Which shall befall you] what will be the fortunes of the tribes descended from you.
In the last days] RV 'in the latter days,' i.e. in the future.
3, 4. The prediction concerning Reuben. Reuben was Jacob's eldest son, but the tribe never attained to any distinguished position. It was situated on the E. side of Jordan, and exposed to many attacks from the peoples surrounding them. 'Even so early as under the Judges the tribe showed itself indifferent to the national struggles (Judges 5:15.), and it continued to isolate itself more and more until in the period of the early monarchy it had practically disappeared as part of Israel' (D.). See Deuteronomy 33:6.
3. Excellency] rather, 'preeminence.'