"Reuben said, Don't shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Reuben Meaning in the Bible
Reuben
boy
Reuben means "Behold, a son", a boy's name of Hebrew origin. Reuben appears in the King James Bible, and Genesis 37:22 is the passage most often tied to it. A complex story of lost potential and moments of moral courage.
Is Reuben in the Bible?
Yes — Reuben appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 37:22.
Pronunciation:/ROO-ben/
OriginHebrew
MeaningBehold, a son
What does Reuben mean?
Reuben is a boy name of Hebrew origin meaning "Behold, a son". Jacob's firstborn who lost his birthright but showed compassion by trying to save Joseph's life.
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What does Reuben mean in the Bible?
Reuben means "Behold, a son" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Where does Reuben appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Reuben is connected to 1 key passage in the King James Bible, beginning with Genesis 37:22. Each verse is quoted in full below.
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Which books of the Bible mention Reuben?
Reuben is mentioned across 1 book of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Reuben?
A complex story of lost potential and moments of moral courage.
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What names are related to Reuben?
Names like Reuben
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "Behold, a son" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Reuben
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Reuben
Download a printable name card with the KJV verse and meaning — perfect for Pinterest, Instagram, or a baptism keepsake.
Reuben name meaning: frequently asked questions
Yes — Reuben appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 37:22.
Reuben means "Behold, a son." It is a Hebrew name. The King James Bible uses it in Genesis 37:22, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Hebrew. Reuben comes into English from Hebrew and carries the sense "Behold, a son." It appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 37:22.
Common questions about the name Reuben
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Reuben?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Reuben?
You can read every verse where Reuben appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.