 Genesis 37:22 ). It was he also who pledged his life and the life of his sons when Jacob was unwilling to let Benjamin go down into Egypt. After Jacob and his family went down into Egypt ( 46:8 ) no further mention is made of Reuben beyond what is recorded in ch Genesis 49:3 Genesis 49:4 .

These dictionary topics are from
M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition,
published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain, copy freely.