of the tribe of Reuben 46500] Though Reuben were the Arch-Patriarch, Jacobs first-born, the beginning of his strength, and the excellency of dignitie of power, as he stiles him, Genesis 49:3. (for that had been the priviledge of his birth-right, had he not forfeited it by his incestuous incontinence with Billah his fathers concubine, Genesis 35:22.) yet since he committed that offence, he foretold him that he should not excell; which may be meant divers wayes, and particularly by reason of the paucity of his tribe; whereby he is over-numbred by all his brethren but three, Gad, Asher, and Benjamin; and so some part of the curse of incest, Lev. 20. 20. came upon his posterity.