Numbers 26:5
Reuben was the firstborn of Israel. These were the descendants of Reuben:
What it says
Reuben is named as Israel’s firstborn, and his descendants begin to be listed.
What it is doing
It introduces the first tribal record.
In context
5Reuben was the firstborn of Israel. These were the descendants of Reuben: 6the Hezronite clan from Hezron, 7These were the clans of Reuben, and their registration numbered 43,730. 8Now the son of Pallu was Eliab, 9and the sons of Eliab were Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram. 10It was Dathan and Abiram, chosen by the congregation, who rebelled against Moses and Aaron with the followers of Korah who rebelled against the LORD. And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them along with Korah, whose followers died when the fire consumed 250 men. They serve as a warning sign. 11However, the line of Korah did not die out.