Deuteronomy 33:6

"Though he must not expect to flourish ( Gen. xlix. 4 ), yet let him not perish." All the Chaldee paraphrasts refer this to the other world: Let Reuben live in life eternal, and not die the second death, so Onkelos.

Let Reuben live, and not die,....

Let Reuben live, and not die--Although deprived of the honor and privileges of primogeniture, he was still to hold rank as one of the tribes of Israel. He was more numerous than several other tribes (Nu 1:21;

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Let Reuben live, and not die - Though his life and his blessings have been forfeited by his transgression with his father’s concubine, Gen 49:3, Gen 49:4; and in his rebellion with Korah, Num 16:1-3, etc., let him not become extinct as a tribe in Israel. “It is very usual,” says Mr. Ainsworth, “in the Scripture, to set down things of importance and earnestness, by affirmation of the one part, and denial of the other; Isa 38:1: Thou shalt die, and not live; Num 4:19: That they may live, and not die; Psa 118:17: I shall not die, but live; Gen 43:8: That we may live, and not die; Jer 20:14: Cursed be the day - let not that day be blessed; 1Jn 2:4: He is a liar, and the truth is not in him; 1Jn 2:27: Is truth, and no lie; Joh 1:20: He confessed, and denied not; 1Sa 1:11: Remember me, and not forget thy handmaid; Deu 9:7: Remember, forget not; Deu 32:6: O foolish people, and unwise. In all these places it is evident that there is a peculiar emphasis in this form of expression, as if he had said, Let him not only not die, but let him live in great and increasing peace and prosperity. Do not only not forget me, but keep me continually in remembrance. He denied not, but confessed Fully and Particularly. O foolish people - silly and stupid, and unwise - destitute of all true wisdom.” And let not his men be few - It is possible that this clause belongs to Simeon. In the Alexandrian copy of the Septuagint the clause stands thus: Και Συμεων εστω πολυς εν αριτμῳ, and let Simeon be very numerous, but none of the other versions insert the word. […]

Let not his men be few - literally, “a number,” i. e., “a small number,” such as could be easily counted (compare Gen 34:30 note). While the verse promises that the tribe shall endure and prosper, yet it is so worded as to carry with it a warning. The Reubenites, occupied with their herds and flocks, appear, soon after the days of Joshua, to have lost their early energy, until in later times its numbers, even when counted with the Gadites and the half of Manasseh, were fewer than that of the Reubenites alone at the census of Num. 1 (Compare 1Ch 5:18 with Num 1:20.) No judge, prophet, or national hero arose out of this tribe. The tribe of Simeon, which would according to the order of birth come next, is not here named. This omission is explained by reference to the words of Jacob concerning Simeon Gen 49:7. This tribe with Levi was to he “scattered in Israel.” The fulfillment of this prediction was in the case of Levi so ordered as to carry with it honor and blessing; but no such reversal of punishment was granted to Simeon. Rather had this latter tribe added new sins to those which Jacob denounced (compare Num 26:5 note). Accordingly, though very numerous at the Exodus, it had surprisingly diminished before the death of Moses (compare Num 1:22-23 with Num 26:12-14); and eventually it found territory adequate for its wants within the limits of another tribe, Judah. Compare Jos 19:2-9.