"And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Reuben Meaning in the Bible
Reuben
boy
Reuben means "Behold, a son! See, a son!", a boy's name of Hebrew origin. Reuben appears in the King James Bible, and Genesis 29:32 is the passage most often tied to it. Reuben shows that good intentions without decisive action fall short — he tried to save Joseph through delay rather than boldness.
Is Reuben in the Bible?
Yes — Reuben appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 29:32.
Pronunciation:/ROO-ben/
OriginHebrew
MeaningBehold, a son! See, a son!
What does Reuben mean?
Reuben is a boy name of Hebrew origin meaning "Behold, a son! See, a son!". Reuben was Jacob's firstborn by Leah. His name reflects Leah's hope that bearing a son would earn Jacob's love. Though Reuben lost his birthright, he showed compassion by trying to save Joseph from his brothers.
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What does Reuben mean in the Bible?
Reuben means "Behold, a son! See, 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 2 key passages in the King James Bible, beginning with Genesis 29:32. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him."
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Which books of the Bible mention Reuben?
Reuben is mentioned across 3 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Reuben?
Reuben shows that good intentions without decisive action fall short — he tried to save Joseph through delay rather than boldness.
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Promises connected to the meaning of the name Reuben:
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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! See, 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 29:32.
Reuben means "Behold, a son! See, a son!." It is a Hebrew name. The King James Bible uses it in Genesis 29:32, 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! See, a son!." It appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 29:32.
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.