Unstable as water— Thou hast been unstable as the waters, Durell renders it, following the Samaritan reading, which according to his judgment connects better with the preceding verse.
Shalt not excel— The Chaldee paraphrase has it: Thou wast to have had three parts, viz. the birth-right, the kingdom, and the priesthood; but, because thou hast followed thy own will, as water spilled, thou shalt not prosper:" thou art deprived of that dignity which belonged to thee; for to the birth-right belonged, as is generally believed, two shares of the heritage, the priesthood and the kingdom; of all which he was deprived. The right of birth was given to Joseph, (for he had two shares of the inheritance,) Levi had the priesthood, and Judah the kingdom. See ch. 25: Genesis 49:31.
REFLECTIONS.—The dying patriarch assembles his sons, to inform them concerning their posterity. They come at his command, and he enjoins them solemn attention, as to matters in which they were highly interested. Note; (1.) The words of dying parents should deeply affect their children, and be long remembered by them. (2.) Though we cannot prophesy with Jacob, we can from God's word admonish men of what will be the final issue of their conduct in this world. They who do good shall go into life everlasting; and they who do evil into everlasting fire. Reuben, as first-born, is called; his birth-right, his excellence, and superiority are mentioned; but he is solemnly degraded into the lowest place; no judge, prince, or pro phet springs from that tribe; his crime is remembered to his confusion, and his unstable temper marked with indelible reproach. Note; Though sin may be forgiven of God, gross acts of lewdness leave a brand which is never forgotten among men.