Tanach · Rishonim on Tanach · Sforno · Torah
Sforno on Genesis 49:4/ספורנו על בראשית מ״ט:ד׳
אאָז חִלַּלְתָּ יְצוּעִי עָלָה. אָז חִלַּלְתָּ כְּבוֹד אָבִיךָ אוֹ כְּבוֹד שְׁכִינָה שֶׁכְּבָר עָלָה עַל יְצוּעִי, וּכְנֶגֶד זֶה יְחֻלַּל כְּבוֹדְךָ וְלֹא יִהְיֶה בְּמַדְרֵגָתוֹ הָרִאשׁוֹנָה.
1אז חללת יצועי עלה, at that time you defiled your father’s dignity. Alternatively, Yaakov may have referred to Reuven’s act being a desecration of G’d’s honour. As an appropriate punishment, Reuven’s own status, which had been one of special honour, would be diminished accordingly.