Ruben of Shechem
Eldest of the young Samaritan shepherds taken, along with his brothers Elisha and Isaac, by the thieves of Mount Adomin at the very moment they have just lost their father. The thieves threaten to kill the ten-year-old shepherd with them. They are narrowly ransomed by Jesus who brings them back to his refuge in Ephraim.[1]
His father, a stranger, had separated from his beautiful Family. Then, as misery set in, he became a servant and it was under these conditions that he died. At Jesus' instigation, their four uncles come to fetch the three brothers and the shepherd, who is also an orphan.[2]
Character and appearance
He has the Face of his father. His uncle worries that he does not have his Heart. He is rebuked by Jesus.[3]
Apostolic journey
His father was unbelieving and his mother faithful. He is evangelized by Jesus.[4]
His name
ראובן (Reuben)
Ruben (Reoubén) means "Yahweh has seen my misery" (râ'ah be'onyi) or "Behold, a son!" – Historical reference to the firstborn son Jacob had by Leah.
Where is he mentioned in the work?
GRM 553 GRM 554 GRM 556 GRM 557 GRM 572
Notes and references
Note: Quotations from the work of Maria Valtorta on this page currently use machine-translated text and will gradually be replaced by the official English translation. Until then, the official translation may be consulted through the reference link provided with each quotation.