Testaments of the 12 Patriarchs - Reuben

The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs were written in Hebrew in the latter years of John Hyrcanus between 109 and 106 B.C.E. According to scholar R.H. Charles "their author was a Pharisee who combined loyalty to the best traditions of his party with the most unbounded admiration of Hyrcanus."

This is the testament of Reuben, Leah and Jacob's firstborn son. It is taken from the Charles translation (in the Pseudepigrapha). I have interspersed relevant Scripture verses from Jubilees, 1 Enoch, and Proverbs when relevant. Note: In the Charles translation Reuben claims to be 30 years old when he defiled his father Jacob's bed. However, Jubilees 28:2 and 33:1-5 says he was 21. His chastisement for his sin lasted 7 months, but his penance was 7 years according to Charles.

GWDF hopes that by producing these videos, you will be inspired to do your own research. This is the first in a series of narrations that will present the final testaments of all 12 of Jacob's sons.

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