The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 35:22

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

And it came to pass, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine:—an act of incest (Le Genesis 18:8) for which he was afterwards disinherited (Genesis 49:4; 1 Chronicles 5:1)—and Israel heard it.

The hiatus in the text and the break in the MS. at this point may both have been designed to express Jacob's grief at the tidings. The LXX. add feebly καὶ πονηρὸν ἐφάνη ἐναντίον αὐτοῦ, which surely fails to represent the mingled shame and sorrow, indignation and horror, with which his eldest son's wickedness must have filled him.

Now the sons of Jacob were twelve—a separate verse in the LXX; which is certainly more in accordance with the sense than the division in the text.

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commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 35:16-29EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 35:16-29These family records mingle well with the story of God's grace. The mothers "Ben-oni" is the father's "Benjamin." Out of the pain and the bereavement sometimes comes the consolation. A strange blending of joy and sorrow…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryMatthew Henry on Genesis 35:21-29What a sore affliction Reuben's sin was, is shown, “and Israel heard it.” No more is said, but that is enough. Reuben thought that his father would never hear of it; but those that promise themselves secrecy in sin, are…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Disgrace of Reuben. (b. c. 1716.)THE DISGRACE OF REUBEN. (B. C. 1716.) Here is, 1. Jacob's removal, Genesis 35:21. He also, as his fathers, sojourned in the land of promise as in a strange country, and was not long in a place. Immediately after the sto…Matthew Henry