Jacob addressed his first prophecy to his first-born son, and clothed it, as he did all the following statements, in poetic garb. Hebrew poetry consists of a rhythmic repetition of thought rather than of sound and syllables. Arranged in poetic form, the blessing upon Reuben would read:

Reuben, my first-born you, my might, and first fruit of my strength; pre-eminent in dignity, and pre-eminent in power. 

Boiling over like water, you shall have no preference, for you ascended the bed of your father, then you defiled my couch ([which] he ascended).