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“Reuben, my ·first son [firstborn], you are my strength.
    ·Your birth showed I could be a father [L …and the first of my virility/vigor].
·You have the highest position among my sons [L …excelling in pride/rank/authority],
    and you are the most powerful [L …excelling in power].
But you are ·uncontrolled [unstable] like water [C often a symbol of chaos or evil],
    so you will no longer ·lead your brothers [L excel].
This is because you got into your father’s bed
    and ·shamed me by having sexual relations with my slave girl [L you defiled it by going up on my couch; 35:22].

“Simeon and Levi are brothers
    who used their ·swords [or circumcision knives; or counsels; or treaties; ch. 34] to do violence.

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